Winter Skincare Routine

I get asked a lot what my favorite skincare products are.  Well, it really depends on the time of year.  My skincare routine changes with the seasons.

In the summer I’m more oily, and in the winter, I’m more dry.  Since it’s winter, I’m trending more on the dry side.  So, for now, my absolute favorite moisturizer is made by Skin Medica. The Dermal Repair cream is the one cream that if I were stuck on a deserted island and I could only pick one product to take with me, it would be Dermal Repair Cream, without a doubt.  It’s intensely moisturizing, super hydrating, and it’s high in Vitamins C and A.  Vitamin C is a great antioxidant, protecting my skin from free radicals and and the Vitamin E is healing.

Wintertime is also the very best time to correct the old summer damage you did to your skin.  My “go to” is Retinol.  I use a 1% Retinol  cream every other night. The one I love is made by Skin Medica.  I would start out with the lowest strength first and work your way up gradually.  Retinol causes a cellular genesis which is the rapid turnover of fresh new skin cells.   Many patients tell me they have a good Retinol cream or pad but they stopped using it because it “dried their skin out”.  When I asked why do they think it dried their skin out, they tell me it’s because their skin got flaky and tight feeling.  Well, that is EXACTLY when the magic was happening.  The flakes are dead skin cells sloughing off the face and the tightness is fresh new skin revealed. Instead of stopping altogether, what you should do is simply take an extra night off.  Be certain to wear your sunscreen though, as new baby skin needs extra protection.  Which brings up another favorite of mine.  I’m obsessed with Elta Md Elements Tinted SPF 44.  It’s  a 100% physical sunscreen in a tinted moisturizing base.  It is gentle for sensitive skin types and looks beautiful on your skin.  It makes your skin look like you have “the good filter” on.  A great face wash is more important than you think.  Choose wisely and be informed.  My absolute favorite face wash is another by Skin Medica, called AHA/BHA Exfoliating Face Wash. It’s naturally derived alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA) combined with beta-hydroxy acid (BHA) in addition to jojoba spheres that help exfoliate skin, reduce the appearance of wrinkles, and enhance skin texture.

Last but not least, to complete my winter skincare routine, my favorite collagen builder is the TNS Recovery Complex by Skin Medica. It rejuvenates skin, reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and enhances skin texture and tone.  This is so important for the overall appearance of your skin.  Ever see those girls who’s skin looks so dewy and glowing?  Well, it’s directly related to the amount of collagen they have in their skin.  Did you know that after the age of late 20’s to early 30’s, that you are no longer making your own collagen?  Yep, fact!  So, you need to do something to keep that collagen regenerated if having beautiful skin is important to you.  So, to put this all together in the order of application, you  would first wash your face in the morning with AHA/BHA Exfoliating Cleanser, then apply your TNS Recovery Complex, then your Dermal Repair Cream, lastly, your Elta Md Elements Sunscreen.  Your nighttime routine would be to cleanse, TNS, Retinol cream or pad (every other night only), Dermal Repair Cream for your moisturizer. Thats it.  So simple and will take less that 2 minutes because ain’t nobody got time for that.

XOXO ?,
Kelly
IG: @your_beautynurse