By Brett Freedman
It’s November and you may be noticing a change in your skin. Faded is your summer glow and it’s looking a bit parched. I tell the actresses I work with, “As soon as you turn on the heat for the fall, it’s time to nudge your skin care routine.” If you think about it, it makes sense. The air will be drier and so will your skin. While you’re sleeping, heated air is doing a number on your face and body. Here are my tips to incorporate moisture-saving techniques to have a smooth, supple autumn .
1. Fuller creams for face and body
It’s not full on winter yet so no need to amp it up too much. Just a little thicker formula. If you’re using a lotion in the spring/summer, I’d advise switching to a more dense cream for fall/winter. For the face I’d suggest starting with your night cream in a fuller formula. For oily skin this may mean using an oil free lotion over a gel moisturizer you’ve been using in the spring/summer.
For face I love Clinique’s Moisture Surge.
For body I love Keri’s Advanced Therapy body lotion.
2. Body wash 101
It’s all about consistency. You’re looking for thick, opaque creamy body washes. If you’ve been using clear or milky formulations for spring/summer it’s time to switch up. You wants a product that will cleanse gently yet leave the skin hydrated. It’s tempting to take very hot showers when the air is cold, but resist. Hot showers rob skin of moisture. Get yourself accustomed to very warm showers. It’s great for the environment, too!
I love Dove’s creamy body wash. Fresh scent and leaves skin dewy!
3. Exfoliate!
What better way to glowing, softer skin than whisking away dead skin cells and prompting the turnover of fresh, new cells. For face I suggest using a wash cloth or textured puff to gently polish skin. For body loofah gloves or the classic wash cloth do wonders to give skin a clean, healthy vibrancy. I like to use ‘tools’ to exfoliate over gritty versions washes because you can use your favorite cleansers with them. Remember to use gently. Grinding or ‘sanding’ your skin works against the goal. You want to gently skin the skin’s surface for best results.
For face I love Buff Puff pads. A classic that gets the job done like no other.
For body I love The Body Shop’s exfoliating gloves. Get in every nook and cranny with these handy shower must-haves!
4. It’s all in the timing
When you get out of the shower you have just a few minutes to trap that all important water you’ve doused yourself with. Think of your body like a big sponge. If you let the sponge dry out then put moisturizer on it, what would it feel like. Now imagine putting it on while it’s damp and plump with water. Yes, your skin is just like that. So, don’t towel off so much when you hop out of the shower. Why take away all the moisture you’ll be wishing you’d trapped in? It’s kinda strange and slimy, but trust me you’ll notice a HUGE moisturizing difference by applying your face and body cream to very damp skin. Try it once and you’ll love it!
5. Elbows, knees and feet, oh my!
I’m a huge fan of doing little things before bed that improve and beautify while you sleep. Try putting a salve or petroleum jelly on your driest areas before hitting the sheets. Just a layer on elbow, knees, hands/cuticles and feet will make a big difference in their suppleness over time. Try it for one weekend and you’ll get a glimpse into what your softness future will hold. I suggest having your favorite product on your nightstand and make it part of your night time ritual.
I love MAC’s Naked Honey salve…works great and smells amazing.
I also love good ol’ fashioned Vaseline petroleum jelly.
Makeup artist Brett Freedman is the creator of Vanitymark and works with celebrities such as Kelly Clarkson and Jenna Fischer.
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