By: Missy Tauler, Master Aesthetician
No matter what the groundhog says on February 2nd, it’s undeniable that we still have several weeks to go until spring. This time of year, one of the most common concerns for new clients is that their skin feels dry, tight, and sensitive.
The problem many are having is that their skin is dehydrated–it is not holding an appropriate amount of water and natural moisturizing factors. Dehydration is different than dry skin, which is skin that lacks an adequate amount of oil. Your skin can be dehydrated regardless of the amount of oil your skin is producing. It is even possible to have oily, acne prone skin and experience dehydration. Signs of dehydration include an overall dull appearance, with exacerbated texture, lines, increased redness, and a thin, tissue-paper appearance.
Not only is dehydrated skin uncomfortable, it is unhealthy. When skin is in a state of dehydration, it is not able to do one of its most important jobs: serve as a barrier. Skin is designed to keep natural moisturizing factors in, and keep irritants and pathogens out. When skin is dehydrated, it is not only leaking moisture, it is also allowing irritants and pathogens in, causing inflammation.
Acute inflammation in the skin may be indicated by redness or heat, but low-level, chronic inflammation may not have any physical signs or symptoms. A buzzy term you may have heard is “inflammaging.” It has been proven that a state of chronic inflammation in the body speeds up biological aging processes, so we definitely want to mitigate it.
What’s more, when our skin is compromised, we are more likely to “baby” our skin, and avoid active products and treatments that will provide correction. Winter is the most convenient time for lasers, peels, and other treatments that leave the skin temporarily sun-sensitive. Luckily, restoring skin hydration is relatively easy. Once the skin is back to a state of balance, you can get on track with more corrective treatments in the clinic and a robust home care regimen.
Here are my best tips for keeping your skin hydrated for the remainder of the winter and beyond!
Add Layers of Lightweight Hydration
It seems like common sense to reach for a thick, heavy moisturizer when your skin is feeling dry—but if the problem is dehydration, we need to take a different approach. Remember that dehydration is a lack of water, not a lack of oil. Lightweight hydrators (serums) are the way to go when it comes to adding moisture to the skin. Serums have a lower molecular weight and smaller particle size, which means they are more readily absorbed by the skin. In addition, serums often contain vitamins and antioxidants to strengthen skin, and hyaluronic acid, which can help the skin hold in moisture.
If you have oily or combination skin, lightweight hydrators might replace a traditional moisturizer. If you truly have dry skin that lacks oil, you may want to layer them under a moisturizer.
I recommend Javan’s private label Phyto-Corrective serum if you experience redness, flushing, or inflammatory conditions like rosacea. It contains green tea which has powerful antioxidant properties and has been described as a “fire hydrant” for the skin–it’s extremely calming, soothing, and hydrating.
Another staff pick for optimizing hydration is pairing B5 Gel and O-Live Gel from Phyto-C. B5 Gel contains a heavy dose of Hyaluronic acid vitamin B5, which promotes wound healing. O-Live Gel is an oil free serum has anti-inflammatory olive leaf extract, a potent anti-oxidant.
Exfoliate Regularly
Scrubs have gotten a bit of a bad reputation over the last few years, but as a skincare professional, I stand by them as an essential. It is important to regularly buff the surface of the skin to remove dead cell buildup. When we accumulate too many dead cells on the surface, products will not penetrate evenly and won’t work as effectively. Cellular buildup can also contribute to acne, formation of milia and other varieties of hyperkeratinization.
Not all exfoliants are created equal, and you want to make sure you are using one with round beads that dissolve in water, and always use VERY gentle pressure as you glide the product across your skin. We’re not sanding, we’re buffing!
I recommend using ZO Exfoliating Polish several times a week to slough off dead surface cells for a more radiant appearance. It’s suitable for all skin types!
Try Dermaplaning
Dermaplaning is a technique that removes vellus hair (“peach fuzz”) and cellular buildup from the face. It is appropriate even for very sensitive skin, and can give a glowy “glass skin” effect, because bare skin reflects more light. After dermaplaning, your makeup will look better than ever, and your skincare products will absorb into the skin effectively.
Dermaplaning is painless and can be incorporated into any facial at Javan Wellness, and can pair well with most corrective treatments–just ask your esthetician!
Get a Hydrafacial
Hydrafacial is one of the most popular facial treatments at Javan Wellness for new and established clients alike. Hydrafacial uses “vortex fusion” technology to simultaneously resurface (exfoliate) the surface of the skin, draw out impurities with vacuum-like suction, and infuse products that will stimulate and hydrate the skin. With no downtime, it is a great service to help maintain skin health, or to prepare for an event or corrective treatment.
If it’s been a while since your last professional treatment, consider booking a Hydrafacial to get back on track. Every facial at Javan Wellness incorporates consultation with an esthetician, who can provide personalized guidance for your best skin ever.
Modify Your Environment
When it’s cold outside, it feels so good to blast the heat–but that dry air causes moisture to hastily evaporate out of the skin. This process is called trans-epidermal water loss. Try using your heat intermittently and layering up when possible. You might also consider running a humidifier to add moisture to the air when using heat.
Stay Hydrated Internally
We all know we need to drink water for our health, and yes, it’s true—if you’re dehydrated, your skin will be too. Ideally, you should consume at least half your body weight in ounces of water daily. For example, if you weigh 150 lbs., that’s 75oz—or about 2 Stanley cups of water. If you’re breastfeeding, doing intense workouts, consuming moderate or high amounts of caffeine, or on diuretic medications, you need more water! If you’re not a big water drinker, try adding a splash of 100% fruit juice. Caffeine free herbal teas and seltzer are other flavorful ways to hydrate.
I hope these tips are helpful as we round out the winter season. If you need guidance with your skincare routine, please book a complimentary skin assessment with us!