How to Have Fabulous Skin in Winter: Part One

We are almost halfway through winter officially, but because this is the time when your skin needs the most attention, I decided to do a winter skin care series dedicated to taking care of your fabulous skin during this particular season.

I know it has been quite warm this winter on the east coast, but this does not mean you should avoid changing your regimen because the nights still get cold and this has a major impact on your skin. For Part One of the series, I would like to discuss your face.

The skin on your face is different, primarily because it is exposed to the elements more, so it needs special attention unlike the rest of the skin on your body. It is important to take care of your skin continually because it helps your skin look fresh and youthful as you age.

Whenever it comes to skincare for your face, I always recommend reaching deep into your wallet because it will cost you. All the products will not be expensive, but some of them will be. However, do not believe the hype that all products from the top department stores are the best because they are not always. I myself use Neutrogena’s Visibly Even and have done so for the last seven years. It is my tried and true moisturizer (raises hand to the sky).

Recently when I was discussing how I was going to write a skincare series, one of my friends from college was excited because she said my skin always looked “silky smooth.” It took me some time to make this happen because to this day I still have oily skin which used to break-out constantly until I started using Proactiv.

I went through almost every product on the market which was either too abrasive or left my sensitive skin dry. I then started using Proactiv, but still had some issues with my skin being dry until I used the Neutrogena in combination with it. I am not suggesting everyone run out and purchase Proactiv solely because I use it, but I am using it as an example to show how you have to find what works best for your skin.

Because the chemistry of everyone’s skin is different, different brands and products respond differently. For example, I love Clinique, but its acne cleanser was not strong enough for my skin, but I know people who swear by it. Determine what problems your skin has and then try to find a product which focuses on fixing your skin’s problems.

As we all know, the body naturally makes oil, but the oil your face produces often clogs your pores resulting in blemishes or it settles on your face and makes it extra shiny. As a result, this is why you should always use oil-free moisturizers on your face because oil is your face’s sworn enemy.

Few people know this, but when the skin on your face is dry, it may break-out in fine bumps. You may also notice you wake-up and your skin is really tight. These are all signs that your skin is dry and needs some special attention.

One of the simplest ways to fix this is switching your moisturizer. When it comes to moisturizers, you should have a different moisturizer for summer and winter to address the different needs of your skin during these seasons. Summer moisturizers tend to be lighter and let your skin breathe while winter moisturizers are thicker and supply more moisture for your skin. Some moisturizers work all throughout the year, but you will not know this for sure until you give it a try.

Whenever you try a new product, always give it about 45 – 60 days to determine if it works because it takes time for your skin to adjust to it. If you see redness, severe dryness, or develop a rash, I recommend you stop using that product immediately.

Keep in mind that dry skin is a serious issue, so if you have severe dry skin, please consult a dermatologist so they are able to prescribe you a medicated product to combat this issue. All the solutions I have discussed here are to help you if you have dry skin temporarily due to it being winter.

Skincare regimens are costly and time consuming, but they are necessary because they invest in making sure your skin stays fabulous for a long time. If you are unwilling to take care of your face now, you will definitely see the less than favorable results as you age. Make sure you take care of the fabulous part of you people see most by making sure they are able to see the glow you have inside of you on your face.

Because to be fabulous, you have to know what makes you fabulous!