Skincare for the Changing Weather
With the change of season, you may notice a change in your skin. This is normal and is a result of the changing weather. If your weather is getting colder, you may notice your skin feeling drier. (If you have very oily skin, you may notice that you are just a bit oily, if you have fairly normal skin, you may find that it feels a bit drier and if you have dry skin, it's time to invest in a night creme, before you start to feel very dry).

If your weather is getting warm, you may notice that your skin feels a bit less dry. Normal skin may start to feel normal to oily and oily skin may begin to move into the very oily range.

If your skin is noticeably different from season to season, ranging from very oily to very dry, your skin is extremely sensitive or if your skin is maturing, you may do better with our Ultimate Line of Products.

If It's Getting COLD

The cold weather can be very hard on your skin. If you have sensitive skin or dry skin to start with, this is probably the most difficult season for you. Below are some guidelines to help you adjust your skincare program to avoid problems during the cold weather.

Normal to Dry and Dry Skin - It's time to add a night creme and an eye creme if you are not already using them. A good addition to your routine is the Hydrating Serum to boost the moisturizing effects of masques, moisturizers and night cremes. A few drops help bind moisture to your skin. This is also a good season to be sure and use your moisturizing masque at least twice a week. (If it's difficult to find the time, apply it a few minutes before you shower, let it set up and rinse in the shower.) The Liquid Gold Serum is also great, especially if you have dry patches or have very dry skin.

Now is not the time to try new products that may irritate your skin (specifically alpha hydroxy acid products or harsh scrubs). Starting a Retin A program now is also not a great idea (wait for spring). You'll find that you have more trouble while the weather is changing than when it finally gets and stays cold (your skin will acclimatize, given time and care).

Turn your bath water to warm (not hot), be careful using a facial scrub (gently apply and let the grains do the work--don't RUB) and pat your skin dry. If your facial skin is dry, your body probably suffers from the same problems. Again, warm, rather than hot water will help and use a body scrub to remove dry, flaky skin and a body lotion to help protect your skin against dryness. Also, a liquid soap, rather than a bar soap will be a bit easier on your skin.

If your skin still feels dry and tight, we recommend the next richer moisturizer from the table below.

Normal to Oily and Oily Skin - If you have normal or normal to oily skin your skin should feel fairly normal now. We highly recommend you adjust your skincare products, if necessary to maintain this skintype. If you continue to use products for oily skin in the cold weather, you can overdry the surface of your skin. Our Balancing Products are designed to adjust to changing conditions so you should be fine. If you are using the Balancing Serum to help with oil control on a daily basis, you can use it just twice a week under your masque.

If you have very oily skin, you should start to feel fairly normal during the changing weather. This is not the time to start neglecting a regular skincare program. Continue to use your regular routine, unless you start to feel slightly dry (your skin should feel "normal"). If your skin feels dry or tight (you'll probably notice it over the cheekbones first), you'll need to adjust your products to those for normal to oily skin.

Although your skin is more oily than dry, you still don't want to dehydrate or overdry the surface of your skin. Warm (rather than hot) bath water is really better for your skin and do pat your skin dry, rather than rubbing it. If you have dry skin on your body, also switch from a bar soap to a liquid soap to bathe with, use a body scrub to keep dry, flaky skin off and use a body lotion after bathing to replace moisture on the surface of your skin.

If It's Getting HOT

The hot weather can cause a number of changes in your skin. If you have sensitive skin or dry skin to start with, the changes are probably less noticeable than if you have normal to oily or oily skin. Below are some guidelines to help you adjust your skincare program to avoid problems during the hot weather.

Normal to Dry and Dry Skin - This is the time of year when your skin should be closest to "normal" and the easiest to maintain. However, if you are fairly normal on a regular basis, you may find that you get a bit oily, especially in the t-zone during the warmer weather. You may also experience occasional breakouts. To avoid problems of this type, you may need to adjust your products for more "normal" skin rather than for "dry" skin. Continue to use a moisturizer every day to protect your skin, but you may want to select one that's slightly lighter than the one you use in the winter. Don't neglect your masque and scrub, your skin still needs the extra care. Unless you notice dramatic differences in your skin from warm weather to cold weather, your "traditional" cleanser and toner should still be fine, just adjust your moisturizer, if necessary.

Normal to Oily and Oily Skin - If you have normal or normal to oily skin the warm weather makes it harder to keep your skin at "normal". You may have to adjust your skincare products to those for normal to oily or oily skin. If your skin is very oily, we suggest our Purifying Line of products, which are good for problem/blemished skin and skin that is very oily. Otherwise, we recommend the Balancing Products, which adjust well to changing skin conditions. We do recommend you add the Balancing Serum, which provides additional oil control and really helps reduce shine. The serum should be used under your moisturizer (or instead of the moisturizer for oily skin) and under the masque, which can be used up to three times a week for additional oil control.

Very Oily Skin - If you have very oily skin, and used the Balancing Products through the cold weather, you may need to return to the Purifying Products, if the Balancing products don't provide enough "balance" for your skin. Try adding the Purifying Cleanser and Toner. If you are just oily (not breaking out or having problems with blackheads) continue using the Balancing Moisturizer, Balancing Serum and Masque.

Moisturizer Listing

All moisturizers are described below from the richest to the most oil controlling with descriptions for each. All are suitable for sensitive skin.

Milk & Honey Moisturizer - Our richest moisturizer. This is best suited to very dry skin, dehydrated and maturing skin types. It can also be used as a night creme for normal to dry, dry and very dry skin types. (From the Ultimate Line of Products -- particularly well suited to sensitive and easily dehydrated skin.)

O2 Moisturizer - An oxygen-enriched moisturizer that is suitable for normal to dry, dry and maturing skin. This helps increase cell respiration rates, which encourages faster cell reproduction and healthier skin appearance. (From the Ultimate Line of Products -- particularly well suited to sensitive and easily dehydrated skin.)

Hydrating Moisturizer - A very gentle, rich, non-greasy moisturizer that is suitable for normal to dry, dry and maturing skin. This helps hold moisture on the surface of the skin and eases fine lines.

Soothing Moisturizer - A lightweight moisturizer that helps reduce redness and skin irritation. Suitable for normal/combination and normal to dry/normal to oily skin that is closest to "normal".

Chamomile Moisturizer - A lightweight moisturizer that helps reduce redness and skin irritation. Suitable for normal/combination and normal to dry/normal to oily skin that is closest to "normal". Oil-Free (From the Ultimate Line of Products -- particularly well suited to sensitive and easily dehydrated skin.)

Balancing Moisturizer - A lightweight moisturizer that lightly hydrates normal, normal/combination and normal to oily skin. Oil-Free

Calendula Moisturizer - A lightweight/healing moisturizer that helps prevent breakouts and control excess oiliness without over-drying the surface of the skin. Helps heal and soothe skin. Oil-Free (From the Ultimate Line of Products -- particularly well suited to sensitive and easily dehydrated skin.)

Purifying Moisturizer - A lightweight/oil-controlling and preventing moisturizer that helps prevent and heal blemishes, control excess oiliness and soothe skin. Oil-Free

Dry Hands/Dry and Flaking Feet

The changing weather can have a devastating effect on hands and feet. Our Protective Hand Creme is designed to moisturize your hands while helping them to produce and maintain their own moisture rather than over-moisturizing,which can ultimately cause the hands to feel even drier. It is also non-greasy feeling and absorbs quickly.

Our Therapeutic Foot Creme is cool and soothing for tired, achy feet and should be used daily to keep feet in top condition. It helps refresh your feet after a long day and has a refreshing scent, helps smooth rough spots, helps fight against bacteria and fungus.

Dry Lips

Another of the problems with changing weather is often dry, chapped lips. Try the Lip Exfole' and Vitamin E or Hydro C to keep lips soft and supple (and smooth). All are in convenient stick form. The Lip Exfole' contains tiny grains and is a "scrub" for your lips. It helps remove dry, flaky skin and both the Vitamin E and Hydro C sticks soften, soothe and protect your lips. Start using the Lip Exfole' 3-5 times a week. Just apply, wipe off and follow with either Vitamin E or Hydro C. After 2-3 weeks, just use the Lip Exfole' 2-3 times a week to maintain your lips in their newer, softer, smoother condition. Carry a Vitamin E or Hydro C Stick along for touch-ups during the day.

The Vitamin E Stick is a bit more "healing" for lips that are already dry and cracked. The Hydro C is more soothing and moisturizing for lips that look and/or feel dry.

Still Not Sure Which Skincare Products are best for your skin? Our on-line Skin Type Test gives specific product recommendations based on your answers to our Skin Type Questionnaire.

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