Creating a mid-Winter Sparkle!
by Tammy Kroll

Find yourself avoiding the mirror lately? Approaching a milestone birthday, perhaps? With the glorious sun kissed skin of summer long gone and fresh off the stress of holiday parties, chores and all its affects, we are now bustling to get back into regular mid-winter routines. Trying to relax, you may be simply strolling down the lovely Center for a mid-day walk or some week-end shopping, when suddenly it happens! You get a glimpse of a pale, dull, tired looking stranger in a disturbingly reflective storefront.  “How could that new spring/summer sleeveless number you just bought, ever look good on such sallow, flaky, dry skin?”

Although the bright shining holiday string lights are long since packed away, there is still time to transform with my 3 ‘EEEsy’ ways to let YOUR light shine this season:  Exfoliate, Enrich and Enhance!

Exfoliate
It’s important to continuously remove the outside dead layers of winter skin to reveal new vibrant skin underneath.  There are some amazing products on the market to achieve the desired result.  Botanically based ones are the safest and healthiest.  The older you are the more important it is to choose less abrasive methods like a natural papaya enzyme mask.  Retinoid, a derivative of vitamin A, is another key ingredient and can give quick results…2 to 4 weeks depending on the strength of the product.  This would be applied at night since the ingredient itself can interact with the sun, making skin more sensitive.  A product that comes in a tub with slightly rough pads that can be run over the face and neck are the easiest way to apply  (Tip: Before I throw a pad away I run it over each forearm, another place aging pops up quickly.  For your body I recommend a sugar or sea salt scrub toward the end of your shower 2-3 times a week.  Find one with mood elevating therapeutic oils like lemon and rosemary.

Enrich
This is a two-part step.  The first is moisture that really sinks into your skin.  Avoid those products that contain mineral-oil type of ingredients which just sit on top of your skin (even quality ingredients that may be in the product will not penetrate).  Instead, choose products that contain botanically based oils that will deliver nutrients deep into the layers of your skin, such as Sweet Almond and ones rich in anti-oxidant vitamins like A, C and Raspberry Oil, which is very high in vitamin E.  These products should also contain an SPF of at least 20 to protect your skin from the damaging effects of even the winter sun.  Without the shade of the trees you may be getting more exposure than you think.  Your newly exfoliated skin will need that protection.

The second step is nutrition. I can’t stress this simple rule enough: Eat more veggies and less fat and sugar!  And I’m not talking about high carb/starchy vegetables such as potatoes and corn. Squeeze in as many greens as you can every day, such as spinach and kale.  Orange veggies like squash and carrots, containing beta carotene, actually give your skin a nice glow.  Even green and red vegetables contain carotenoids that enhance your coloring. You will be amazed at the transformation of your skin in just a short time of healthy eating!  Fruits like oranges are good too, but in limited amounts because of their sugar/carb content.  It may be a rough start at first, especially if your system is used to sugar and fat, but it will be well worth the effort.  Before you know it, your body will be craving those vitamin-enriched veggies.

Enhance
If a little more skin tone or color is still needed, nix the unsafe tanning bed and invest in a good self-tanner which will go on smooth and evenly on your newly exfoliated skin.  Don’t forget to wash your hands to avoid orange palms.  Then apply to the backs of your hands…a spray is usually good for this, though you still need to rub the backs of your hands together making sure you go all the way to the finger tips and blend back down to your forearms.  On your face, try one of the new BB or CC creams out for fun.  Some products contain a built in highlighter.  Finish off with a bit of reflective powder or bronzer on your cheekbones, upper chest or décolleté, and shoulders for a final shimmer!

Now you are ready for spring!  And, it doesn’t matter that days are longer and a brighter springtime sun will be streaming into your home…you will be the one lighting up the room!