It’s the beautiful month of October (which is practically over already)! Fall is in the air and Winter is almost here! Maybe you still haven’t found the perfect solution to use for your skin during these harsher weather months. Are you already tired of your dry, rough and textured skin just thinking of it? We’ve all been through those days when our skin cracks, our face hurts and a smile shows all the imperfections rather than your zest for life. Believe me it happens.
I can be difficult to maintain healthy, glowing, clear, smooth skin when you may be staying awake until midnight resulting in dark circles under our eyes, going out in the sun results in a tan with unwanted hyperpigmentation or just not spending the extra few minutes in your routine to give your face the attention it needs. Or maybe you just do not know what to do and if you did, you would. Right. Is it really too hard to get smooth, even skin?
The answer is NO, but great skin requires some effort and consistency in your daily and weekly routine.
We attempt to try each new face wash, sunscreen, moisturizer, serum or anti-aging cream that hits the market on the off chance it will improve our ‘problem’ skin. So in this cold and sometimes windy season let’s look out for some solutions that we can go for:
In any case, it is not an overnight supernatural occurrence. But there are few Dos and DONTs you should follow to reach your #SKINGOALS.
- The Ultimate Rule:
Do, beyond any doubt remove your make up every night before going to bed and start with a fresh clean slate in the morning before hitting the streets. Your pores need to breathe overnight. Clogged pores create congestion and will exacerbate acne that you otherwise would not have to deal with. Cleansing oils are great option for easily removing makeup as a first step in your facial cleansing routine, then follow up with a cleanser to cleanse the skin. Retinol is a girl’s (and a guy’s too) best friend, using it 2-3 times a week will clear congestion and eliminate fine lines and wrinkles by assisting in the exfoliate of dead, dry skin that does not come off with mechanical exfoliation (facial scrubs) alone. I love my Retin A or Retinol which are miracleworkers, however Retinol is less strong but you can use it more often without as much irritation you can get from the stronger prescription version (AKA Trenitoin) AND you do not need a physician prescription for it. I currently use Epicuren’s Retinol Anti-Wrinkle Complex, in addition to my prescription Retin-A
- Your skin is what you eat:
I am not a nutritionist or dietician, however as a lover of beauty inside and out, knowing about food and its effects is imperative to maintaining good skin and health. Your skin can and will reflect what is happening on the inside. Do: Keep a note of what you put on your plate. Eat plenty of whole foods like leafy greens, vegetables, adequate protein, good fats and fruit and less processed foods and sugar. An eating regimen rich in vitamin C and low in fats and sugar advances brilliant skin. I know it can be difficult, I am with you on that but once you get the mind set and commit to it, I realize there is less difficulty and you actually feel better, have less ‘bad’ cravings and become more in control and in line with a happier healthier stance on life. Not to mention you will look so good by the time Thanksgiving and Christmas roll around!
Lastly, for Fall/Winter specifically, one should focus more on their skin by:
- Moisturizing it with quality moisturizers depending on your skin type. Dry skin can use creamier moisturizers, while oily skin should use something less thick and creamy to minimize breakouts. Apply different facial masks like pumpkin masks, hydrating masks that exude the fall months (pumpkin, apple, Epicuren, Peter Rothman has a mask, look on Zoe Report and Polyvore). To remove, use a warm towel but not too hot, that it irritates sensitive skin or skin that is post an exfoliating mask like a pumpkin peel (cool towel) or glycolic.
- Apply toner, which balances your skin’s PH level, muy importante. Follow up with a moisturizer and SPF after your AM cleanse. As a last step after moisturizing, preferably at night while your skin is regenerating, hydrate with Hyaluronic Acid, a substance also found in the body, which lubricates dehydrated skin (regardless whether you have dry, normal, combo, sensitive or oily skin, it can be dehydrated). It will plump and minimize those fine lines that show up with dehydration.
Happy skin for Fall!
Live life in style! XO, Lysandra
Any awesome tips, pointers or products you would like to add? Questions? Let me know in your comments below and please follow my blog by entering your email to the right of this post. Your support is beyond appreciated!
Esthetician & Beauty Expert 