Combating the Elements

Thanks to good old Jack Frost, many women are noticing their usual make-up routine isn't quite cutting it. Even celebrities are having to take extra precautions to keep their skin glowing during the dull winter months.

"In the wintertime, your skin gets drier. So first and foremost, you want to make sure you keep it protected with a really good moisturizer," said Tiffany Carroll, makeup artist at Merle Norman Cosmetic Studio in Kokomo, Indiana.

With all the different skin types out there, each person’s moisture plan calls for a little customization.

For extra-dry skin, Carroll recommends a cream moisturizer. These are often more concentrated and can give your skin that additional dose of moisture.

As for combination skin, go for a moisturizer targeted more for oily skin, but don’t feel like you have to apply it all over. If only certain areas are troublesome, put it on those. You can always use a different moisturizer on the more oil-prone areas to keep them from looking shiny.

Even those who have extremely oil skin in the summertime and don’t bother with moisturizer should switch up their routine by adding in a light moisturizer. With the dry heat indoors and the frosty cold elements outdoors, your skin is no exception to winter problems.

"In the winter you may use something more for oily skin, but in the summer, you’d use something more for dry skin," Carroll said.

Finding the right moisturizer is all about trial and error, so you may need to experiment until you get it right. Check your local makeup retailers to see if they offer samples (Sephora is having a special on a variety of moisturizers).

Don’t forget the sunscreen. Just because it’s winter doesn’t mean your skin is safe. Even in the winter your skin is exposed to harmful UVA and UVB rays. UVA rays penetrate window glass, and the reflection added by the snow can send the rays right to your skin. Look for moisturizers with SPF to keep your skin out of harm’s way.

As for your lips, the whipping winds and the frigid air can leave them chapped and flaky. Combat this problem by exfoliating and continually moisturizing.

"It’s just as important to exfoliate your lips as it is to moisturize your lips," she said.

If you’re a lipstick wearer, you can apply the lipstick right over the gloss or balm to keep them looking smooth.

By being proactive in your moisture-search, you can keep your face looking as fresh as ever. Just because it’s winter doesn’t mean your face has to show it.