Winter in Calgary can be particularly trying on the nerves and on our skin. Between traffic delays during whiteouts, a lack of moisture in the air, and drastic drops in temperatures, winter causes its fair share of havoc on both our stress levels and skin.
Dry winds and frosty weatherstrip the skin of moisture causing it to look dull, dry, get flaky, and become more irritable. Indoor heating also steals moisture from the air. Hot showers and baths meant to compensate for the cold, further rob our skin of moisture. It’s no wonder our skin gets dry in the winter.
Fortunately, there are measures that we can take to combat the cold and keep our skin healthy and glowing throughout the winter.
Here are some tips to keep your skin in tiptop shape all winter long:
Wash with Luke Warm Water
While a long, hot, steamy shower sounds like heaven on chilly days, staying too long and using scalding hot water to warm up steals precious moisture from our skin. Showering in super hot water and using harsh soaps strips our skin of its natural protective oils.
Frequent showering under these conditions also exacerbates the problem, as we don’t give our skin enough time to produce our natural oils and repair itself. Thus, come the winter weather – refrain from frequently taking long hot showers and instead opt for shorter showers with lukewarm water temperatures.
Moisturize
This one seems obvious however, we want to note that after washing your skin, pat it dry and follow up with a moisturizer while the skin is still damp. This helps to lock in existing moisture and keep the skin supple. Sculpt Aesthetics carries carefully selected and scientifically proven and formulated skin care products that optimize your skin’s health and moisture balance. If you’re looking for skincare products in Calgary – we’ve got you covered!
Exfoliate
Exfoliation is key for maintaining healthy skin all year long. Dead skin cells that accumulate on the skin cause it to appear dull and lifeless but also, diminish the effectiveness of moisturizing products because they do not have the ability to penetrate deeper into the skin and go to work. Thus, remember to slough off the dead skin cells in the wintertime, whether you prefer a mechanical or chemical exfoliant. Likewise, you can always book a facial peel or a 3-in-1 OxyGeneo facial with our team.
Cover up
Protect your skin and cover up this winter by wearing gloves and bundling up in a stylish scarf. Not only does it help to keep away the cold winds, rain and snow, but by staying warm it’ll keep you from furrowing your brow in frustration at the cold – which causes expressions lines to get deeper. No thanks.
Always wear sunscreen.
The winter sun is just as damaging as the summer sun. In fact, for those who hit the slopes on sunny days remember that snow is highly reflective. On a sunny day, clean fresh snow can reflect up to 90% of UV radiation which means a double dose of UV ray exposure – directly from the sun and the rays reflected off snow-covered surfaces. So as always, wear sunscreen!
Get Your Humidifier Going
Heating systems dry out the air and considering every place has the heater pumping in the wintertime, you’ll want to do what you can to get that moisture back. If your home’s heating system does not have a humidifier built-in, an inexpensive portable humidifier will do the trick. Putting one in your bedroom while you sleep will help to prevent your skin and eyes from drying out. Be sure to switch the water out daily as you’ll be breathing in this moisturizing air.
Fall in Love with Your Bronzer
Counteract dull looking skin and perk up that glow with a bronzer. Sculpt carries a full range of makeup products, particularly the award winning mineral makeup line, Glo™ which features superb coverage, UV and environmental protection and exceptional mineral pigments. Banish bah-looking skin with a blushing of bronzer to quickly create a refreshed and bright appearance.
Stay Hydrated from Within
Hydration starts from the inside out. In the cold weather we often turn to warmer beverages, doubling up on coffees, looking to lattes or teas, or hot chocolates to keep us warm us from within. A tall glass of water is not our first thought but it should be. Don’t forget to keep hydrated from within! Eating foods with higher water content can also help to hydrate the skin from the inside out. Be sure to feed your body and your skin the moisture it needs in the winter time.
Get a Hydrating Facial
Here at Sculpt Aesthetics, we are proud to offer numerous skincare, anti-aging treatments, and products to keep your skin in tiptop shape all year round. Our skincare specialists are well versed in various skin types, taking the time and attention to detail to prescribe a skin care regimen specific to your needs. Whether you’re looking to rebuild collagen, get a Hollywood glow, reduce the appearance of scars and/or wrinkles, we have the expertise, services, and products to help you achieve your skin goals.
Want to speak with one of our skincare specialists? Give us a call at (403) 453-0122 to learn about the full array of services we have or send us an email. Thanks for reading and happy winter!