So, there I was, bundled up, clutching my coffee for dear-warmth, when I realized, the time had come. Winter has arrived, and it’s time to get ready – and do our best to stay beautiful.

Image: Dr. Howard Sobel

According to Dr. Howard Sobel, New York City dermatologist and dermatologic cosmetic surgeon, there are indeed really specific ways to care for our skin as the weather gets colder.

During the colder months, everybody’s skin becomes less oily and drier from both indoor and outdoor elements, include the wind, indoor heat, etc.

“I tell all my clients – no matter skin type – to swap their cleanser for a milder and less drying product. Cooler showers do work – so turn the heat down! Take shorter showers too. And be sure to apply a body-specific moisturizer shortly after on damp skin for maximum effect,” Sobel says.

Sunscreen is critical

“Most people stop using sunscreens once the weather turns colder, but the facts are that aging of the skin results from sun damage that occurs during both summer and winter months. Save time in the morning and sleep an extra 15 minutes by using a dual-purpose moisturizer that has SPF in it – at least 30 SPF,” recommends Sobel. This way, you keep your skin hydrated while protecting against cumulative environmental damage that comes from sun exposure.

Many people tend to overlook the hands during the colder months, despite the fact they are the first on our body to get excessively dry.

Remember to moisturize your hands daily, and if you’re worried about dry, worn-out or older looking hands, speak to your dermatologist about skin rejuvenating hand treatments. “I think dermal fillers can work great as well as laser treatments to remove unattractive sun spots,” says Dr. Sobel.

Autumn is a great time to have a purifying facial or a mild peel to remove your dead skin cells that have accumulated over the summer months.

“In my practice, I see an increase during this time of patients requesting mild to medium peels to refresh their skin for the new season. Since many women like to go lighter during the colder months, they want their complexion to be as smooth and refined as possible,” Says Dr. Sobel.

“Many of my patients who come to see me around this time have pigment changes in their skin from summer. I like to use the Aurora Laser, which uses a very gentle light and energy to remove brown spots from sun damage, blotchiness and to improve skin tone and texture. This treatment is also great to get your in skin in glowing shape for the holidays,” he goes on.

So, is your skin ready for winter, and are you already seeing the effects of the chill? I’m going to follow this advice, starting now!

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Granted, this part of my job is awesome – but the constant traveling (especially the flying part) I have done lately is drying my skin out like crazy.

So, you can imagine how excited I was when Lamas Beauty Spa Sensuals Hand Scrub arrived in the mail just in time.

This is a super-gentle scrub that helps to exfoliate and moisturize your hands, feet, or anyone else you are feeling distinctly scaly and unsexy – and is made with natural sea-salts and soothing oatmeal – you can’t get more natural than that! From the first application, I really could see it working – so much so, that it’s currently in my baggage.

Talk to you from THE ARCH.

Image: Lamas Beauty

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Given the current economy, coupled with bitter, windy weather and drying heaters and radiators, it’s no wonder our skin is in serious need of TLC. Below, Dr. Ellen Marmur, the Chief of the Division of Dermatologic and Cosmetic Surgery at the Mount Sinai Medical Center New York, provides skin-saving at-home tips – perfect for the cold winter months when our stress levels seem to reach their peak:

”At home facials once a week in the winter will help reduce dead skin build-up and a dull complexion,” says Dr. Marmur. “Make it yourself – blend one avocado, juice from half of a lemon, and the contents of a lemon-zinger tea bag. Apply to face for 10 minutes, wash with gentle face wash like Terralina, and immediately moisturize with your favorite face/neck cream, massaging for 5 minutes.”

The number one tip for extremely dry or irritated skin: “don’t scrub or pick inflamed skin, and don’t wash with harsh soaps!” says Dr. Marmur. “Number two: apply a thick ointment, such as Aquaphor (available at drug stores), to your neck, chest and hands before bed for at least one hour. Either gently wipe off with a soft towel, or wash with a gentle face wash like Terralina,” advises Dr. Marmur. “Apply aloe lotion (not gel) and your favorite moisturize – and make it chemical free.”

Remember to use a humidifier in your home, especially in your bedroom, to protect against the drying effect of heaters.

“Winter skin is very dry, rough and red. Simplify your skincare routine and focus on protection — moisturize, avoid extremes of cold, heat, wind, and use gentle products that are chemical free.”

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The key features of this multifunction cream are:  “Regulates moisture to banish dryness, smoothes away rough brittle surface cells (hello!), encourages a firmer body (uh huh), restores radiance to skin and surrounds the body with the enticing aroma of pure botanical oils.”  Pretty dreamy stuff.

Along with some groovy peptides and amino acids, Vitalization also contains 10 botanical oils, shea butter, red tea and beta carotene.   The fragrance is good, but light and nothing that clashes with your fragrance at all.  It is thick, but creamy, not REALLY thick like some of the other shea butter products out there. 

For those of you that are concerned about this sort of thing, Bioelements products are not tested on animals, use no artificial colors or fragrances and contain organic botanicals (have you visited Pretty by Nature lately?).  Vitalization is sold in a big 8 oz jar, and can be purchased at DermStore for $49.50.  DermStore also has a deal going on right now, with a $125 purchase, receive a free Pumice Peel (exfoliating cream – $48 value).  That’s a great product too – in fact, I really have never met a Bioelements product I didn’t really love.  Sleepwear – the best night cream going.  So spend a little time at DermStore and try out Bioelements if you haven’t – I am positive you will love it!

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