How I protect my skin from the winter chill ❄️ Sheesh! Febrrrruary is known to be the coldest month (at least up north 🇨🇦). Winter can surely wreak havoc on a glowing complexion. Frozen temps means low humidity which equals to dull & dry skin, aggravated acne, caked-up makeup, discomfortingly tight and irritated epidermis. Eeek. In a very animated beauty-involved convo a friend asked me how I care for my dermis during the heavily frosty period. This impassioned exchange birthed this little wintertide defense regimen post. Here are a few of my go-to beauty tips and tricks as we are (finally!) getting on the last leg of winter man ⛄️ Biotherm's Biosource Daily Exfoliating Cleansing melting gel is one of my secret care weapon. Enhanced with seriously re-energizing plankton (skin conditioner) and golden algae (brightening and firming properties), the melt-on-the-skin gel dislodges impurities quickly but ever so mildly. It is surprisingly indulging for a scrub, thanks to its tiny mini micro-beads. Plus it is sensitive skin friendly! This botanical scented babe leaves my visage so fresh and so clean, clean! During my forced hibernation, I created a robust moisture barrier system. First up is my serum. *Estée Lauder's Perfectionist Pro Rapid Firm + Lift Treatment Acetyl Hexapeptide-8 recently made its way to my heart {and my face}. The dreamiest multi-targeted skin re-texturizer. This guy carries a powerful blend of actives, including its star ingredient, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8. Its job is to resurface, rebuild and refill the look of facial contours. It promotes the skin's natural proteins and lipids as well. Plus it contains hyaluronic acid, a powerful humectant (aka moisture-binding ingredient) that keeps the skin plump, hydrated and, yes, young-looking. It attracts and holds on to water before pulling it from the environment into the skin. So logically, I glob it on my face, neck and decollete. It sinks in quite rapidly but deeply. I really enjoy its tightening sensation as it seeps through. After just a few days my skin's touch, appearance and grain has definitely improved. Its fresh floral scent makes it so enticing to use. Another one of my hacks for braving the cold is my two-step layering process. I go for my hydration arsenal first. The big poppa. I can always count on good ol' *Marcelle ultra gentle moisturizing cream for the cool but not-so-cool climate. It was designed to reduce irritation in atopic skin. So you already know it is, as its moniker indicates, as nice as a penguin🐧 A dream cream that delivers comforting moisture while strengthening my skin's natural coat and protecting it from dehydration and daily aggressors i.e. savage chilliness that can cause dryness, peeling, flaking, fine lines emphasis and irritation. This pup is gluten-free, silicone-free, perfume-free, paraben-free, oil-free, basically trouble-free. A bulletproof formula that is non comedogenic so it is an absolute dream for those with hyper sensitive skin! I wouldn't consider this brother as completely lightweight though. It is quite rich for my usual combo to oily skin but it works during the below zero temperatures as my skin wanders into normal-to-dry territory. Moreover, it's CDA (Canadian Dermatology Association) approved - they knew I wouldn't survive without it so they endorsed it..). All these features make it a great ally against the frigidness. I use sunscreen Year-round. Snow, rain, hails or sleet (sometimes all at once), SPF is an essential element of my winter regimen. UV rays are not our friends (premature aging, anyone? No thanks✋🏾) The sunbeams can be reflected by sand (ahhhh...) and snow (yuck..). Flurry reflects 80 % of the sun glint. Thus protection is mandatory summer and winter alike. That's why I rocks with *IDC's Hydra uv protect anti-pollution moisturizing cream, my moisturizer tag teamer. The Canadian Association of dermatology recommends a FPS of at least 15 for appropriate sun preservation. This puppy boasts a SPF 30 and it is a long-lasting moisturizer with outstanding protective built-in hydration joins forces with natural sun filters and an anti-pollution complex, for the complete protection of skin, where it intensely hydrates and nourishes to restore evenness and radiance. After I apply it my skin is soft, silky and most importantly, shielded. On winter my hands turn very *Snow White-Wicked Queen* dry. They truly look like raisins that the cold wind has sucked the life out of. Thankfully the healthy hands stronger nails cream from Vaseline intensive care is here to the rescue. This knight in boosting armor is infused with a keratin-enriched concoction that prevents from dampness lost, ensuring that my paws are smooth and hydrated. It has a very nice consistency, doesn't leave my mitts with a greasy feel. And has a very pleasant botanical fragrance. This guy is the perfect candidate for restoring weak and brittle, dry, ragged cuticles (I know you get scolded by your manicure lady just like I do💅🏾) I can already see an improvement after using it for a few weeks. I feel my nails getting more robust and they never looked so amazing! Blistex medicated lip balm with sunscreen is my pucker ultimate armors. It helps heal my severely dried, chapped lips caused by wintery winds. It contains a penetrating formula that provides both medication and moisture. The SPF 15 is really the ice-ing on the cake; a huge plus +++ in my book. My lips feel instantly relieved after putting it on. Affordable AND effective, this lip ointment goes on easily and doesn't get sticky or oily like some other lip balms. The minty smell isn't too overwhelming for an analgized balm. All of this Dimethicone, Camphor and Menthol goodness is wonderfully contained in a slick, emerald green lipstick-like case. A *purse necessity* for on-the-go touchups. My only gripe with it is the way it tastes if I accidentally lick my lips. But it's not the product's fault..shrugs. Bonus product. Throughout the year you want to apply your body cream, butter or oil straight out of the shower for maximum moisture retention. Welp, it is crucial in winter. Nivea's Firming Body oil locks the dewiness in like a champ. I've *already sang the praises* of this guy: rich texture, fast dry-down, leaves me with impossibly soft skin. A wintertime requisite. There you have it. My holy grail, no fail products for the war against Old Man Winter. WANNA KNOW: how do you face (!) the icy temps? Comment below! xoxo, Deb Disclaimer: Items were purchased with my own coinTs, unless marked with a (*) then these are products that were gifted to me at events or sent my way for review without any pressure for analysis, evaluation, critique, assessments or commentary. Thoughts/opinions are, as usu, my own (how boring to take someone else's ;P) Sources: herworld.com, goodhousekeeping.com, beautyeditor.ca, huffingtonpost.com.
