Winter-Proofing Skin Tips!
Familiarize yourself with these winter skin myths and facts
THE MYTH: The thicker the cream, the more moisturizing it is
THE TRUTH: Concentrated does not necessarily equal optimum hydration. The heaviness of a cream is often due to the lipids and emulsifiers in the formula, and sometimes heavyweight creams can leave skin looking dull while trapping dead cells and affecting skin function. Layering serums under moisturizers is often the best remedy. Serums are light, yet have super concentrated ingredients that are ideal for absorption.
Recommended Products: PCA Skin- Hydrating Serum, Après Peel Hydrating Balm, or Silk Coat Balm
THE MYTH: Don’t apply sunscreen in the winter as you would through summer
THE TRUTH: Winter, spring, summer or fall: if there is daylight, you’re still exposed to UV light and free radical damage. As a depleting ozone has led to stronger UVB burning rays, SPF is now a year-round necessity. A minimum of SPF 15 is suggested for everyday use, and skin showing the signs of aging or experiencing sensitivity should wear an SPF30. With cooler, drier weather, find a daily moisturizer with a broad-spectrum SPF 15 or higher to hydrate and protect. Be sure that when you are engaging in any outdoor winter sports such as skiing, or snowboarding, use a water/sweat proof SPF and…reapply, reapply, REAPPLY!
Recommended Products: PCA Skin- Hydrator plus SPF 30 Protecting Hydrator SPF 30, Weightless Protection SPF 45, Colorescience Sunforgettable Brush SPF 30
THE MYTH: Skip exfoliation so you don’t dry everything out
THE TRUTH: Quite the opposite! Exfoliation causes a burst in cell renewal, moving newer, moisture-rich cells to the surface. Exfoliation also removes old dead cells and dry skin, providing a smoother, brighter surface while enabling effective penetration of hydrating ingredients into skin. Just be sure to not over-exfoliate, as this will break down the skin’s protective barrier. Enzyme-based exfoliants will deliver results in a more gentle way.
Recommended Products: PCA Skin-Gentle Exfoliant
THE MYTH: Hot, steamy showers are great for skin
THE TRUTH: Even though they feel great on a bone-chilling day, hot showers and baths are extremely drying! Hot water causes a stripping effect to delicate barrier lipids in-between the cells; when the lipids are removed, essential moisture below evaporates out. Combine hot showers with irritation caused by winter wardrobe made of synthetic fabrics like nylon and polyester and you’ve got an itchy, irritated skin situation! Warm water is best for skin when used together with a soap-free body wash instead of a bar soap or anything highly perfumed. Bar soap or high foam producing, artificially perfumed shower gels will dry out the skin. Pat-don’t rub- your skin dry, and moisturize while it is still damn to help your creams penetrate.
Recommended Products: PCA Skin- Purifying Mask, Gentle Exfoliant, Body Therapy
THE MYTH: Oily skin types don’t need moisturizing
THE TRUTH: You can have oily skin and still experience dehydration, which is a lack of water in skin. This means even the oiliest of skin conditions should moisturize. Without added protection, barrier function (keeps pollution and other damaging elements out and moisture in) gets compromised. If your skin is super oily you can get by with a gel-cream or lotion formula. For true combination skin, use different moisturizers for different areas: A light formula for your T-zone and a richer one for cheeks that get dry, patchy spots.
Recommended Products: PCA Skin-Hydrating Serum, Clearskin, Weightless Protection SPF 45, Protecting Hydrator SPF 25
THE MYTH: For dry lips, just apply more lip balm
THE TRUTH: Exfoliation and moisture are KEY…exfoliate your lips twice a week to help prevent chapping. What are the best exfoliants??? Make your own by mixing sugar and olive oil or coconut oil, use a soft bristled toothbrush, or use a simple damp washcloth to gently exfoliate them, then treat with a light rejuvenating serum and seal it in with a heavy lip balm such as Rosebud Lip Balm or Vaseline. Doing this twice a week right before bed time will leave your lips looking plump and healthy. Nothing makes you look older than dried lipstick and chapped lips. Apply a lip balm or hydrating lip gloss over your lipstick, and be sure that it has an SPF, especially if you're going to be outside, because lip cancer is one of the most common lip cancers since your lips need more protection from the sun’s rays, just as your body does! Hold off until spring to resume use of lip plumpers and super long lasting formulas that dry out your pout.
Recommended Products: PCA Skin-Lip Peptide Therapy, Silkcoat Balm, Rejuvenating Serum, Gentle Exfoliant
A Soft Bristle Toothbrush!
THE MYTH: Let your skin hibernate and cut back on treatments
THE TRUTH: Winter is actually the best time to take care of your skin with professional treatments. Skin may need more help, especially for those with dry, sensitized, and rosacea prone skin types. Professional oatmeal masques are wonderful during the winter season, as are paraffin dips for hands and feet. Nothing is better than a warm thermal body treatment if you have dry parched skin! As legs, underarms, and bikini aren’t as exposed, this is also a great time to perform laser hair removal.
1106 Bigler Avenue
Northern Cambria, PA
814.948.5444
Evolution Medical Spa
of Northern Cambria Medical Center
