Favorites for Pretty Winter Skin & Hair

It's that time of year again where my skin and hair start to get dry, flaky and generally scary!! I start to think I'm aging rapidly. I know a lot has to do with the extremely dry air we have at this time of year and also the cooler temps. We've been having fires and I'm finding myself eating more soups, and rich and salty foods. All contribute to dry and dull skin. I've been trying to remind myself to hydrate and eat more greens.

In the meantime, I've restocked my arsenal of winter beauty products I use to cope and prevent myself from appearing like an apple core doll by December!! Some of them you may already use and some may be new. I have sensitive skin that has bouts of rosacea and also acne. Argh! I've spent years finding what doesn't make me break out while searching for natural ingredients whenever I can.

Here's my personal cold weather favorites. Some natural and plant based and a few are not. You can find a link online for each in the names, if you can't find in your stores.

Cerave Hydrating Cleanser is all I ever use now. My dermo first got me onto this and it leaves a layer of protection after washing with it that prevents irritation and redness flare-ups. It's easily found at most drugstores now. I know so many friends who also are hooked on this! Two ingredients - ceramides prevent irritation and redness and hyaluronic acid which attracts moisture make this special thought it looks quite generic in packaging and price. Hyaluronic acid is wonderful at plumping up the skin and making it soft. Dr Oz's blog also wrote about it's benefits.

Vitamen C Ester Serum by Perricone MD I have to have a serum in winter and fall and this is wonderful for brightening and giving a glow. I like to layer this one under my sunscreen, but I have also used the Jan Marini one and in a pinch the $36 all natural Jason version, has been good too. I just always like to be using a C Ester product to keep free radicals at bay and help with dark spots. I do find religious use does make a difference.

Weleda Calendula Baby Face Cream. I found this by accident when shopping for their Skin Food. As with all Weleda products, it's all plant based and so pure it's almost edible. It's a little cheaper than the their other face creams and I actually like it better. I pat this on at night to wake up with baby soft skin and also use it over my retin-a that I deploy a few nights a week. I have it by my bed and in my purse too. Love!

Elta MD UV Clear SPF 46. This lovely sunscreen was recommended by my dermo for sensitive skins like mine that break out. Wonderful texture and light feel. It actually leaves my skin looking better and is a perfect base for foundation. Since my IPL Treatment at SkinSpirit I've been fanatic about protecting my face from new sun damage and this has really helped.

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