Always Tried & Tested by Yours Truly
It’s that time of year when your skin loses its luster by getting that dull, dry look from hours spent in indoor heating. Once that dry indoor heat kicks in, it’s all downhill for your skin, well at least till the end of March. But between the dry air indoors and snowy, windy weather, your complexion can take a serious beating. But there are tricks you can use to keep your skin glowing and hydrated.
Dull winter skin is most often a result of dehydration — both the inside and outside. So take it easy with the alcohol and coffee (both of which leave skin parched). I know because I’m a total coffee addict! Stick to water, green tea, and naturally flavored water drinks to replenish throughout the day. If you see my AM routine on Instagram you know I have my lemon water errrday. I never skip a day.
Make sure you get yourself a humidifier and place it in the room where you spend most of your time, which, in many cases, is the bedroom and office. A humidifier increases the moisture level in the air, helping the skin’s barrier stay hydrated. Make sure the heat is kept on low or at a moderate temperature to avoid extra dryness in the air.
I consulted with my go-to aesthetician, Carmel at Renew Skincare Spa to narrow down some of the top requested winter facials, which I’ve had done as well over the years. She doesn’t believe in harsh peels or abrasive treatments and wasn’t too thrilled when I had confessed I had done 2 rounds of Fraxel last year but…whatevs..it was a personal decision. I needed it! Her treatments only remove compromised, dead skin cells to help reveal the skin you have underneath making it safe & gentle. I run from any aesthetician that is performing deep extractions that cause swelling & redness.
Facial Frequency:
The magic number is — drumroll, please — once per month. I know…hard to keep up..not to mention expensive. But so worth it if you’re looking for serious results and maximum benefits. This all really depends on skin type, skin condition, age, budget, and most importantly skincare goals.
Disclaimer:
Get real…There’s no miracle in one facial and nothing you do at home can replace professional attention. Yes, there’s still plenty you can and should do at home that can keep your skin looking its best. Also, your skin is doing different things depending on the season and depending on your lifestyle.
FACT:
The skin cell turnover cycle is 28 days long. That’s why facials are recommended once a month but there are exceptions to that rule, so be sure to consult your dermatologist and/or aesthetician!
Top Five Facials for the Winter Blues
VIP Facial – customized facial which includes a thorough skin analysis to determine your skin type, a 4-step deep cleanse, a personalized peel according to your skin needs, mild extractions, a 20-minute session of the LED light panels to reduce inflammation, and finish off with deeply moisturizing alginate mask. Around $325
The Rewind – For dryer, aging skin, this facial includes a 4-step cleanse and a series of peels to help brighten up drab wintertime skin. Finish off with the cooling Alginate mask for a smooth and moisturized skin. Around $275
Vitamin C-U Later Sunspots – This hydrating facial specifically helps with sun-damaged skin with a 4-step cleanse and a DermaConcepts Skin Scrubber. The Vitamin C peel will leave your skin looking bright and dewy like it does in the summertime. Around $250
The TLC Facial – For sensitive skin and rosacea, the lactic acid peel helps gently exfoliate and hydrate the skin. Following up with the alginate mask helps drive that moisture further into the skin. Around $150
The Problem Solver – For problematic or acne-prone skin, this treatment involves a series of peels that help clear compromised skin cells and soothes with the cooling hydration of the alginate mask. Around $150
Microdermabrasion
This is a non invasive procedure that exfoliates and removes the superficial layer of dry, dead skin cells. This machine can buff and polish the skin using a stream of fine crystals or a diamond tip. Some systems have suction to vacuum loose skin cells from the face. Something I do a few times a year without fail. Around $150
Book your appointment with Carmel @ Renew Skincare NYC (212) 452-1012 and receive a 10% discount with the code WINTERFACIAL.
Please present this e-mail at your treatment!