Winter is officially upon us and with that our skin can feel extra dry and irritated. Although white flakes can be stunning as fresh falling snow, white flakes on the skin are not an appealing thought. But do not fret! There are many options available to help combat the dry, tight, and rough skin caused by the cold winter conditions. Many of these options are simple changes or additions to your daily skin care regimen. We listed a few of our favorite products and recommendations for resolving most skin care problems during the winter.
Dry Skin (Body)
Some of us may find that we still need a little extra special care for our delicate skin as we battle the harshness of the cold outdoors, or the dryness caused from the extra hot showers we may take in our quests for comfort. In that case, the Epionce Medical Barrier Cream is perfect because it provides a surge of hydration for very sensitive skin types, including irritated skin that is scaly and dry. Another great product is the ZO Hydrating Cream. The ZO Hydrating Cream temporarily relieves symptoms of dry skin while also calming skin and replenishing skin’s natural moisture to aid in skin recovery. 
Dry Hands
The Rescue and Renew Detox scrub by Arbonne polishes away dry, dead surface cells and surface impurities caused by exposure to environmental aggressors. This detox scrub can be used daily to promote softer, smoother, radiant skin. Following the detox scrub, we recommend using the Medical Barrier cream from Epionce that was mentioned in the paragraph above.
Dry Elbows, Keratosis Pilaris, and Dry Feet
For dry elbows we recommend the ZO Enzymatic at-home peel which helps to smooth uneven, rough textured skin as well as revive the skin that may look dull. It is made with diglycerin, kukui seed oil and safflower seed oil which replenishes hydration and lipids for skin barrier restoration and reinforcement. Another great product that we recommend is the Epionce Intensive Nourishing Cream. This cream was named “Best Rich Moisturizer for Dry Skin” in Women’s Health Magazine Best of Skincare Awards 2020. This product is made with meadowfoam extract and safflower seed oil, two key ingredients for those that are looking to improve and maintain the hydration in their skin. For Keratosis Pilaris, which are the harmless dry bumps and patches on the upper arms, Neocutis Neo Body cream works well here when used on a regular basis. It contains salicylic acid and ceramides to remove some of the dead skin and hydrate. Neo Body is also great for dry feet and heels. Rub it on your feet and then put on your socks overnight. When you remove your socks in the morning, your feet will be left soft and with better hydration.
Chapped Lips
The Arbonne Botaniques Vanilla Lip Therapy Set is perfect for those who struggle with chapped lips during the winter, or any time of year! First, you start with the lip scrub to gently exfoliate dry, flaky skin. Following the scrub, use the lip balm to moisturize and smooth chapped lips while leaving a glossy sheen behind.
Flaky Face/ Windburned Skin
Epionce has fantastic cleansers to help keep the dewy glow we strive for. The Milky Lotion Cleanser or Gentle Foaming Cleanser effectively remove dirt, oil, and makeup without leaving the skin feeling tight, dry, or stripped of its natural protective oils. These products are set at an optimal pH, making them an ideal daily cleanser for most skin types. Dry skin may require a more emollient product after cleansing such as Epionce Renewal Cream or Intensive Nourishing Cream. These are hydrating formulas for visibly smoother, tighter skin that improves radiance for a healthy glow. Hyaluronic acid is well known for its skin benefits, especially alleviating dry skin. Dr. Burgess’ favorite product, Teoxane, utilizes Resilient Hyaluronic Acid®, and is the richest concentration of hyaluronic acid available to seal in moisture. The other is Hyalis, by Neocutis. This product is an oil free, intensive hydrating serum with multiple types of pure Sodium Hyaluronate (SH) plus key ingredients to help promote smooth, soft, and supple skin.
Several lovely treatments are available as well to help us through these troublesome dry skin days. Dermaplaning is a treatment performed using a single blade that resembles a scalpel to help remove dead skin cells and peach fuzz. This provides an effective and safe exfoliation treatment that promotes deeper product penetration, boosting the effects of skin care products. Another great treatment are chemical peels. A chemical peel is a treatment in which a chemical solution is applied to the skin to remove the top layers. The skin that grows back is smoother and appears more radiant. The new skin is also more receptive to skincare products. Lastly, HydraFacial’s have many benefits including a hydrated and clear complexion.
Red Nose
At Burgess Plastic Surgery, we offer IPL and Laser Genesis treatments to correct redness of the face. The LimeLight Facial is a non-invasive approach to skin revitalization, and it is our IPL (intense pulse light) treatment. Using a special handheld device, IPL is applied to the affected area. The light will penetrate the outer layers of the skin and be absorbed by the target cell. Your body’s immune system will then cleanse the tissue and stimulate new cell growth. This new cell growth creates improved skin tone, texture, and appearance. Laser Genesis is an innovative way to promote vibrant and healthy-looking skin in both men and women. It has been shown to produce new collagen, reduce pore size, and smooth out fine lines and wrinkles. The treatment works by gently heating the upper dermis well below your skins’ surface. While you can expect to see a subtle response following treatment, we recommend receiving 4-5 consistent treatments to see the best results.
If you would like to learn more about these treatments and products or would like to make an appointment with Burgess Plastic Surgery, please call our office at 503-699-6464. If you are interested in purchasing any of the items mentioned in the blog, you are able to order these through our website in our “Shop Now” tab.
