WINTER SKIN PART - 2

I became so charged up about winter and how it wreaks havoc on your face, body & hair that I couldn't stop coming up with suggestions. Lucky for you, I split the post into 3 sections. This one is going to focus on the body.

Ok, so here it is, winter product suggestions and tips for the body.

First of all, try to limit the amount of time you spend showering or bathing............. let me re- phrase that. Please shower, just limit the time you spend IN the shower, hot water will strip your skin of much needed moisture. What I do is try to slowly lower the temp so that I do not really notice and then I try my best to speed things up.

CLEANSING
While in the shower, I only use soap where needed and just use plain water everywhere else.
I have tried every body wash out there and always return to a bar soap.


Dove Beauty Bar - Sensitive Skin is the best one. It is moisturizing and fragrance free. Comes in the white box with green outline, you can get it at most grocery stores and drug stores.


SHAVING
I know this is a serious no no, but I do sometimes use soap to shave. For some reason I haven't really explored the world of shaving creams yet. I did try a really nice sample of one from Kiehl's, but never went out and bought it. I also use conditioner but only when I have a spare bottle that I don't really like. This actually works amazing and creates the perfect amount of slip. The other thing to consider when shaving is obviously the razor. Do not use a razor that has more than 3 blades, they do not work as well and are more irritating to the skin.

My big tip to get the closest shave sounds kind of crazy but it works really well............I shave with goosebumps, not my armpits though, they are too sensitive, only my legs. What I do, is turn the temperature really cold for a couple of seconds and then turn it back up. This gives me goosebumps and then I shave. I figured this out at my cottage, one time we ran out of hot water and I shaved over goosebumps and my legs were so smooth.

EXFOLIATION
Make sure to exfoliate your body once or twice a week, especially in the winter for the same reasons that you need to exfoliate your face (see previous post). Dry skin flakes clog the pores and prevent your moisturizer from absorbing. Exfoliating your body will also help smooth the texture of your skin. In the winter I get tiny bumps on some parts of my body and this step really helps.

Do not shave the same day or days of the week that you exfoliate, it will be too irritating and you may get a rash. Below I will list a bunch of scrubs that I have used that I really like. *As for as my famous home made recipe, I have decided to create some suspense and post it at a later date.............stay tuned!!

Laura Mercier Creme Brulee Sugar Scrub $65, this scrub is one of my favourites, but is pretty expensive when I consider how fast I go through scrubs, I like to spread on a really thick layer. This product smells so amazing you really feel like you are eating dessert and your skin is soooooooo smooth afterwards. I buy all my Laura Mercier products at Holt Renfrew.


Aquathermale Exfoliating Body Scrub $32, I love the texture and scent of this scrub. It contains 2 different sizes of perfectly round scrubbing beads that are so small that they buff and polish extremely well. The smell of this one is not sweet like the first one it is more like you are on the beach, it has that fresh ocean spa smell, very nice. I buy it at Shoppers Drug Mart.


Bliss Hot Salt Scrub $36, This has been a favourite of mine for years, I always come back to it. The texture is great, very thick and full of salt scrubbing power. It contains a self heating formula and eucalyptus and rosemary oils which are very invigorating. I get it at Sephora and I believe Delineation still carries this line too.


Moisturizer
This is such an important step especially in the winter to help sooth dry, chapped, uncomfortable skin. When getting out of the shower I only pat my skin dry and try to leave it moist, then I apply the moisturizer right away to lock in the water.

La Roche - Posay Lipikar Baume $23, is the best and strongest moisturizer I have ever used with out being greasy. It is definitely heavy, I would never use it in the summer, but it is perfect for the winter. Formulated for very, very, dry skin in adults and children and it is paraben free. Get it at Shoppers Drug Mart.


Next post, I will reveal my favourite hydrating hair products.

Krista