Let's face it; it's winter. At least as far as our skin is concerned! Most people in Calgary complain about having dry skin, even many acne cases. Humidity levels have dropped off, which means drier air - the dryer the air, the more moisture gets sucked out of your skin. This is why we experience things like dryness, dry patches, and flaking during the colder months of the year.
When we think of dry air, we must also think of the constant change from outdoors into centrally-heated homes and workplaces. This continuous process causes our capillaries to quickly contract and expand, causing them to break, creating redness in the skin. HELLO ROSEACEA! People with eczema or other dry skin conditions, especially those who live in YYC, should be particularly cautious when heading into the arctic months. I'm here to give you some tips on how you can keep your skin clean, clear, protected, and HYDRATED this winter!
Oil pre-cleansing in the winter can be a skin saver! Did you know that oil acts as a gentle exfoliant to pull out and remove impurities? All while RE-HYDRATING your skin? Think back to your high school chemistry class, we learned; like dissolves like. In other words, oil dissolves oil. This pre-cleansing method uses oil to attract and get rid of excess oil, but it is also amazing for rejuvenating and gently exfoliating dry skin, cleaning clogged pores, melting away black + whiteheads, and balancing skin hydration. HYDRATION HEALS! If you don’t exfoliate your skin at least twice /week, you’re left with a dry layer of dead cells that don’t allow other products to penetrate into the necessary layers of the face. If you have particularly dry and or sensitive skin, you might want to try a pre-cleanse oil as your weekly exfoliant.
Oil's remove dirt, dead skin, and pollutants – also making it an AMAZING makeup remover! I personally LOVE using oil as my makeup remover because it takes off everything, even water proof mascaras. Apply your selected oil straight onto dry, dirty skin, massage it around for a few minutes (or to the length of your favourite song), then CLEANSE it off. We strongly recommend following your pre-cleanse oil with a proper cleanser to ensure you're removing all the dirt, oils, and bacteria that have now been loosened up. Ask our professionals which one would be best suited for your skin type!
Once you’ve completed your morning skincare routine, always make sure you’ve applied that protective skin barrier before heading out into the elements. SPF protection during the daytime, and a richer night-time cream will keep your skin balanced between washes. Most of our products contain anti-inflammatory and anti-irritant ingredients, but ingredients such as chamomile and green tea will help to control redness. The Refine and Remedy lines from Illuminate contain calming Lavender and soothing the skin.
We carry a variety of pre-cleanse oils at The Natural Art of Skin Care to suite every skin type; Oily, Dry, Sensitive, Congested, Combination, Aging. Book a FREE consult with one of our Estheticians to see which pre-oil cleanse would fit best into your skincare regime, and what products you SHOULD be using during the upcoming winter.
Illuminate CLARIFY ($46) - vital decongestion for an oily or textured complexion
llluminate BALANCE ($46) - active botanical nutrient to unify combination skin
llluminate REFINE ($46) - rich hydration to smooth, soften and revitalize
llluminate REMEDY ($46) - intense recovery for inflamed skin or acne conditions
Eminence Stone Crop ($56) - Detoxifying and gentle for all skin types
Eminence Wildflower Cleansing Balm ($58) - dual-purpose, gel balm pre-cleanses the skin, add water and it turns into a milky cleanser. Washes off nice and clean.
If you ever have questions about your skincare or need a step in the right direction, please feel free to contact us! It is our goal to help everyone achieve radiant skin, holistically.
We look forward to seeing you at the Spa!
Stay Warm Friends.
Kyndle Doolan | Spa Director
The Natural Art of Skin Care