Let’s Seal the Deal on Dry Skin
Winter gives skin a one-two punch thanks to cold temperatures outside and dry air inside—so it’s time to cure dry, flaky, cracking skin with your clients. Our suggestion? Talk to them about coming in for a professional peel treatment to get their skin back on track and then take the time to work with them on a consistent home skincare routine designed specifically for dry and/or dehydrated skin.
One of the biggest challenges is to teach them that dry skin needs both hydration and moisture. Simply put, products that hydrate (e.g. serums and gels) add water, while products that moisturize (e.g. lotions, creams, and facial oils) seal in the moisture and help the skin retain water or help prevent trans-epidermal water loss. Well, when it comes to dry skin, both are crucial when it comes to healthy skin and protecting the skin’s barrier. Here’s how they can restore the glow while saying goodbye to dry, dehydrated skin.
Start with a Peel
Because peels are designed to remove superficial dead skin cells and stimulate cell turnover, winter is the ideal time to talk to your clients about a peel treatment. Dry and or dehydrated winter skin is prime for a little extra TLC, and a peel’s process is one of the best treatments for giving the skin a reboot. Depending on the active ingredients (such as salicylic, glycolic, and lactic acids, etc.) used in peels, they can boost collagen synthesis, hydrate the skin, alleviate pigmentation, and leave skin with a youthful glow.
Peels also will improve tone and texture by breaking down the top layer of dead skin. During the process, peels also help make the skin more receptive to skincare products, increasing efficacy and performance. Basically, a peel gives the skin a chance to regenerate and create fresh, new skin in a less invasive way.
As you work with your clients, modify your peel technique to concentrate on their primary skin type or other conditions such as acne, and don’t be afraid to mix products to come up with the ideal combination for their skin. They can also try an at home peel kit to keep their skin looking its best. Designed to exfoliate, repair the skin barrier and then add hydration it will help keep their skin on track throughout the winter.
Winter Skincare Routine
Emphasize the need for a consistent skincare routine with your clients that starts with understanding their skin type. Then have them make some winter skin swaps or additions to help alleviate winter dry skin challenges.
Remind them that consistency with products and routine is always important, even when the skin is dealing with secondary conditions such as dehydration or acne.
- Morning: Start with cleansing (milk or cream cleansers work best during the day on dry or combo skin types), then apply a hydrating serum or two (remind them it’s okay to layer serums), followed by a moisturizer to condition and soften the skin, as well as seal in the hydration and prevent moisture loss. Pat on an eye cream and then add sunscreen before applying any makeup.
- At Night: Swap their normal cleanser with a two-step cleansing system that will not only remove all the makeup and grime that’s accumulated on the skin during the day, but will also help other products penetrate the skin and increase their efficacy. Double-cleansing can both clean and exfoliate the skin, and keeps skin hyper-clean while not drying it out or negatively impacting the skin’s natural pH. Then follow the same steps as the morning routine, adding an essential oil as the last step.
Winter is the best time to incorporate a facial mask into their skincare routine. Depending on the ingredient profile and functionality of a particular mask, it can help lift away dullness, hydrate, soften, and restore the skin. Just think of it as that little skincare push to give the skin the boost it needs.