Save your Skin, Avoid the Knife
As you may know I worked in the spa industry for years. The part of my job that I loved most was helping my clients take care of their skin without having to spend too much time fussing. Now that I’m a mom, I understand better how time gets away when you’re not paying attention. The tips that follow will save you time now and down the road. After all prevention is key to keeping your skin healthy and you’ll be less tempted to go under the knife later!
Sunscreen and Moisturizer, Mix’em or Not
Your skin needs UV protection all year round especially in Vancouver. You never know when the sun will poke through the clouds! Having sunscreen separate from your moisturizer allows you to customize how much to use depending on the day. I love Dermalogica Solar Defense Booster spf30. It’s lightweight and can be mixed with day cream or layered on top, under foundation and/or powder. If you mix it with your moisturizer in equal parts, the SPF will be reduced to about 18. Perfect for winter time.
Avoid Suffocation by Mineral Oil
That lip balm laden with mineral oil, a nasty petroleum by product may feel o.k. at first but have you ever noticed that when you don’t put it on your lips seem to scream for more? That’s because your lips are addicted my friend! It’s an easy fix, no need for 12 steps. Besides, petrol belongs in your car not on your skin.
Burt’s Bees lip products with SPF are a perfect alternative and feel amazing on. And you’ll find you’ll use less as your lips can finally breathe!
Mask for Sensitized Skin
Use a calming mask once a week or when needed to repair skin. This is important to consider when you have really come up against harsh weather or your skin is going through a rough patch (pun intended). My favourite one lately is Dr. Andrew Weil’s Mega-Mushroom Skin-Calming Mask.
With Bamboo Leaf extract and Marine Algae it is exactly what sensitized skin needs to be calmed and soothed. If skin is rough or flaky consider an exfoliant prior to masking.
Drink Water, Get Enough Shuteye, Repeat
Water and enough zzz’s are the perfect combination and are critical for the health of the skin, and your sanity when you’re a busy mom. Drinking tons of water in the winter is especially important as we spend more time indoors breathing in recirculated and stale, heated air. It will also help prevent that 3pm headache-y feeling you get when you drink too many lattes and forget to hydrate. Sleep is rejuvenating and healing, allowing our skin to battle those elements more effectively. Just don’t drink before bedtime or you won’t get much!
Do you have skincare questions that you need answered? Send them my way! I respond to all comments my lovely readers take the time to make.
Thanks for reading.
Namaste