Winter 2008

Be in the know on all things Glo. From seasonal beauty to wellness tips, our quarterly online newsletter will keep you up to date. Sign up using the form to the left to receive newsletter updates—and you'll be the first to know about discounts, specials and fun Glo Skin Spa events.

The Long Dry Days of Winter
by Farah Husain, OWNER / Licensed Esthetician & Makeup Artist
Topic: Skincare

In a climate like ours it's vitally important to vary your skin care regimen depending on the seasons. In the winter months it may be necessary to change the formulations of your cleanser and moisturizer to prevent surface dehydration. For example, if you usually use a gel cleanser during the warmer months it may be more appropriate to switch to a milk or cream formulation during the Fall/Winter. Here is a general outline of some winter skin care tips. I would also recommend that during seasonal changes you call and book a facial and/or 15 min. complimentary skin care consultation to review your present regimen and make any necessary adjustments.

1) Run your humidifier by your bed from fall through the beginning of spring. Even this simple practice will create a more humid skin-friendly environment for your face. Avoid using hot steam humidifiers if you have a sensitive or rosacea-prone skin type.

2) Remember to exfoliate! As I've told many of you, if I were a super heroe I would be called "The Exfoliater." Exfoliating removes the excess dead skin on the stratum corneum which prevents moisturizers from absorbing effectively and gives your skin a dull appearance. Only thick, nonsensitive, oily and combination skin types should use physical exfoliants (meaning exfoliants with granules) and even then in moderation. I suggest them about two or three times a week. All other skin types can use enzyme or alpha hydroxy exfoliants or moisturizers that work without scrubbing. They actually effectively dissolve the bonds between dead skin cells helping them to act they way they did when you were younger.

3) Don't use hot water to wash your face. Use lukewarm water which will be more gentle on your delicate facial skin.

4) Discuss with your esthetician whether you need to change up your product regimen. Personally, I switch from a gel to a milk cleanser and use more emolliant formulations of sunscreen and moisturizer. During the summer I use the Oxygen Botanicals lightweight sunscreen and switch to the regular formula in late September. If you usually use Antioxident Cream, B Cream, or Multifruit Acid Refiner, you may want to switch them off with the Super Hydrating Cream. An AMAZING and extremely versatile product is the Hydrating Hylauronic Gel which can be used over your lotions or even used as a mask. Hylauronic binds over 1,000 times it's weight in water to the skin and helps to seal in your moisturizer.

Remember the couple of minutes you devote to your skin pays off by taking years off your appearance. Hopefully by taking out a little time each day for self care you will also get more in touch with what your skin responds well to and how best to tend to it.