Inspiration for living a luxuriously and balanced life

Monday, November 5, 2012

Fall into Healthy Skin Care - What's your Secret?

The weather is quickly changing from comfortable cool autumn temps to cooler crisper temps, reminding us that winter is just around the corner. In our area sprinkling of snow like powdered sugar have started to arrive with early mornings.


Products that I have been using this past year that seem to be working ~ by the positive comments friends make about my skin.

Now that the weather is changing I will be looking for a light hydrating cream (I have combination skin - oily T-zone, drier cheeks) that will help combat the winter cold days that are just around the corner.


To ensure optimal protection and moisturizing of skin during the the cold months, it's important to replace the light products used during warmer months for a richer, thicker facial cream. The best face cream for winter should keep skin hydrated and prevent it from becoming dry and flaky. 

Skin type and sun protection also need to be considered when choosing a cold weather facial cream. People with oily skin can and often experience dry patches ~ using a light and hydrating cream will help  in combating this. Normal skin is not as impacted by the colder weather, still it requires a richer and more nourishing cream than what is used during warmer months. When the temperatures drop dry skin is the most affected and thus a richer and deep moisturizing face cream is the best choice for cold weather.

Our environment, poor eating habits, lack of proper sleep/exercise, aging and medications individually can cause havoc on our skin. If you are like me, "facing" a combination of these at any given time, you already know/understand how the effects of these show up in the skin's appearance. A preventive at home maintenance plan along with a seasonal visit to either a dermatologist or an experienced-certified esthetician are beneficial in achieving healthy looking skin.
Along with regular at home skincare maintenance, at the change of each season I book a deep cleansing facial with my esthetician

A Basic Facial includes:
~ Cleansing and exfoliation  
             -  stimulate cell renewal, remove dry skin, break down stubborn discoloration
             -  prepares skin 
~ Face, neck and shoulder massage
             - improves micro circulation to help bring new nutrients to the skin at a 
               cellular level
~ Steam
             - softens the hardened oil in the pore, making it easier for extraction and 
               deep pore cleansing.   
               Steam is also excellent for hydrating the skin provided a cream is used to 
               seal in moisture.
~ Manual extractions
             - manual removal is the most effective way to remove blackheads and unclog pores.
~ Mask
             - used to deeply hydrate and give the skin a healthy radiant glow.
~ Moisturizer (face and eye)
             -  Seals in moisture and adds a protection barrier from harsh elements.

A professional skin care specialist will analyze your skin, hear your concerns and show you how to properly care for your skin based on your unique needs and skin type. 

I have recently discovered the Oxygen Facial and am completely amazed by the results. An oxygen facial delivers oxygen, moisturizer, vitamins and antioxidants to the skin through an airbrush. The pressure and serum help to plump skin, which minimizes the appearance of wrinkles and increases circulation. Unlike traditional treatments there is no red blotchiness and make-up can be applied right after a treatment. Perfect to have done for a special occasion

Would love to know what you use 
if you change your skincare products 
when temps change from  warm cold?



15 comments:

  1. Oxygen facials are, to me, the best. I love them, but my facialist uses "bottled" oxygen in a tank, not just air, you know? If you don't use toner after clensing your moisture/night cream is not doing it's job fully. Remember this. Also, you can spray toner on your fully made-up face, it adds just a touch of moisture. I use Carita, cannot live without it, swear by it. Creme de la Mer is just too expensive for me, but I'm happy to know it works. xx's

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  2. Hello Celia
    I have a facial in the spring and fall but have not heard of the oxygen technique. Products I've used in the past are all that you've shown and then when I sold Mary Kay, I used it. It didn't work for my skin at all and now I've been using Avon Anew Platinum for 60+ for a couple of years and really like it. As a strawberry blond with fair skin, I had a lot of sun damage in my younger years when we didn't have the sun protection available now.
    Well, at least my face has character. :-)
    Judith

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  3. Facials are wonderful Celia :). I always enjoy the steamy room and the massage. Sounds like you have really done your homework with regards to skin .. and all that's important to keep the glow! Great picks here and I'm glad they are working for you:)

    Have a nice Sunday!!

    xx
    Leslie

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  4. Dearest Celia,
    Maybe I'm just a very old fashioned woman but I believe in nurturing the skin from the inside out. Avocado is great for that purpose and so are veggies and fruits. I've never used foundation but from Chanel I use the eye cream and day cream with sun protection factor. Also I've never exposed my face to the sun as such, always covered it with a face cloth when at the pool, on vacation. I cannot sit or lay still for too long other than with a book! I still use old fashioned water and soap for cleansing my face and so far I've done well with it. Eating yogurt also keeps skin smooth.
    But my T-zone has disappeared, probably as you also pointed out, the combination of medication. That does affect the skin and hair...
    Hugs to you and stay warm.
    Mariette

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  5. I just make sure to stay super moisturized in the winter. I've never had an oxygen facial..I'll have to try that!
    xo
    Sharon

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  6. i love the idea of an oxygen facial. i've tried many
    different skin care items, including all organic ones.
    i really love the idea of organic, but they don't quite
    fit the bill.

    i have had pretty good results with le mer serums
    and face cream for winter. this year, i'm having
    some trouble with overly dry patches on my cheeks.

    water, water everywhere but dryness on my face!

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  7. Hi Sweet Friend, Everything you share here is so important now and year round. I used to work in skin care as a consultant and makeup stylist so I know how taking these steps everyday makes a huge difference in the appearance of our skin and protection from the enviroment.
    One thing I learned a long time ago. Use a good cleanser but not one that is overly expensive as this step just gets washed down the drain.NEVER use soap, it is too drying and harsh. I prefer, Cetaphil for a gentle cleanser. Toner is an important step and second rinse using witch hazel works as a great toner and very inexpensive. However a good moisturizer is very important and I like Olay complete all day moisturizer with SPF 15 and use it under makeup. Lastly an eye cream used morning and night is most important and I like Olay's eye cream. At night I do the same steps except replace the daily moisturizer with Alpha Hydroxy Face Cream (this cream is inexpensive and helps to even skin color,tone and sluffs off old skin cells) after that absorbs I apply, Olay night cream.
    Once every week I like to use a facial scrub either Regenerist anti-aging or a less expensive alternative, St. Ives Apricot Scrub.
    I also find, not sleeping on the face helps to ward off wrinkles, eatng right and drinking lots of water.

    That's it for me, it takes no time at all and the results are great. And one more thing I might add, NEVER EVER Sleep with your makeup on. It ages the face by weeks trapping the daily dirt and enviroment.

    Thanks for sharing this post my friend. Everything we learn about the health of our skin is helpful.
    Have a great week and thank you for stopping by with your kind words. You always uplift me with your visits and it is a blessing.
    Hugs, Celestina Marie

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  8. Happy new week, Celia! I was so busy last week and then out of town over the weekend and I never made it to my friend's blogs to say hello and thanks for stopping by the Masked Ball post. This post of yours is SO inspirational ... I'm going to start your change-of-season ritual of a professional facial ... what a good way to look at it instead of just haphazardly. I've never received an oxygen facial, but have also heard great things about it ... that's also now one of the things on my list .. I'll have to try that one next! My skin is rather dry and sensitive, so I definitely need to keep it hydrated. A little extra antioxidant treat in the form of oxygen sounds like the perfect thing! Have a wonderful week, sweet! ~xoSandy

    SANDY M Illustration
    This week on Ooh La Frou Frou: "Dream World"
    http://oohlafroufrou.blogspot.com

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  9. The best advice I ever received came from my mom YEARS ago: always moisturize and always keep your face out of the sun so you don't develop alligator skin in your 30's (I was bemoaning [in my late teens] the fact that all my friends tanned so beautifully and I was white-white all summer long). Boy was she right. I always use a high SPF on my face if I have long sun exposure (swimming).

    I also pay attention to what Paula Begoun, the Cosmetics Cop, says about product claims because often the cosmetics industry literally lies and hands us a bunch of hooey about skin-care products, especially anti-aging. She has a "top makeup and skin-care products that work" page (I'll give link below).

    The very best thing is to ensure what goes inside your body = what you eat affects your skin. Drink plenty of water, too. I can swear by Krill Oil (I buy mine from mercola.com) as opposed to plain fish oil.

    I rarely change up my skin care regime because if it works, why mess with it?

    http://www.beautypedia.com/BestProducts.aspx?utm_source=bronto&utm_medium=email&utm_term=Image+-+http%3A%2F%2Fwww.beautypedia.com%2FBestProducts.aspx&utm_content=10+Retinol+Serums+that+Really+Work%21&utm_campaign=11.03.12+Beautypedia+Updates+-+10+Best+Serums

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  10. In the winter I can't live without Neals Yard Frankincense Cream. It's a drink for the skin, see here:
    http://www.nealsyardremedies.com/Frankincense-Nourishing-Cream

    I have also just discovered Dr. Jart BB cream which is a tinted moisturiser and more. It has great coverage, leaves skin glowing and I am so in love with it. I subscribe to Glossybox which is a great way to discover new skin care products. I also love Vichy Idealia moisturiser as a result of my monthly tasters.

    Stay glowing this winter!
    Di
    xxxxx

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  11. I've been dying to try an oxygen facial!
    I switch back to a pigment bar soap during the winter months (you can't use it in the summertime because of sun exposure) and I also return to a stronger acid cream for same reason. Make up wise I also go back to a mineral make up vs just a bb cream...not sure why but I'm ok with looking a little more "made up" in the colder months.

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  12. I make sure I use some decent face cream during the winter. CVS' store brand night cream is one that I really like. By the way...their hand lotion is the best I've found for my cracking fingers in the winter!

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  13. Lovely post Celia and never had an Oxygen facial (must look into it). My fav products are by L'Occitane (the Immortelle range which is gorgeous). I also use Liz Earle's range which wins Vogue beauty awards routinely. I'm trying to go as organic/natural as I can these days.LBDDiaries recommend Krill oil which I've just been reading about and will certainly be changing too.
    TYSM also for your lovely comments over at mine xx

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  14. A very nice post with lots of great information. It is so important to take care of your skin from a very young age and it doesn't need to be expensive products to be good. Thank you so much for the post!!

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  15. Interesting and informative post! I have been using Clinique products for a long time including the Clarifying Lotion. I tend to stick with this brand as it seems to be good for my skin type. In the summer I use their sun protection cream too. I do try other brands of body lotion but I'm wary of trying anything else on my face!
    http://missbbobochic.blogspot.co.uk/

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