Winter Skincare Tips - Guest Blogger Ada Polla of Alchimie Forever Skincare

Guest Blogger - Ada Polla: CEO of popular skin care company Alchimie Forever

Maybe it’s a Swiss thing, but I love the late fall and early winter, which bring with them the holidays, the cold, snow, and cashmere sweaters. My skin, however, suffers during this time of year. Colder temperatures, the drier air, and heated interiors leave my skin feeling dry and flaky, sometimes even uncomfortable, rough, and red. Here are some tips I follow year after year to help my complexion remain calm, hydrated, and radiant throughout the winter.

1. I switch to our gentle cream cleanser. While I love a foaming cleanser during the warmer months, and the feel of “squeaky clean” skin, this does not work for me in colder, drier weather.
2. Even though a hot bath or shower is oh-so tempting in cooler temperatures, I try to resist. Hot water will break down the skin’s natural moisturizing lipids and leave it feeling even drier.
3. I switch to our Kantic+ intensely nourishing cream. Year-round, this is my go-to cream when I travel by plane, which is so dehydrating to my skin. In the winter, I love this nourishing cream every day. I keep one at home and one in the office, as I like to reapply throughout the day, in particular before going outside.
4. I also switch to a more hydrating body cream. I love the thickness and scent of Aveda’s Caribbean Therapy cream to ensure no “crocodile-like” legs.
5. As a hydrating-booster treatment, I like to use our Kantic brightening moisture mask at least twice weekly. I apply it first thing in the morning upon entering the bathroom, and remove it at the end of my shower. It doesn’t add any time to my routine, and gives me instant hydration and radiance.
6. I like a good humidifier to help combat the air’s dryness. A low-cost alternative is to simply place bowls of water in the rooms you spend most of your time in. As the water evaporates, it will add moisture to the air.
7. I protect my hands with gloves when going outside, and use hand cream religiously, at least after every time I wash my hands. Of course, I love our antioxidant relief for hands and feet.
8. I also protect my lips, which are always dryer in the winter. I carry Elizabeth Arden’s Eight Hour cream in my purse at all times. It is super hydrating, and doubles as lip gloss.
9. On the ski slopes in particular, I remember to use a high SPF sunscreen (I love Anthelios), as the snow reflects UV rays and makes them even more damaging.
10. Finally, I try to remember to hydrate from the inside out by drinking a lot of water – either with my favorite Super Orange Emergen-C, or as a cup of hot, freshly-brewed green tea.