More information about our 2007 Expo schedule coming soon!

February 2007

Winter Skin Care Tips

It may be a warmer winter than usual in Virginia this year, but cold, dry air can still take a toll on your skin. Most people make the mistake of thinking that winter means a break from their summer skin care routine. “Winter can present a pretty harsh environment for your skin,” says Vee Randolph, a consultant with BeautiControl, “Skin needs help to protect itself against redness and irritation that winter weather brings on, and it just makes sense to protect the skin from ravages of the sun, oxidants, and dehydration.”

In fact, the dangerous UVA and UVB rays are just as strong in the winter as they are in the summer; and snow only reflects more of those rays back at you. In addition, the lack of moisture in many homes and office buildings, due to electric heat, increases dryness, redness and skin sensitivity during the winter season.

But don’t worry, these skin dilemmas can be easily avoided or remedied with a few simple steps:

1. Moisturize often. Make sure to select oil- and fragrance-free products with an SPF 15 or higher. Whether you’re just going to the office or hitting the slopes, moisturizer will protect your skin from whatever the elements throw at it. Use both in the morning as well as at night. “Products formulated with Vitamin C and E, multivitamins for the skin have great benefit to diminish the appearance of lines and wrinkles while protecting the skin against sun damage,” says Vee.
2. Exfoliate at least twice a week. “Microderm abrasion products have deep exfoliating power to buff off old skin cells and reveal new, younger-looking skin,” says Stacy Atwell of Mary Kay Cosmetics. Exfoliate your both face and body, but not with the same product! Faces are much more sensitive, so choose a mask or a simple exfoliating cleanser that will work with your skin type. Salt scrubs or an exfoliating body wash work well for the body and can be used in the shower or the bath. However, do not go overboard with exfoliation – doing it too often can cause irritation – and use an intensive moisturizer on arms and legs after exfoliating.
3. Protect your lips. Chapped lips are an uncomfortable nuisance during the winter months, so wearing lip balm is important to keep lips soft and healthy. “A great way to pamper your lips is with a two-step process of exfoliating and moisturizing. These sets come with a mask for cleansing and then a balm for soothing,” says Stacey.
4. Don’t forget your hands and feet! Hands are also prone to chapping during the winter, so protect them with gloves and moisturize often. Take off wet socks and boots as soon as possible to safeguard your feet, and use a foot cream if necessary.

There are additional steps you can take everyday, beyond your beauty regimen, to protect and manage your skin in the winter:

1. Stay hydrated. It is important to remember to drink at least eight 8-ounce glasses of water a day. This should be done year round but it is especially important in the dry weather of winter.
2. Avoid long, hot showers. As good as a hot shower sounds at the end of a winter day, avoid it as much as possible. Very hot water strips the body’s natural moisture. Try to limit showers to 10 minutes at the most.
3. Use a humidifier. This is especially important because central heating systems tend to dry out the air in homes. Place a humidifier in your bedroom, or in the room where you spend most of your time in order to maximize its effectiveness.

If you stick to these easy guidelines, your skin will look healthy and glow as if it was midsummer (which isn’t such a stretch when it’s 70 ° in January!)

For more information or to find beauty products to baby your skin in winter, contact:

• Vee Randolph, BeautiControl · 804.344.8504 · b1flygirl@aol.com · www.beautipage.com/veerandolph
• Stacy Atwell, Mary Kay · 804.240.4416 · staceyatwell@yahoo.com · www.marykay.com