If you have problems with dry skin then you need to give extra care during the winter months. The winter skin care advice tips you are about to read will help you to protect, provide for and nourish your skin during the coldest time of year. You’ll be glad you gave your skin the extra attention it needed during the winter season once the warmer months arrive and you are ready to show some extra skin.
Obtain and maintain healthier, better conditioned skin by following this extensive list of winter skin care advice tips:

1. Hot water strips your skin of natural oils required for proper moisture balance so avoid taking hot showers and baths during the winter.
2. Use gel cleansers instead of foaming cleansers because excessive use can also strip your body of its natural oils.
3. Wash with warm water followed by a cream moisturizer while skin is still damp.
4. Layer your clothing when going out in wintery temperatures. Cold weather dries your skin out faster than when it’s warm.
5. Use a heavier moisturizer like Gatineau Nutriactive Nourishing Day Cream on your hands, feet, knees and elbows
6. Be prepared for extra skin care by carry moisturizing cream with you when you are out.
7. The ingredients to avoid would be those with fragrance oil, alcohol and an other un-natural ingredients or products.
8. If your moisturizer doesn’t contain sunscreen, apply a sunscreen with an SPF of 15 at minimum. I normally recommend SPF30 or higher but since you are less likely to spend an extended amount of time out doors, SPF15 is sufficient.
9. Upon returning home nightly, after bathing, showering or whatever it is you to do clean up, moisturize! Moisturizing no less than twice daily is recommended during the winter.
10. Bathe in a mixture of milk & honey, oatmeal or add a few drops of almond oil to your bath water.

It is often referred to as ‘oily skin’, and manifests itself with a shiny appearance, accompanied by pimples and open pores. In the worst cases, it can develop into full blown acne, and blight a person for life.

How is excessive sebum produced?

The problem is caused by good old bacteria, which breakdown the sebum into fatty acids, often causing an inflammatory reaction in the follicle (skin pores). The result is that skin pores are then blocked by ‘sticky plugs’ formed by the mixture of dead skin cells, bacteria and sebum, a condition known as a Microcomedone.

How do you reduce sebum production?

To reduce the production of sebum, it is recommended that you follow a cleansing regime that affects both the sebum levels on the skin and within the follicle. Sebum production is a continuous process, and needs to be removed by washing the skin at least twice a day with a quality foaming wash such as the Gatineau Refresh range. It is helpful to wash with a product that is lightly medicated, with at least 2% Salicylic acid, which prevents the formation of plugged pores. The process of gently washing also provides an exfoliation, which is necessary to remove the detritus that builds up during a day. How to apply:

• Gently wet the skin and rub the lotion in with your fingertips for a few minutes, making sure that all the areas of the face are covered, particularly around the sides of the nose.
• Leave for a few minutes, and then rinse with warm water. NOTE: It is important to ensure that the water is warm and not hot as this can have a damaging affect.

Bacteria removal

If your skin condition is particularly bad, it may be wise to consult your doctor and get a prescription for antibiotics. Antibiotics have an anti-inflammatory property and will aid in the destruction of bacteria populations on the skin. Not everyone responds positively to antibiotics, and it may be because there is some dilution of the concentration of the antibiotics in the follicle caused by the excessive build up of sebum. Another reason could be a common bacterial resistance to the antibiotic. Many people advocate the use of Tea tree oil to stop the spread of harmful bacteria, which cannot develop any resistance. For more information, and a list of helpful products that can assist in controlling sebum production, visit Aromatherapy Associates at The Beauty Room.

If you wish to know more information about any of the benefits of using aromatherapy as an aid to skin care visit the official website of Aromatherapy Assosiates.

Natural skin care is the current ‘buzz word’, as many natural remedies appear to be out performing the man-made alternatives. As with any other natural beauty products, the old adage “you get what you pay for” applies literally in this case.

If you’re spending very little, you are almost certainly getting a watered down or poorly manufactured version of the primary natural ingredient. This is important as you are likely to be seeking to receive the benefits of a skin repair remedy. Natural skin care products must contain a high enough concentration and quality of the essential nutrients, vitamins or compounds in order to have the desired effect. Basically, don’t spend more than you can afford, but make your money stretch to the limit.

One of the key elements that I look for in a skin care product is high quantities of vitamin C. Vitamin C helps to protect the skin from harmful sun light damage, and in some cases, can help to reverse the effects. It is the only antioxidant that has been proved to have a positive effect on the production and synthesis of skin collagen.

To give you an idea of what to concentrate on, here is a summary of a few of the most potent natural skin care products focusing on my favourites Gatineau and Equavie. Some can be taken orally as skin supplements, while others can be applied topically. The complete ranges are one of the most powerful skin repairing agents available on today’s market. You may find it hard to believe the difference these products can make to your skin tone, clarity and firmness. I have also noticed an effect on the reduction of lines and wrinkles that are the bane of most women’s lives. I am also amazed that these products can be made from nature’s own store, and include plant and marine extracts.