by Linda Chaé

Winter brings real challenges to healthy, glowing skin to say nothing of the insults to sensitive, dry, delicate skin. After the balmy fall days, winter arrives with cold winds and snow – along with hot, dry air blowing from your home furnace or car heater. The season is filled with extremes…including the low humidity which is common in many parts of the U.S. and Canada, high winds, and colder temperatures. These extremes can cause dry, irritated skin which may lead to eczema and other skin diseases. But there are solutions to making your skin feel more comfortable during winter or anywhere you encounter dry air. Many of these suggestions are just common sense and only take a moment to incorporate into your lifestyle.

1. Use a Humidifier. The air your home or in your car can become very dry in the winter, magnifying the dryness and itching of eczema. Use a humidifier to replace moisture in the air. You can purchase relatively inexpensive humidifiers at your local drug store. Running two in your home (and one in your bedroom at night) will help humidify the dry indoor air and keep your skin more moist. You also can just boil water and enjoy the added moisture in the air from the steam.

2. Switch to Vitality Serum and Moisturize Frequently. Seasonal serums and moisturizers contain ingredients to effectively protect against moisture loss and add nutrition to your skin. Chaé has created a special winter treatment, Vitality Serum, with all of these added benefits… whether your skin is delicate or not.

• Helps skin trap 7 times more moisture with unique safflower oil olisomes. Studies show these unique molecules are effective in treating eczema and psoriasis.

• Provides high and low weight Hyaluronic Acid (HA). Binds 1,000 times its weight in water for plumping, firming and maintaining lubricating moisture. HA easily penetrates skin’s surface with increased water absorption to assist in diminishing wrinkles and treating dry, damaged skin.
   
• Provides healing oils, such as Açai Oil; an almost perfect essential amino acid complex (Omega 6 and Omega 9 ) in conjunction with valuable trace minerals for cellular regeneration. Excellent for anti-aging and revitalizing properties. Açaí Oil is rich in Phytosterols that regulate the balance and activity of lipids in the various layers of the skin. Açaí Oil has twice the amount of potent Anthocyanin antioxidants as blueberries and 50% more than pomegranates.

3. Layer Up. Chaé’s moisturizers all have different purposes and moisturize / hydrate in multiple ways. CoQ10 Moisturizer is a rich, versatile moisturizing treatment useful year round. When layered over Vitality Serum, it provides an exceptional solution for round the clock care for dry skin. Remember, you can get very dry overnight as the pillow and sheets rub away some of your moisture protection. Silver Glacier Lotion is loved by normal skin types and those with easily irritated skin. Men tend to love this lotion after shaving and for its light, invisible feel. Another way to layer up is with layers of clothing as well as moisturizers. Layers trap heat and humidly. Wearing several layers of clothing will allow you to shed layers to prevent overheating. Wear loose-fitting cotton fabrics next to your skin. Shed any wet clothing or shoes to prevent irritation.

4. Remember Your Sunscreen Before Going Outdoors in Winter. Chaé’s new safe4u™ SPF 15 Sunscreen will provide protection for your face, hands and any other exposed skin. It’s especially important if you spend considerable time outdoors – skiing, skating, walking or working. safe4u is just as important in winter as during the rest of the year. Remember that the sun’s reflective powers are great year round - 17% on the sand and 80% on the snow! Chaé’s Sunscreen is so luxurious and moisturizing, it will serve as an extra-moist layer of protection against the cold and wind as well the sun.

5. Stay Hydrated. Just as external protection against the cold, harsh winter weather is important, so is your internal wellness. Remember to drink lots of liquids during winter weather, even when you don’t feel thirsty. It is very easy to become dehydrated, a factor that can affect the health and function of your skin.

6. Maintain Your Normal Skin Care Regimen. When life becomes especially hectic, it is important to maintain a normal skin care regimen. Using organic skin care products ideal for your skin type and the seasons establishes a healthy foundation for youthful looking skin. Your regimen may include not only organic skin care, but also some of these essentials:

• Maintain a healthy diet with plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables to feed your entire body. 

• Use natural organic body care products like the pure, Wild Thing (I think I Love You) Shower Gel for the best and most moisturizing bath / shower time ever. Remember to keep water tepid to avoid drying out your skin and pat dry after your bath. Apply any one of Chaé’s luxurious body butters to damp skin to seal in precious moisture after bathing. 

• And by all means, add a Salt Scrub once a week to create a relaxing in-home spa treatment. All natural ingredients assist your skin to return to optimal performance. It provides stimulation to lymphatic systems to clear away inner congestion while delivering oxygen and vigor. A refreshed, moisturized glow will make your skin feel radiant. By exfoliating away the dead skin layer, your skin will have a greater capacity for absorbing moisture. The rich coconut oil will protect your skin and it will look and act youthful. 

• Cleanse and moisturize your face morning and evening with natural, organic skin care products to retain smooth, beautiful skin . Nutra Cleanser has been improved to give dry and sensitive skin even greater care! Remember, cleansing with a detergent or soap based cleanser strips your skin. 

• Engage in your favorite exercise to stimulate and invigorate your whole body. Your skin will glow from additional oxygen and blood flow. You’ll relieve some stress and generate happy endorphins. 

• Relax and enjoy the day … and let the stress from daily living melt away. Most of us don’t realize that stress can affect our skin in a number of ways. . .including depleting Vitamin C, HA, and other nutrients which can then lead to fine lines and wrinkles on our face and neck.
  
  Once you find the right organic skin care for any season, you’ll be on the path to caring for YOUR skin for a healthy glow and an ageless appearance.