Bundling up for winter is hard enough, but keeping your skin moisturized is a whole other project. This is because your skin goes through a lot, forced to experience harsh winds and dry indoor heating and becoming dull as a result.

I, for one, used to struggle to keep my skin balanced and glowing during this season. I had tried everything from extra thick moisturizers to serums that claim to intensely hydrate, but nothing seemed to work.

Over time, I realized this was happening because I was trying to alleviate a skin issue without understanding why it was happening. The most important thing you can do to combat a skin issue is to understand why it occurs in the first place. So let’s start by going in-depth on why dry winter skin occurs. That way, you can choose the best course of action and have glowing skin all winter long.

How your skin works

To really understand how the winter weather affects your skin, let’s quickly review what your skin is made up of. Your skin is composed of several layers that range in depth and thickness. The lowest layer is comprised of subcutaneous fat, which helps insulate the body so that it can withstand varying temperatures. It also helps with energy storage.  

The next layer up, the dermis, is a thicker layer that contains sweat and sebaceous glands as well as hair follicles. This layer is where sebum is secreted into hair follicles to keep skin moist and protected.

The outermost layer of the skin is called the epidermis, and it’s a thinner layer that serves as the skin’s protective barrier. The epidermis is where most of the damage occurs to the skin, especially during the winter.

What cold weather does to your skin 

The outermost layer of your skin contains the moisture barrier, which protects the skin from bad bacteria, environmental stressors, transepidermal water loss, and other possible irritants. But the drastic temperature changes we tend to experience in the winter can throw off the balance of this moisture barrier. The frigid air and harsh winds, combined with dry indoor heating and lowered humidity, create a recipe for disaster for the moisture barrier.

Think of your moisture barrier as a house that is made up of brick and mortar: Your skin cells serve as the bricks, while lipids serve as the mortar that holds everything together. The lack of humidity in the air, along with the lowered temperatures, can damage the skin by causing that brick and mortar to loosen and essentially strip the skin of its protective barrier.

According to dermatologist Kavita Mariwalla, this then results in “micro-cracks in the skin that show up as redness and irritation.” Plus, once it gets cooler, the water in your skin tends to evaporate quicker. As you can see, these processes make it easy to end up with dry, flaky skin.

How to combat winter skin

It’s best to reinforce your skin’s moisture barrier so it can better protect you from the harsh weather. Given that a healthy barrier is made up of a combination of lipids like cholesterol, free fatty acids, and ceramides, in order to protect it from winter’s unfortunate effects, you need to feed it what it craves — a lipid-rich moisturizer that keeps your skin hydrated all day long.

A great option is the Klairs Rich Moist Soothing Cream. It’s specially formulated to strength the skin barrier with a combination of ceramides, shea butter, and soothing rice extract. It also contains papaya fruit extract for gentle exfoliation. 

But your facial skin isn’t the only one that gets affected during the winter: The skin on your body can become just as dry and flaky. To keep your body supple and smooth, make sure to choose a lipid-rich moisturizer like the Klairs Supple Preparation All-Over Lotion. It contains shea butter, ceramide MT, and jojoba seed oil to deeply nourish the skin and keep it hydrated without leaving behind a greasy residue.

How to deal with redness

On top of dryness, the rapidly changing temperatures can leave your skin red and inflamed, which is another classic sign of skin barrier damage. According to Mariwalla, your skin can turn red because prolonged exposure to cold temperatures “vasoconstrict our blood vessels so the skin also gets less micro circulation”. Once you return to the warm indoors, “all those vessels vasodilate, [making] you look red,” Mariwalla says.

The use of lipid-rich moisturizers will help keep your skin barrier intact and protect it from environmental damage, alleviating some of the redness as a result. You can also use products with calming ingredients to soothe that red, irritated skin.

The Beauty of Joseon Calming Serum can do just that while replenishing moisture. This serum is formulated with centella asiatica extract, known to increase skin’s healing process and relieve redness, which makes this serum perfect for those with highly sensitive and reactive skin. It also contains panthenol to smooth and antioxidant-rich green tea to protect the skin from environmental stressors. Using a soothing serum along with skin-fortifying moisturizers will definitely help keep winter redness in check.

On top of that, don’t forget to protect your face and cover it with a scarf when heading outdoors. We sometimes focus so much on bundling up our bodies that we forget to take care of our faces. 

Bottom Line:

Winter is a tough time for your skin, but if you understand why it affects your skin, you can be well prepared to combat winter’s adverse effects. To learn more about how you can keep your skin soothed and glowing throughout winter, check out our winter skin care hacks.

+How does winter affect your skin? Let us know in the comments below!

The post What The Winter Weather Actually Does To Your Skin appeared first on The Klog.

It’s technically still summer, but the weather outside is already showing us that fall is following very closely behind. To combat dry skin during this time of year, many turn to a humidifier to supplement a hydrating product routine. But, can keeping a humidifier at your desk and/or bedside really make a difference in the state of your skin? We spoke with two dermatologists for more insights on a humidifier’s benefits. 

How can the humidity of the air affect skin?

Even if your skin feels the same all year round, the humidity of the air can still be affecting hydration levels as well as your skin barrier. When the air is more humid, there is little to no evaporation of moisture from the skin, which according to board-certified dermatologist Dr. Viseslav Tonkovic-Capin, keeps your skin more supple and smooth. Therefore, low humidity causes an adverse effect on your complexion.

“When the air is dry, water readily evaporates from our skin, which becomes dry and cracked – similar to the bottom of a dried out puddle,” says Dr. Tonkovic-Capin. If your outer skin layer becomes dehydrated, it can make the skin barrier less functional in its protection of your skin.

Low humidity can be even more damaging if you’re worried about signs of aging. In a 2007 scientific study in Japan on the skin effects of room humidity, volunteers had their skin conductance, elasticity and wrinkles assessed after acclimating to a high-humidity room, and then later again after being in a low-humidity room. The results showed that a 30% decrease in humidity could significantly reduce skin elasticity and deepen fine lines and wrinkles in just 30 minutes.

This is especially relevant in the colder months because not only is the air less humid outside, but central heating inside your home or office can have the same drying result and strip even more moisture from the skin. 

RELATED: The 3 Winter Skin Care Myths You Shouldn’t Believe

How does a humidifier help?

It’s common to use a humidifier to prevent these negative effects on your skin. But, how exactly does a humidifier work? “A humidifier is a portable device we can use to help control our environment,” says Vermont-based dermatologist Dr. Laura McGevna.“It forces moisture into the air and back into our skin, which helps seal the skin barrier.” Essentially, humidifiers emit water vapor into the air to improve the humidity of the area around it, which can slow down or stop the evaporation of moisture from the skin. 

Using a humidifier can be especially beneficial if you’re starting to notice the signs of low humidity on your skin, but also if you usually deal with dryness or flakes. Those with dry skin conditions such as eczema or psoriasis can even see an improvement in some of the common symptoms, according to Dr. McGevna. She recommends using a humidifier at night any time you turn on the heat, especially if you live in an environment that’s cold for the majority of the year. Dr. Tonkovic-Capin says you should also use one “as soon as you start noticing patches of dry or cracking skin.” 

So, do you really need a humidifier?

It depends on how much you think you would benefit from it. If you have naturally dry skin or it has been dehydrated and cracking from the cold weather, a humidifier can consistently increase overall hydration of the skin without the application of any skin care. It could also make your life a little more comfortable if you have dry patches all over, such as with eczema or psoriasis.

But if you’re not worried about low humidity or dry skin, adding moisturizing products could be enough to keep your skin soft and hydrated throughout the season. If you prefer the latter, Dr. Tonkovic-Capin suggests applying products with humectants, that “wick moisture to the skin.” Look for skin care products that have ingredients such as aloe, panthenol, or glycerin.

Shop three moisturizing products that contain humectants below!

The post Do You Really Need… A Humidifier For Your Skin? appeared first on The Klog.

Salicylic acid-based face washes are great for many people, specifically oily and acne-prone skin types, but for others, they may not be the best choice.  After my first facial in July of 2018, I learned that the face wash I was using for years was putting me into the “others” category. 
Since I did not have a basic education about skin care and had no idea about the various skin types, I decided that going to a facialist would be a good place to start. At the beginning of my appointment, I shared my primary skin concerns with my skin therapist: dry, flaky patches and spots of bright redness.
After examining my face and the thickness of my collagen, she concluded that my skin type is dry, which I was making even more dry with my go-to face wash. Even though it was a relief to restore some hydration to my face within a matter of fifty minutes, that was only the first step in the battle of reverting the several years of damage and lack of care to my skin.
RELATED: What I Learned After Over-Exfoliating With a Popular Product Caused the Worst Breakouts of My Life

My skin is now smoother, and more hydrated and radiant than ever.

The post How I Rehabbed My Skin Back to Health After Over-Exfoliating With Salicylic Acid appeared first on The Klog.

As a beauty lover and someone who works in the industry, you’d think the easiest question for me to answer would be,”What’s your skin care routine?”.  But because I’m constantly testing new brands and products, I don’t always have a good answer. My apartment is packed with basket after basket and shelf after shelf of different products that I’m constantly trying and experimenting with. My routine can change day in and day out.

My skin is also complicated. It’s incredibly acne-prone, but not oily. Rather, it’s bone dry as a long term side effect of my six-month course on Accutane. And given its acneity, my skin is also incredibly sensitive. So, my list of no-go products is pretty long.

But, despite all this, I do have a handful of favorites that I love and trust, and incorporate into my routine almost every day. Take a look below to find out what’s in my current rotation! 

 

 

 

 

 

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My Morning Routine

In the morning, I only use one cleanser: the Innisfree Blueberry 5.5 Rebalancing Cleanser. It’s gentle and has a balanced pH, and it has a great morning scent. I then apply two sprays of the Troiareuke H+ Healing Ampoule Toner. This high concentration toning solution is so hydrating and creates a perfect base for the rest of my routine. I follow that with the Drunk Elephant C-Firma Day Serum to help alleviate any discoloration and prevent sun damage throughout the day. To top that off I slather on my Innisfree Orchid Enriched Rich Cream, and then follow with the most important step, the Mamonde Calendula Everyday Aqua Sun Cream. These two are both super hydrating and keep my skin feeling supple all day long. 

My Nighttime Routine

My nighttime routine is slightly different. I start with an oil cleanse, using the Manyo Factory Pure Cleansing Oil. It’s so gentle and feels and smells amazing on my skin. In the evening, I swap out my gentle morning cleanser for a more aggressive exfoliating one. I love the Skin Medica AHA/BHA formula. I apply an essence after my toner, usually the Neogen Real Ferment Micro Essence for lightweight but powerful hydration. Then, instead of vitamin C, I use one of my many different hydrating serums so my skin has an extra dose of moisture overnight. Instead of sunscreen, I follow up my face cream with the La Mer Genaissance De La Mer Eye and Expression Cream, and seal everything in with the Round A’Round Green Tea Seed Oil. 

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Ben Neiley (@benneiley) on Jun 9, 2017 at 2:13pm PDT

 Bottom Line

I’ve found that this routine carefully addresses my diverse array of concerns – from dryness and sensitivity to acne and scarring. I’d guess if you ask me the same question three weeks from now, I’ll have a new roster of products I’m loving, mixed in with my classic favorites. But that’s the fun of beauty after all!

The post Step by Step: A Beauty Industry Insider Shares His Post-Accutane Skin Care Routine appeared first on The Klog.

“You’re likely far more familiar with caviar in the context of fine dining than of skin care,” notes Dr. Joel Schlessinger, a dermatologist at RealSelf.com. “Caviar is salt-preserved, non-fertilized fish eggs, and folks have been eating it on crackers longer than they’ve been applying it to their faces. However, in addition to being a delicacy in the food world, it would appear that caviar does have benefits for the skin.”

That’s right. It’s not just a fancy pants marketing ploy to get you to spread fish eggs on your face. Researchers have found that caviar in beauty products—which typically presents in the form of fish egg extract—can do good things for your skin.

FOR EXAMPLE, CAVIAR HAS ANTIOXIDANT PROPERTIES THAT PROTECT AND NOURISH THE SKIN, AND IT ALSO CONTAINS OMEGA-3 AND 6 FATTY ACIDS, WHICH MOISTURIZE AND IMPROVE SKIN TEXTURE.

Caviar is a highly effective moisturizing agent, in fact, and is primarily used to hydrate the skin and make it more soft and supple. Pair it with other ingredients that have been proven effective and you’ll find yourself with some seriously potent products.

“While marine-based ingredients like algae, salts, minerals and seaweeds have been used in skin care for decades, caviar has only become popular in more recent years,” notes Dr. Schlessinger. “In addition to skin care products, you’ll find many caviar-infused treatments on the menu at spas.”

While a trip to the spa is great, you can find caviar in so many beauty products. For example, NEOGEN’s Code 9 Gold Black Caviar Essence & Gold Tox Tightening Pack Kit contains both caviar essence and gold flakes, two luxury ingredients, as well as niacinamide, collagen and sodium hyaluronate. Together, these ingredients work to tighten and tone the skin while giving you an intense dose of moisture. It’s a real treat to use this product, not just because of the ingredients, but because I store it in the refrigerator and apply it a bit different than most essences—via soaked exfoliating pads. I especially appreciate the set of tweezers it comes with (along with the tweezer stand) which help to keep everything more hygienic. The whole application process feels very thought-out and refined.

It’s not just in face goop thought! Two other caviar-infused goodies actually come in the form of BB creams. There’s the MISSHA Perfect Cover BB Cream and SKIN79 Super+ Beblesh Balm VIP Gold. The former comes in a tube with a dispenser that helps you get every last drop out. It’s thick and creamy without being too heavy and provides a dewy finish with excellent coverage. Skin79’s caviar-infused BB cream is just as good. In addition to caviar extract, it contains gold and other moisturizing ingredients that nourish and hydrate while evening out your complexion.  

The post Ingredient to Know: Caviar appeared first on The Klog.

When your skin needs a little something extra, sheet masks are the perfect panacea. With winter in full swing, now is one of those times when that “something extra” is very much needed.

You can always count on sheet masks of any form to offer up a major dose of moisture. But because there are so many to choose from, and because some are superior at effectively targeting dry patches, rough texture, irritation, and other related skin issues that arise this time of year, we’ve rounded up four options.

Mediheal N.M.F. Intensive Hydrating Sheet Mask ($9.95 for four)

Why we like it: Created using innovative technology, this mask contains key ingredients that help maintain hydration levels of skin like hyaluronic acid and amino acids. These hydrating superheroes revamp the skin from being dull and flaky to glowing and soft.

What reviewers say:
“One of the best sheet mask I’ve ever tried. My face was fully hydrated and glowy (And the effect was still there 2 days after). I have really sensitive skin and I usually have reactions to sheet masks, but not this time.”

“A perfect pick-me-up mask for days when your skin is extra dry or in need of some love!”

Neogen Super Hydra Aqua Capsule Mask ($25 for 5)

Why we like it: This mask is like a hydration explosion. It comes with an ampoule capsule that you saturate the mask with right before use. This capsule contains nano-sized hyaluronic acid, which helps skin retain twice the amount of moisture than regular hyaluronic acid, plus ingredients like ceramides to deeply hydrate. The mask’s special fabric ensures that the ampoule effectively penetrates skin and fits securely onto the face.

What reviewers say:
“I generally have a problem with moisturizing my face but after using this mask a couple times each week my face was brighter softer and stopped flaking.”

“These sheet masks hydrate perfectly without overdoing it. They leave the skin supple and bouncy. The fit is perfect and they’re full of amazing essence.”

Klairs Rich Moist Soothing Tencel Sheet Mask

Why we like it: This mask is rich in ceramides that strengthen the skin barrier, plus soothing ingredients like aloe vera and centella asiatica extract, making it ideal for dry skin that’s also experiencing sensitivities.

What reviewers say:
“What a treat! This is the first time I’ve used a sheet mask. I have very sensitive, dry, acne-prone skin. This didn’t irritate at all. It stayed in place. My skin felt very soft, soothed and supple.”

“This is great at soothing skin. My skin has been red, sensitive, and inflamed from traveling and pollution. I put this on and post-mask a couple hours later I got compliments on my skin!”

Acwell 5.5 Super-Fit Moisture Mask

Why we like it: Acwell has established a reputation for creating what many would consider to be holy grail products, and you can add this mask to the list. The star ingredient beta glucan is responsible for reinforcing the moisture barrier so the skin will retain the newly added hydration. Simultaneously, beta glucan also soothes skin.

What reviewers say:
“This is the most hydrating mask! I had 5 people the next day after using it comment on how well rested I looked! I am not well rested with a 5 mo infant and a 2 year old. I can’t wait to get my next shipment.”

“It made my skin look and feel glowy right after I removed the mask! Stayed on even after a night’s sleep of sleeping on the side of my face! My skin feels SO soft, moisturized and supple. I love this feeling–and look!! No break-outs, no itchiness–just beautiful, glowy skin!!”

Dr. Althea Squalane Silk Mask ($17 for five)

Why we like it: This mask is rich in super-star hydrating and moisturizing ingredients including hyaluronic acid, hydrolyzed collagen, a protein that replenishes moisture, and squalane, a buzzy lipid that helps to lock in moisture. Not to mention, the mask is made of silk, an ingredient that’s not just luxurious, but functional too – it helps efficiently deliver ingredients into skin.

What reviewers say:
“I splurged on these for my 45th birthday and so glad I did! These are very hydrating, premium masks. The sheet is sooo soft and soaked with essence.”

“Love this for my dry sensitive skin!! Feels like velvet on my skin and is so soft!! My skin is super moisturized after using this I will definitely buy again!

The post Quench Dehydrated Skin With These Top-Rated Sheet Masks appeared first on The Klog.

In typical New York fashion, overnight the temperature dropped into the low 40s, so I was forced to retreat into my long goose down jacket and my fuzzy socks. It also was a wakeup call to get my favorite winter skincare products out for the dry, cold winter.

Scanning my vanity, I realized how many Skinfood Royal Honey products have become my go-to’s since the winter season started. Unfortunately, honey is sort of an underrated skincare ingredient–even I am guilty of not singing it enough praises despite the fact that it gives me double the hydration on my skin compared to other ingredients.

So here’s my ode to the Skinfood Royal Honey moisturizing line that is long, long overdue. If you’re on the lookout for a natural source of hydration or have really dry skin, read on. Here’s everything you need to know about honey and a list of some of my favorite products you don’t want to miss.

Honey: Nature’s Natural Humectant
Surprise! Did you know that honey is a natural humectant? This means it helps bind moisture to the skin and most importantly, helps it stick around for a while. This is an important factor for any skincare ingredient because, no matter what you slap on your face, it needs to stay for it to be effective. Sadly, many ingredients evaporate and are never to be seen by your skin again, but you don’t have to worry about that with honey.

Royal Honey vs. Regular Honey
When I first started testing Skinfood’s Royal Honey line, I found out that “Royal Honey” is more than just a fancy marketing term. Their Royal Honey is aged honey, different from regular honey because it goes through a 60-day fermentation process in the beehive after being secreted by worker bees. As a result, Royal Honey has less water filler and more skin benefiting ingredients, from vitamins to minerals and amino acids.

I love fermented skincare products, so I was over the moon when Skinfood revamped their Royal Honey line to include fermented honey from specialized bee farms in Korea. The result of having rich, concentrated honey in your skincare products will make sure your skin is nourished, soft and hydrated. That’s why I prefer to use three of them for my final skincare steps: essence, eye cream, and a moisturizing cream.

Propolis To Treat And Deeply Hydrate
We’ve talked about the wonders of propolis before, but here’s a quick refresher. Consider it a type of “bee glue,” because it’s a resinous substance that is collected from botanical plants by honeybees. They use it as a sealant to protect the beehive and inhibit bacterial growth, so it has great moisture retention and it’s anti-inflammatory!

For those with dry, cracked or papery thin skin, listen up. There is nothing more natural and fortifying than propolis. You can get the properties of propolis through Skinfood’s Royal Honey Propolis Essence, which will not only nourish your skin, but it will make it supple and elastic. While I love Missha’s light First Treatment Essence, sometimes winter calls for something that will deeply hydrate and protect my skin.

Just a few drops of the propolis essence is all you need. The formula is not filled with fillers; it has 50% Black Bee Propolis extract, 20% Royal Jelly extract and 10% Royal Black Honey extract. That’s a lot of honey! After using the dropper to dispense a few directly onto my skin, I use all my finger pads to gently smooth and pat in the essence. My skin is soft, supple and ready for some eye cream.

TLC With Royal Honey
The eye area is always the first to be battered by cold winds and dry winter air, and it’s easy to see the result of that dehydration through fine to deep lines.

The Skinfood Royal Honey Essential Eye Cream will reduce those lines, thanks to its honey-infused eye complex. It has an unbelievably light and creamy texture, kind of like the whipped cream you put on your pumpkin pie.

I love the cool sensation on my skin as it absorbs and helps to de-puff my eye area. It’s easy and hygienic to dispense and apply onto your orbital bone with your fingertips. Now that my eye area is treated, I’m ready for the final step: the moisturizer.

A Cream Suited For A Queen

The Skinfood Royal Honey Essential Queen’s Cream is a honey-packed moisturizer that is also light and has a gel-like consistency, allowing it to absorb quickly. After testing this cream, I noticed how soft my skin and hydrated my skin was, even after a marathon 24-hour test period.

Believe it or not, it’s actually quite hard to find a cream that is hydrating while light in consistency. Thankfully Korean skin technology has given some brands the chance to do it right. I find that this gel-based consistency is necessary for the day time because it acts like a primer. With my skin fully hydrated and primed, my makeup can go on top easily and without clumping.

+ What’s your favorite honey-based skincare product? Share your opinion about this hydrating ingredient in the comments below!

The post Royal Honey Will Double Moisturize Your Dry Skin appeared first on The Klog.

This week Jenna asked:  “I would love some tips for body care. What products or ingredients do you suggest for extremely dry skin? And to treat/fade ingrown hair scars.”
Here, a Soko Glam skin expert’s answer:
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Have you ever seen that meme that says “Me: skincare! My other organs: please help us”? It gets like that. We obviously can’t help you with your internal organs, but the outside of your body is definitely an area that gets overlooked in favor of the face.
Dry and scaly patches as well as scars from both ingrown hairs and acne are issues that many people deal with, but often ignore.
Here are some ways you can target these concerns and amp up your body care game. 
The first factor to consider is the temperature of your bath or shower water. Hot water is not the best for either your face or body as hot water can dry out the skin. This can actually compromise the overall barrier function of the skin leading to the skin having a hard time maintaining its’ own general health and hydration. In short, it makes your skin more dry! I understand that hot showers can feel like one of life’s little luxuries but best to try to shower or bath in water that is lukewarm as often as you can.
If you have extremely dry skin, you’ll also want to opt for really pared-down body product formulas that are gentle and fragrance-free. For bar soap or body wash, consider products like unscented Dove bar soap or CeraVe Hydrating Body Wash. 
Also to ensure that your moisturizer will able to penetrate deeply into the skin as well as to remove any dead skin buildup, you’ll want to exfoliate your skin a couple times a week in the shower. You could use an exfoliating bath washcloth like the ones used in Korean spas or a sugar or coffee scrub!
For body lotions, consider products that contain ingredients to strengthen your moisture barrier, especially if you refuse to give up hot showers. The Klairs Supple Preparation All-Over Lotion contains ceramides. Ceramides are great because these lipids are actually the building blocks of the moisture barrier.
Another thing to consider is how quickly you are applying your moisturizers after getting out of the shower. In Korea, there’s a 10 second rule that refers to how quickly one should apply toner to the face after getting out of the shower to prevent dryness. The same principle applies to your body as well. This is because we know that water as a compound will move from higher concentrations to lower concentrations. So after showering you have a higher concentration of water on your person than in the air. This leads to rapid moisturize loss. To prevent this and keep your skin hydrated, especially in the colder months, consider keeping your body moisturizer in the bathroom so that you can apply right after towel drying.
Body scarring – from ingrown hairs or body acne – is another common concern. The best way to help fade these scars is first going to be make sure the skin itself is healthy and hydrated by following the steps above, but with an added treatment step. We talked about physical exfoliators for general body care, but to better target scarring concerns look for products with chemically exfoliating ingredients. One option is AmLactinn, a body lotion that contains AHAs and is gentle enough to be used daily.
Another option is the Neogen A-Clear Soothing Essence Pad which are conveniently pre-soaked in a toner formula containing salicylic acid would be used before your body lotion step. These pads also help to clear acne and can be used on both the face or body!
You don’t need to have a full 10 step routine for your body care, but by understanding how to protect your body’s moisture barrier just as you would your face, you can help prevent and address these common concerns. 

Warmly,
Your Skin Expert

The post Dear Soko: What are the Best Body Products to Treat Extremely Dry Skin? appeared first on The Klog.

The fact that you’re here, perusing The Klog, probably means you’re already familiar with the woe of dry winter skin. As such, we’d wager you’ve heard a lot of the same advice over the years. Because there are only so many times we can tell you to apply a moisturizer, we’ve asked pros to help us take cold weather skin advice to the next level.
Signs that your skin is dry include flaking, tightness, tenderness, itchiness, and a dull or sallow complexion. In extreme cases, it can become raw, cracked, and painful. Correct and prevent dry skin by adopting the expert-approved habits below.
Watch the Booze
We hate to be the bearer of bad news, but warming yourself with a nightly pour is a habit that’s worth curbing if you’re dealing with uncomfortably dry skin. Dr. Debra Jaliman, a board-certified NYC dermatologist and the assistant professor of dermatology at Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, explains, “Too much alcohol dehydrates the skin and it also dilates the blood vessels in the skin, causing it to be red.”
Wear Sunscreen
One of the biggest mistakes we make during the winter is cutting back too much on SPF. “UVB rays are weaker in the winter, but the UVA rays that cause fine lines, premature aging and damage are just as strong throughout the year,” says Patricia Diamant, the lead aesthetician at Scottdale’s Andaz Resort Spa. Further, sun exposure can exacerbate dryness.
RELATED: Derms Reveal the Bad Skin Care Habits We All Need to Break
While it’s true we’re spending less time outdoors and are generally more covered, applying sunscreen to exposed skin is still a very important step in your skin care regimen. We recommend using a high SPF sunscreen, like Neogen’s Day Light Protection Airy Sunscreen, during your morning routine and re-applying it every two hours!
Plug in a Humidifier
The lack of humidity in the air combined with indoor heating that runs all winter long is the biggest culprit for dry skin.
“If your house is very dry in the winter, a humidifier may be the appliance for you,” says Dr. Robb Akridge, a microbiologist, skin care expert, and founder of the Clarisonic. “It will not only keep your skin moist, but it will also prevent you from breathing in dry air while you sleep since it can also wreak havoc on your sinuses and throat.”
He stressed the importance of keeping humidifiers super clean since mold and bacteria may grow in them if they’re not properly maintained.
RELATED: Are Houseplants the Secret to Preventing Dry Skin?
If you’re looking for a quick alternative, Dr. Hadley King, a board-certified dermatologist based in NYC, says that even just setting out pots of water near heating vents or radiators can help.
Exfoliate Like a Boss
Using a physical scrub on your body and either a chemical or gentle physical exfoliant on your face is key in keeping skin radiant and hydrated throughout winter. You should do this about twice a week.
“Exfoliation is vitally important in facilitating absorption and penetration of serums, creams and other hydrating treatments,” explains Diamant. She says that if scheduling a mid-winter professional treatment is possible, go for it.
“Professional treatments include microdermabrasion, dermaplaning, and laser peels,” she says. “Other popular treatments offered at spas include the Hydrafacial and OxyGeneo, which perform multiple functions including exfoliation, oxygen, and penetration of serums.”
Use More Hydrating Products Than Just a Good Moisturizer
Just as you switch out your tank tops for sweaters, you should reassess your entire summer skin care regimen and incorporate a fleet of winter-approved products, says Diamant. She recommends using a creamy cleanser, a hydrating toner, an emollient cream, and a rich eye cream. Try Etude House’s SoonJung pH 6.5 Whip Cleanser, Skinfood Royal Honey Propolis Enrich Essence, Dewytree Ultra Vitalizing Snail Cream, and I’m From Ginseng Eye Cream.

+What other dry skin and cold weather-related questions do you have? Ask them in the comments below!

The post The Things Experts Always Do For Their Skin When It’s Cold Outside appeared first on The Klog.

Hyaluronic acid is perhaps one of the buzziest ingredients in skincare right now. Despite its popularity and inclusion in numerous products, though, there’s still quite a bit of confusion about what this superstar ingredient does and how it works. 

What is Hyaluronic Acid?

Though it may sound like a modern lab invention, hyaluronic acid is naturally produced by our bodies. The fancy pants scientific name for this sugary molecule is “glycosaminoglycan,” but we’re just going to call it “honey of the body” because that’s way easier to remember.

Hyaluronic acid plays a key role in lubricating and protecting everything from your knees to your eyeballs. It does so by replenishing and retaining heaps of moisture (like, a really impressive amount of moisture), which is vital to skin, joint and tissue health. As you might have guessed, the hyaluronic acid found in skincare ingredients is synthetic, but it’s identical to the stuff your body produces.

Hyaluronic Acid as a Skincare Ingredient

Hyaluronic acid can be applied topically or injected as a filler. For years, the latter was considered the only truly effective means of using it, and it’s still quite common today (Juvéderm or Restylane may ring a bell).

That’s all changed in recent years, though, because scientists have made an important breakthrough by reducing the size of hyaluronic acid molecules. Previously, the molecules were too big to penetrate the skin, so they’d just sit on top and then get rinsed or wiped away without doing much. Now that the molecules are smaller, they can penetrate more deeply to truly improve moisture retention.

When shopping for skincare products with hyaluronic acid, it’s important to look for those with “low weight” molecules. This is often listed in the ingredients as “sodium hyaluronate,” which is a smaller, more stable, water-soluble salt form of hyaluronic acid.

Which Skin Types Benefit Most from This Ingredient?

Bottom line: Anyone who’s concerned about fine lines, wrinkles, loss of elasticity, and dry skin will benefit most from hyaluronic acid.

As we get older, our skin naturally becomes less efficient at producing moisture. It also loses some of its fullness due to a decrease in collagen, which is what causes drooping or sagging. Additionally, as we age our skin starts to show signs of repeated creasing. This is most noticeable around our eyes (crow’s feet), mouth (laugh lines) and forehead (worry lines).

These newfangled, low-weight topical hyaluronic acid products combat all the above by noticeably— and almost immediately—plumping up the skin to fill in creases, reduce sag, and add a major dose of moisture.

Product Recommendations

Now that you know just how awesome hyaluronic acid is, it’s time to talk products. We’ll start with the Isntree Hyaluronic Acid Toner Plus, a remarkably hydrating toner that plumps your skin up to make it look younger, firmer and renewed. Use it in the evening just before bed so it can work its magic while you sleep.

Another favorite is Hanskin’s Real Complexion Hyaluron Eye Serum! This one promises a fun skincare experience, too. Apply the hydrating formulation under the eyes with the product’s cooling applicator that utilizes moving metal balls. Throw this one in your overnight bag at your next sleepover and everyone will love you for it.

Finally, the Plant Base Waterfall Moist Balanced Hyaluronic Acid 100, which you can use in the evening or in the morning after cleansing and toning. This ampoule contains sodium hyaluronate for ultimate hydration and penetration!

+ Got questions? Well, we’ve got answers! Hit us up in the comments and we’ll help you out.

The post Ingredient Spotlight: Hyaluronic Acid appeared first on The Klog.