One of the most important lipid categories that make up human sebum is ceramides. Ceramides are naturally able to fill in the gaps between the skin cells and are a critical component in keeping the skin strong & moisturized.

Over time, ceramide levels in the skin become depleted, leading to dryness and dehydration. This lack of moisture in the skin makes it look saggy and tired and emphasizes wrinkles. Low levels of ceramides can lead to a variety of inflammatory skin conditions, which lead to redness and irritation as well as long-term damage.

​Look for ceramides in moisturizers to keep your skin soft & supple this winter.

Shea butter, one of the most bioactive emollients found in skincare, is derived from shea nuts and comprised primarily of triglycerides, fats that also occur naturally in human sebum. When applied to the skin, these triglycerides sink into the gaps between dead skin cells, where they combat dryness by acting as softening emollients and keeping moisture in the skin.

One of the most unique things about shea butter is its ability to visibly soothe facial redness and neutralize the oxidation caused by external irritants, a leading cause of visible skin aging.

​Look for shea butter in moisturizers to keep your skin soft & soothed this winter.

Signs of aging manifest slowly and steadily if you are regularly following a daily skincare regimen. However, if you’ve been less consistent with your at-home care, you could be aging faster than necessary.

​1. Wrinkled Hands
We often neglect our hands when it comes to skincare, even though they are more exposed to sun than other body parts. Consequently, your hands may age faster than your face. The skin on your hands is delicate, tending to thin out and become leathery as wrinkles develop. Use a hand & body lotion rich in not only hydration, but in anti-aging ingredients used on the face: vitamin C, grape seed oil, macadamia oil, jojoba oil and shea butter. Your skin’s barrier will be stronger, resulting in more supple, stronger skin that locks in moisture and repels irritants.

​2. Crow’s Feet & Laugh Lines
Crow’s feet and laugh lines are among the very first signs of aging. Over time, your skin produces less collagen and those wrinkles that appear from squinting and laughing become permanent. Combat them while strengthening your skin with a serum rich in stem cells, phytonutrients & vitamin C. These ingredients encourage smoothness and stimulate cellular renewal.

Signs of aging manifest slowly and steadily if you are regularly following a daily skincare regimen. However, if you’ve been less consistent with your at-home care, you could be aging faster than necessary.

1. Increase in Brown Spots
Brown spots (hyperpigmenttions) are obvious signs of aging. They result from your body’s melanin overproduction, occurring when your skin is overexposed to the sun. Fight them back, and prevent future dark spots, with serums containing botanical brighteners & vitamin C. Be sure to use sunscreen over any serums to ensure their effectiveness (as well as diminish the effects of the sun’s harmful rays.) Mineral sunscreen, SPF 30 or greater, absorbs quickly without a white cast or residue and doesn’t clog pores.
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2. Dry Skin, Even After Moisturizing
As skin ages, it produces less and less oil, and the lipids (natural moisturizers) in your skin decrease. To replenish this natural store and keep moisture locked in, employ a highly emollient moisturizing crème that contains vitamin C, hyaluronic acid and/or shea butter. Together or apart, these ingredients restore hydration and boost your skin’s lipid layer for continual hydration.

Morning: 

1. Cleanse with a neutral cleanser, double cleanse if you’re not prone to skin sensitivity.
2. Apply an antioxidant serum to reduce free radical damage; Vitamin C-based serums work on both dry and oily skin types.
3. Finish with a moisturizer that contains sunscreen SPF 30 or higher.

Evening:

1. Cleanse with a neutral cleanser, you can use the same one you use in the morning.
2. Apply a repairing serum to help in turning over new skin cells & stimulating collagen production to repair any damage that has occurred throughout the day.
3. Finish with a moisturizer that is lighter in texture.

**Don't forget to pack some nourishing sheet masks to pamper your skin on a whim.

Licorice Extract
Useful for calming redness, swelling, itching, and redness, licorice extract contains components that actively inhibit inflammation in the skin. It’s also a powerful antioxidant and can help brighten skin by inhibiting the production of pigment.

Green Tea
Green tea is an abundant source of plant polyphenols, which have been shown to reduce inflammation and also have protective effects on the skin against sun-induced free radicals, redness, and skin aging when used topically or taken orally.

​Centella Asiatica
Also known as tiger grass, this plant has a history of use for its anti-inflammatory benefits. It can soothe the skin and calm down redness. It has been shown to help with revitalizing the skin’s barrier, hydrating & mitigating the effects of sun damage.

Do use lotion, even when your skin doesn't feel dry. Apply moisturizer onto damp skin to help lock in water before it evaporates.

Don't use too much. Quality moisturizers are highly concentrated and designed to be effective without a thick layer. If you use too much, it's more likely to sit on the surface of your skin, occlude the surface and potentially trigger breakouts.

​Do look for products that match your skin type. While there are common allergens that are present in many lotions, look for those free of parabens, fragrances and aloe that can irritate sensitive skin or allergies.

Hyaluronic acid, now found in many skin care products, is a substance produced naturally by the skin. Although our body produces hyaluronic acid naturally, the skin produces less as we age, making the skin drier over time. It’s a humectant, absorbing and retaining water to give support and structure to the skin. It can plump up the cells, making the skin dewier and more moist, and minimizing the appearance of fine lines. Hyaluronic absorbs and retains up to 1,000 times its weight in water, making it a powerful hydrator. When used in moisturizers and serums, it penetrates the skin barrier to increase hydration. Hyaluronic acid is suitable for all skin types, often soothing sensitive skin conditions.

Even though those of us with oily skin might forgo moisturizing so as not to appear shiny, if you don’t moisturize, your skin can look dull, increasing the appearance of wrinkles. Look for oil-free, magnifying, and/or lightweight moisturizers that contain dimethicone, hyaluronic acid, or niacinamide. Niacinamide absorbs sebum, stimulates collagen production and strengthens our skin’s barrier. It's can also reduce hyperpigmentations and large pores.

​For dry skin, look for glycerin, ceramides, and hyaluronic acid. Ceramides are fats that occur naturally in our skin, soaking up water so the skin cells stays hydrated.