I’ve touched on some winter skincare products recently but since the weather has turned very frigid recently, I thought a full winter skincare post was in order. The colder temperatures, winds, lack of humidity, hot interiors, and travel all wreak havoc on the skin in the winter. I’m touching on my favorite procedures and products for the face and body, many of which could be used by men as well as women, to combat dry and flaky skin.

My first recommendation would be to get a facial with steam. You don’t actually even have to get extractions to benefit from steam to plump up and hydrate your skin followed by a mask specifically chosen to address your skin issues. I have been going to Mario Badescu since I moved to New York over 17 years ago. While there are lots of celebrity facialists in the city, you can beat the prices of Mario Badescu so you can get a facial once a month in the winter months.

We also tend to not drink as much water in the colder months so it’s important to hydrate which will also help with dry skin in the winter.

If you want to steam at home, this Dr. Dennis Gross Pro Facial Steamer is a great device. You could use it before applying your skincare products before bed once or twice a week or for a glow before a party.

I use the Mario Badescu Healing and Soothing Mask once or twice a week when I want to refresh my skin. It really is soothing and non-irritating. I follow it up with the Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant to help get rid of dull dry skin which happens more in the winter.

Exfoliating is also important for clear and glowing skin but not using those old fashioned grainy scrubs. Peel pads help sloth off dead skin cells. I use Cane + Austin 30% Miracle Pads but if you’ve never used peel pads, you may want to start at a lower percentage.

I use the Kiehl’s Dermatologist Solutions Clearly Corrective White Skin Brightening Exfoliator alone in the morning and with my Clarisonic with the radiance brush head in the evening. I don’t know if it actually brightens my skin but it prevents breakouts and keeps my skin clear so I still use it. Another option in the winter would be a gentle milky cleanser like the Chanel Lait Confort Creamy Cleansing Milk.

You may want to skip toner in the winter or use a gentle one but definitely don’t skip the serum step. I mentioned last week that I started using Joanna Vargas Rejuvenating Serum again. It’s incredibly hydrating and also has anti-aging properties. I’m loving it during these very cold days. Another ingredient to look for in products in hyaluronic acid since it “binds to and absorbs water, it gives a fullness and plumpness to the skin that we are constantly trying to replicate.” Dr. Barbara Sturm Hyaluronic Serum is a great serum to use in winter or dry climates. I’ve been hearing great things about Vintner’s Daughter Active Botanical Serum on Instagram and want to try it next. Dr. Colbert is a very well known dermatologist in New York favored by the fashion crowd. Colbert Stimulate – The Serum helps with collagen production and cell turnover which

For the last two years, I’ve been using a lot of products from La Prairie. I love their Skin Caviar line one of my favorite products is the Skin Caviar Absolute Filler. It also contains hyaluronic acid and is the best skin plumper. It’s one of the absolute best products I’ve ever used for traveling. The packaging does not lend itself to travel so I decant some into tiny pot. I slather my skin with it during flights and before going outside in the winer and I never get dry skin.

There is a reason La Mer is a classic. The Crème de la Mer Moisturizing Cream is a heavy duty cream that is another one I love for traveling and cold weather.

Chanel Sublimage is another great skincare line I’ve used and really liked. The classic Chanel Sublimage La Creme is a great heavy cream for cold winter weather too.

I use By Terry Baume de Rose Crystalline every day. I love it so much that I keep one in every one of my bags. I also hear great things about Lano and this Lano Lips Hands Allover Travel-Sized Essentials Kit looks like the perfect way to try it out. It comes with Everywhere Multi-Cream, 101 Ointment Multipurpose Superbalm, the soap bar, and Golden Dry Skin Salve.

Winter is also a great time to get a laser treatment. You shouldn’t do them in the summer since sun exposure will negate the effects. I’m having another Clear + Brilliant laser treatment with Dr. Virginia Wade tomorrow afternoon. I’ve been getting them about 3-4 times a year since fall of 2013. They’ve made a huge difference in my skin texture, hyperpigmentation, and the tightness arounds my jawline. There is only one night of social downtime for this laser but regular Fraxel might require a week or even two of downtime. IPL doesn’t have any downtime and it’s a great laser for hyperpigmentation and redness. There are also tightening lasers so talk to your doctor this winter about what you should be doing.

Laser treatments make you more susceptible to sun damage so you must use SPF after having them. You should use one every day and if you plan to go to the Caribbean or other warmer climates, take La Roche-Posay Anthelios 50 Ultra-Light Tinted Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50. This one is tinted so it won’t make your skin look white like so many heavy duty sunscreens. 

Winter is when I have more time for micro-current devices like Nu-Face and Ziip. I like the Ziip since it also has an app that helps you figure out all the programs that address different skin concerns. They are a great at home way to care for your skin in between professional laser and micro-current treatments.

My skin never looked better when I was diligent about using my LED light mask once a day. I now try to use the Skin Inc. Optimizer Voyage Tri-Light at night before bed. I love LED devices because they can be used over all your products unlike micro-current devices that need to be used with a special gel. The different colored LED lights address different skin concerns. Red light helps build collagen, blue light is used for acne, yellow brightens skin, orange helps with hyperpigmentation, and purple is anti-aging . My winter goal is to use Ziip in the morning and the Optimizer Voyage Tri-Light at night.

Experts say not to take long hot showers in the winter but let’s face it, they feel great. I’ve put together some of my favorite winter skincare products for the body to help prevent dry flaky skin.

I found out about dry brushing thanks to Gwyneth Paltrow and Goop. I always forget to do it but I’m going to try to get back on track this winter. Dry brushing is supposed to help detox your body when done before showering. It certainly feels invigorating and wakes you up. Make sure you follow the directions to brush upward.

I love scented soaps from Paris but in the winter I use Dove Beauty Cream Bar soap. It’s recommended by dermatologists and is very hydrating.

In the winter, you should slather yourself with moisturizer while your skin is still damp. Regular Weleda Skin Food doesn’t work on wet skin but the new Weleda Skin Food Body Butter can be used on wet skin. I keep the regular Skin Food tubes in all my bags so I can reapply while I’m out and about.

Winter in New York is no joke. It’s cold and dry outside and apartments are hot and dry. I started using Premium Triple Cream this winter too. While I love Weleda Skin Food, sometimes it’s too greasy. The Premium Triple Cream is meant for babies so it’s non-irritating and fragrance free as well as healing, soothing, and moisturizing. I prefer the tube to the tub since I think it’s more hygienic.

When I go to the CVS in my neighborhood, I would walk down the aisle with all the Gold Bond products that sounded very interesting for specific skin issues and were very reasonably priced. I started using the Gold Bond Dark Spot Minimizing Body Cream and  Gold Bond Ultimate Neck & Chest Firming Cream at night which both work great.

I also just started using the Gold Bond Overnight Deep Moisturizing Skin Therapy Lotion at night before bed and I swear I am sleeping better. I will sometimes slather on Gold Bond Radiance Renewal Hydrating Lotion after my shower and like it too.

You should also consider getting a humidifier if your home or apartment is hot and dry. My friend David Lawrence recommended the Stadler Form Humidifier to me since it’s the only non-ugly one on the market. They also have models in different colors and sizes if you need something bigger or prefer a different color than white.

Bon week-end!

XOXO,

HC