I have been thinking about something a lot lately, and I am just going to come out and say it...I LOVE WINTER! This statement might not make me so popular, but it is 100% true. Perhaps it is because I am a December baby, because I have never lived anywhere that is hot in the winter, or because I love all snow sports and a crackling fire. Winter makes me happy— but my skin is a different story. I have very dry skin, and like many of you and your clients, winter is a time when I am constantly battling flaky, tight skin and what I call an ongoing case of the “night leg itchies.”
Luckily, I’ve got friends in spa places where the nourishing mask helps and facial oil chases my blues away...I’ll be okay.This issue of Skin Inc. is all about moisture, and not just because I need it, everyone with skin needs to trap and keep moisture in for healthy, glowing, soft skin. This is important for spring, summer and fall, but is especially important in winter, when humidity is decreased and skin takes a 25% hit in its ability to retain moisture.
We are addressing moisture from three different standpoints. First, Ginger Hodulik details the ingredients such as vitamin C and fatty acids that should be ingested and applied topically for better skin hydration. She explains the mechanisms of action for six different categories of ingredients, while adding dietary sources for the highest quanitites and best absorption.
Focusing more on the topical aspect, Jennifer Linder, Ph.D., differentiates between water- and oil-based hydration as well as humectants vs. occlusives, noting the components of a properly functioning stratum corneum. She also provides examples of skin-beneficial humectants and occlusives, adding daily home care and professional protocols that can help clients to attract and retain more moisture in their skin.
As Linder notes, proper hydration can only be achieved when the barrier is functioning. To this end, Susanne Schmaling describes the progressive treatment of corneotherapy. This approach omits the use of actives, emulsifiers, fragrances and chelating agents with the goal of restoring stratum corneum homeostasis. This topic is still being researched, but has shown benefits for some skin diseases.
You and your clients may not love winter as much as I do, but with this information, we hope to bestow a love for glowy, winter skin. Just don’t forget to drink enough water.
Yours in education,
Katie Anderson
Managing Editor
