My skin has always been dry and sensitive, but became even more so after turning 50. And when winter rolls around, I sometimes feel the only way to counter the loss of dewiness is to slather on a whole jar of Vaseline. But, that’s not really practical, is it?
This year, I decided it was time to ramp up my skin care, starting with a visit to my dermatologist, Dr. Doris Day, one of the most celebrated skin specialists in the country.
After a thorough analysis of the state of my skin, and a review of my current skin care program, here’s what she recommended I do:
Stick with my prescription-strength retinol product but switch from nightly to only 2 to 3 nights a week in winter, and apply a thin coat of moisturizer on top to keep skin from getting overly dry. If you have never used retinol before, you may want to start slow with an over-the-counter option, and then work with your dermatologist on figuring out when you should switch up to the stronger, and more effective, choice.
Give skin a good exfoliation with an in-office procedure called dermaplaning, a technique whereby skin is scraped with a special dermatological razor. Here’s a 5-second video (actually 4 seconds!) Dr. Day sent to me which shows how it’s done: 1-dermplaning My skin glowed afterwards, and best part? Peach fuzz-free! My tinted moisturizer never looked better. Women who do this regularly (often monthly) swear by this approach for these reasons:
- Improves skin texture, tone and radiance
- Supports healthy collagen levels for firmer skin
- Accelerates skin’s natural exfoliation process
- Softens and smoothes skin
- Removes “peach fuzz” on cheeks, chin and even the area above eyebrows
Shake things up by trying new skin products that specifically target problem areas such as fine wrinkles and lines, dark spots, and dull skin. I recently attended a press event announcing the launch of a brand–Isdinceutics — that is a huge success in Spain and is now available in the United States for the first time (get it through your dermatologist). Dr. Day was one the of experts who addressed the group and told us about the many benefits of this new product line. During my recent appointment with her, she recommended several of the products to me, in this order:
ISDIN FLAVO-C: A powerful serum that combines Vitamin C and Gingko Biloba to help skin’s rejuvenation process and provides advanced environmental protection against UV-induced free radicals. I apply a few drops of this serum before anything else, and do a few push-ups while I wait for it to absorb.
ISDIN K-OX EYES: Frequent puffiness under my eyes is one of my biggest beauty bummers, but this complete eye contouring cream with ingredients Vitamin K Oxide, Haloxyl and Eyeliss, target the appearance of puffiness and dark circles. I tap a few drops in very gently with my finger tips until it’s completely absorbed.
ISDIN SKIN DROPS: This is a brilliant idea! I take a few drops (in Sand) of this product, and mix into a bit of CeraVe Daily Moisturizer with SPF 30 (Running low? Click on link on the right side of this page and buy right now!) and voila! I’ve made my own beautiful tinted moisturizer! Skin Drops can help you conceal a variety of common beauty imperfections such as uneven skin tone, broken capillaries, bruises, scars, and burns. Here’s something Dr. Day told me: for certain occasions such as a job interview, for example, Skin Drops can even conceal tattoos (note: I don’t have one : )). This lightweight liquid foundation is available with a dropper for easy application. Skin Drops has a silky texture that glides on easily for buildable coverage that lasts up to 12 hours. Skin Drops come in two shades, Sand and Bronze and can be blended together to cover a range of skin tones. Love, love, love this product. 
ISDINCEUTICS™ is at the forefront of scientific innovation in skincare; harnessing the power of vitamins and hydrators, rather than chemicals, to create the ultimate skincare routine. Check out the entire line right here, and talk with your dermatologist about which of these products are best for your skin care needs.
I think my skin will actually glow this winter!