Winter Skin Remedies

Beauty products are a woman’s weakness because they are easiest form of instant gratification. Dieting is hard, work can be a drag, relationships are either complicated or nonexistent, and kids require 24/7 attention. But beauty, beauty can provide instant gratification, be it in the application of eye gel during a stressful moment, a spritz of facial toner during a hot flash, or an at-home peel for a quick chemical exfoliation. Which brings me to the latest favorites for winter skin.

The transition from summer to the brief fall to what is now the frigid season beckons a different skincare regimen. From shine control issues to dry skin from forced hot air, the seasonal change puts one’s skin on a rolling coaster ride. Clogged pores, overproduction of sebum, and breakouts amid dry patches all adds up to one happy season for drugstores, apothecaries and beauty counters. In addition to drinking more water and decaf tea, and running a humidifier, we recommend applying a light peel twice a week, adding an alcohol-free toner to the regimen, and using a rich hand cream after all the hand washing.

Part of us thinks UK probiotic skincare brand Nude Skincare should have a spot in an exhibit at the Cooper Hewitt museum. The packaging is dreamy, so dreamy it’s tempting to keep the bottle in your medicine cabinet even after the product has been fully exhausted. But, what is great about the AHA- and glycerin-based Nude Miracle Mask is that is packed with a host of ingredients known to both shed dead skin cells and nourish the dermis, from fruit acids, red ginseng and kaolin clay, to camellia and jojoba oils. If you’re skin is sensitive, leave it on for the recommended five minutes. But, if you are an addict to the peels, there is the option of leaving it on overnight, or during a long shower or bath. It’s the perfect way to gently rejuvenate skin, on a regular basis.

After rinsing cleanser and masks off, spritz with an alcohol-free toner. Opt for one with a base of either witch hazel, aloe juice or rose water. Follow with a serum and then a rich moisturizer.

The various colds and flu viruses circulating has made the makers of hand sanitizer (alcohol!) very happy. While it may help temporarily, we wonder about resistence to germs and ultra dry skin from excessive hand washing and use of sanitizer. That’s why we once again turned to REN, this time, for its Mayday Rescue Balm. Since it is a bit greasy, this is best for use at night, before bed. Whether you wear gloves for extra moisture, or not, this is an ultra-rich moisturizer that is great for hands, elbows and other areas prone to chapping, such as lips and knees. Plus, in addition to the rich base of shea butter, soybean, beeswax, and sunflower oils, it also has lactic acid, which helps to gently rid surfaces of dead skin cells. As with all of their products, this REN item is free of sulfates, parabens, and synthetic fragrances and colors.

If you are patient enough to go one step further, add the sauna and steam room to your gym regimen, preferably with a few drops of essential oil, such as eucalyptus. Finally, if you are prone to colds or sinus infections, invest in a neti pot.

Nude Skincare and REN products are available at Sephora stores and Sephora.com The Himalayan Institute sells neti pots.