Those who live a holistic life understand the benefit of a healthy diet based on local, seasonal foods. This same principle applies to skin care too! Products should be a fresh, healthy meal for the skin, filled with essential vitamins and antioxidants.
Taking a seasonal approach to a beauty regimen ensures that the skin does not reach a plateau and become immune to the ingredients that are used consistently. This can happen in as little as two or three months. With seasonal skin care, you avoid this issue and your treatments will always be effective.
Another practical reason for seasonal formula changes is the weather’s effect on the skin. Creams and lotions should be more emollient in the winter and lighter in the summer to compensate for temperature and humidity fluctuations. Though the ingredients should be adjusted, the primary purpose of each product should remain the same regardless of your guests’ skin care goals.
Fall and Winter
The winter months involve colder weather, dry indoor heat, harsh wind and other outdoor elements that wear on our skin. To protect itself, skin regenerates faster, which pushes more dead skin cells to the surface. It often leaves the complexion looking and feeling dry and wrinkly.
Using heavy butters and oils on these dead skin layers is ineffective without exfoliation. Exfoliate with serums containing natural enzymes, fruit acids or whole fruit extracts to get rid of excess dead skin cells. After exfoliating, apply hydrating products followed by emollients to lock it in.
Exfoliation will also help smooth wrinkles, hydrate, brighten and nourish the skin with antioxidants. Topical and internal antioxidants are essential for restoring damage from the oxidative stress caused by the sun. Grape seed, rosehip, aronia berries, cranberries and sea buckthorn oil all contain potent antioxidants that brighten, nourish and firm the skin.
Continue Reading our Digital Magazine to learn more about natural seasonal treatments...
Elina Fedotova is the founder and chief formulator of Elina Organics, offering award-winning organic formulations since 1998. Her product line is handmade in small batches using holistic principles. Fedotova is also president of the Association of Holistic Skin Care Practitioners.
