Save your Skin when you head south this winter!

Winter in North America can be harsh. The severe changes from heat to cold, heat to cold can cause damage, dehydration, dryness, chapped skin, broken capillaries, and more. When we're staying put for the winter, we manage with super hydration and deep moisturizing products. 

When we travel to a warm climate for a week or two, our skin gets a bit confused.  Used to the cold and then suddenly exposed to bright sun
and consistently warm temperatures - as nice as it feels - our skin needs specific care.  

Here is my list of must-have products and skin care steps for your winter-time beach vacation:

PRE-TAN by booking a spray tan salon service a few days before you go. Exfoliate your skin thoroughly the day of your service - use a loofah and some great grainy exfoliant to remove all the dry and dead skin. Book your service later in the day and sleep with the product on. Shower off in the morning and you'll be glowing!  Find a salon that uses Fake Bake - or purchase some Fake-Bake to use at home. It's a great product that has a pleasant fragrance. The SanTropez mousse, and the Bioderma Photoderm Autobranzant Moisturizing Tanning Spray are also excellent products available at Shopper's Drug Mart.

SUNSCREEN!!! Use a high SPF 50 or greater every day on your face and decolletage. I highly recommend Avene 50SPF for face and body. It's non-greasy, you won't burn, and colour will develop nicely.  On your legs, go with a lighter SPF 15 + and something with a tint for a little extra colour. Don't forget to protect your lips with a good lip balm. 

PROTECT YOUR HAIR - Playing in the Ocean feels great - but the salt water can be especially drying and damaging on your hair. Rinse off salt water immediately with fresh water, and really rinse hair well. Comb gently with a wide tooth comb and let air dry for nice beachy waves. A little drop of coconut oil massaged though damp hair will add some softness.

NOURISH YOUR SKIN - After a day at the beach, get ready for a relaxing evening. After  showering, begin to replenish your skin with nourishing products. Start with a spray of rose hydrosol, or Avene's Thermal Spring Water. These are both excellent for any overexposure and sunburn. Follow with Lise Watier's Sublimescence serum for face and eyes. It's loaded with Labrador Tea extract that fights free radical damage and deeply nourishes your skin. You may find you need several applications as the product absorbs so quickly. Add a light luminizing moisturizer, like Janssen's Aquatense Moisture Gel or Vichy's Idelia Illuminating Cream. Your skin will be refreshed, soft, and replenished.  Add a touch of illuminating foundation. some hydrating lipstick, and mascara.  You're ready to watch the sun set with a cocktail and then dance the night away!

Book yourself in for a facial a week or two after your return to
reaclimate your skin and to nourish and replenish much needed moisture.
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