Fall & Winter-Ready Skin: Things That I Do for My Skin & Hair During the Cooler Months of the Year

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1) Don't assume that what you used during the warmer months is going to be a good fit for the needs of your skin as the weather cools down-- this is especially true if you live in a region with bitter cold winters. Really listen to your skin.

2) Exfoliate, but don't overdo it. It's important to remove dead skin cells so that your skincare products can penetrate more easily and more deeply, and therefore be far more effective. Over exfoliating should be avoided as it leads to thinning of the skin, not to mention unnecessarily irritating it, and making it much more vulnerable to the elements. Appropriately exfoliated skin will also allow you to use less of your skincare products-- thus making it more economical as well.

3) Face oils, anyone? Oils are such a great moisture delivery system, and while they aren't for everyone-- they are the gold standard for many people (myself included). There are so many different face oils to choose from on the market right now, and they are available from those economically priced to those in the upper tiers of the luxury price range- so they can accommodate every budget. Currently I'm obsessed with Sponge's Ladi Avokanto, but I am also sampling Rodin Olio Lusso-- which is really catching my fancy as well. If you are acne prone, and scared of face oils-- Suki's Pure Facial Moisture- Balancing is especially formulated for acne prone skin, and combination to oily skin types, and it is fantastic for those with sensitive skin. I used it for years, and it never caused my combination skin to break out.

4) Switch up your cleansers as you would shampoos. During the drier colder months try to avoid more stripping cleansers because your skin really needs to retain its natural oils. I rotate my cleansers all year round, but I am currently obsessed with Sponge Gel Katharistiko Wild Herb Cleanser because it is so gentle and hydrating, and it simultaneously deeply cleans the skin without stripping it. This is what is going to get my combination skin through the colder months- though I used it with great success during the summer as well.

5) Remember exposure to indoor heaters followed by outdoor cold air wreaks havoc on your skin- as it is given no time to recover from these extreme conditions (each being extreme in their own right). This is a good time to switch up your moisturizer in favor of something more nourishing and hydrating. You don't want your skin to look and feel like this, after all!! I always use a face oil as a serum, applied sparingly, beneath my moisturizer AM and PM. This leaves my skin super hydrated, soft, and with a gorgeous glow.

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6) Don't forget your sunscreen- just because it isn't warm outside doesn't mean that the harmful UVA & UVB rays aren't doing damage! Don't forget about your ears, neck, chest and hands- they need sun protection as well!

7) Speaking of your neck, chest and hands-- don't forget to moisturize them!! They will bare the brunt of much of your exposure to the elements, and will likely age at a more rapid pace than your face-- in large part due to the fact that we so often neglect them. Do to these areas what you do to your face-- otherwise your face can end up looking like it belongs to a youthful man/woman, while your hands, neck, and chest will look like they belong to his/her grandfather/grandmother. Use richer creams specifically targeted for these areas, or just something richer and more emollient than you might normally use.

8) Consider a nighttime serum to help reverse environmental damage and the ravages of time. Nighttime is when your skin naturally goes into repair mode- so giving it a little help can go a long way. Many active serums contain ingredients that cause photo-sensitivity, and for that reason alone should never be used during the day.  It's also important to use a high SPF sunscreen during the day when you add such products into your routine. When in doubt, consult your doctor or dermatologist-- I do that all of the time!! Sometimes a little spot on the face may actually be precancerous, or worse yet cancer. Therefore, before taking it upon yourself to treat pesky spots with over-the-counter products, consult with your doctor. One can do far more damage than good when applying cosmetic and cosmeceutical products unwittingly to cancerous or precancerous lesions or spots. When in doubt- go see a dermatologist, seriously. I have had numerous sun spots removed that would have eventually turned into skin cancer. Your doctor can also look over the ingredients in your serum and tell you whether or not they should be avoided. My doctor is quite used to this with me!

9) Don't forget your delicate eye area- it may require a slightly richer eye cream during the colder months. This is tricky for me since rich eye creams often give me milia- so I tend to look for moisture rich eye creams that are lighter in texture, rather than thick dense ones that generally cause me so much trouble.

10) Don't forget about your lips!! You may want to exfoliate your lips periodically, but gently. They will need more moisture than usual- especially if you plan to partake in some of the seasons on trend lipsticks. My trick is to always apply just a small dab of lip balm under all of my lip products. This locks in moisture, and when applied sparingly functions as an effective lip primer. I find that a more matte finish in a lip balm to be more effective (i.e. EOS Lip Balm and Suki Lip Repair Butter), however you don't have to rush out and buy yet another lip balm-- try using your favorite lip balm sparingly.

11) And what about that hair?! This is a good time to use a clarifying shampoo to remove all manner of product build-up, and then use your favorite deep conditioner to keep your tresses happy and conditioned during the cooler weather.

12) This is also a good time to exfoliate your body, and perhaps to switch from lighter lotions to richer ones. I like to exfoliate my skin, and then with my skin still slightly damp I apply an emollient rich body oil sparingly. You will be surprised just how quickly it is absorbed when your skin is still warm and damp- plus it's a great trick to use less product. They come in all price ranges- so there really is something for everyone. I am as obsessed with body oils as I am with face oils-- I find them to be a very effective and pleasant way of delivering superb hydration to the skin. If your skin still needs more moisture- add your favorite body butter or moisturizer on top, and you will immediately see and feel the difference!

What are your skincare and hair tricks for the cooler months of the year?

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