Drying Our Patience
Boston-based esthetician Natalie Maibenko from Unique Verve on Newbury Street has the honor of winning Boston’s Best Facial title by InStyle Magazine, Allure Magazine, and Improper Bostonian along with winning…
Boston-based esthetician Natalie Maibenko from Unique Verve on Newbury Street has the honor of winning Boston’s Best Facial title by InStyle Magazine, Allure Magazine, and Improper Bostonian along with winning Best of Boston (two times!) by Boston Magazine. She draws from her years of experience to share her tips on tackling winter skin.
What are some of the problems/causes for skin in winter?
- Cold, dry air and an indoor heat cause dryness, and worsens impaired skin conditions such as eczema, dermatitis and acne.
- How to address this problem: make sure to integrate the products containing emollients such as Shea butter, glycerin, squalene, etc. Have a humidifier at home and the desk version if you have an office job. Skin loves water and moisture and it functions properly in the presence of water!
Do you have any tips to share?
- Deep cleanse with a pre-cleansing oil which will help to soften the skin, decongest congested pores and gently remove dead skin cells while maintaining healthy skin barrier.
- Use a toner based on AHA such as lactic acid - it will assist in gentle exfoliation and product absorption while improving hydration and reducing hyper-pigmentation.
- Apply your products while skin is damp after the toner - this will ensure better product penetration. Apply your products in order of density, from thinnest to thickest. Don’t let your products just sit on the surface of the skin but massage them with the upward and outward strokes. Massage will improve the penetration rate of applied products as well as micro-circulation and lymphatic system which are essential for properly-functioning, healthy skin.
- In the morning always apply physical SPF based on titanium dioxide and/or zinc oxide (it’s the last step before the makeup) - despite the weather and season of the year we are always exposed to dangerous UVA rays!
What are some of your favorite products?
The Environ Intensive Revival Masque--based on 3 gentle Alpha Hydroxy Acids (lactic, mandalic, asiatic acid) - hydrates, brightens, gives a lift, refines pores, increases the look of smoother, more youthful, radiant, rejuvenated skin.- Environ Focus Care Youth+ Tri-Peptide Complex Avance Elixir - based on 3 peptides. Trylagen (one of the peptides) is particularly powerful because it works on all aspects of collagen creation. This serum also contains Měritage, a blend of 3 roots used in Chinese medicine that has powerful brightening effect.
- Excellent in the winter months, the Environ Intensive Hydrating Oil Capsules is also great for travel on airplanes, as a make-up primer and ESPECIALLY for smokers because of a special ingredient called beta sitosterol.
- Environ Youth EssentiA Anti-Oxidant Defence Crème is packed with powerful anti-oxidants such as vitamin C, E, lycopene, green tea, rosemary extract, squalene, panthenol, jojoba Oil, Vitamin b12 and lutein. Lutein in this cocktail is particularly valuable because it filters high-energy blue light, which destroys vitamin C in the skin. Unfortunately with the new era of LED lights, laptops, gadgets etc. we are even more exposed to blue light than ever before! So this powerful antioxidant moisturizer helps to protect the skin from harmful free radicals created by high-energy blue light. (Available at dermaconcepts.com/)
We checked around for more ideas to help skin during the winter months:
CLARINS’ fan favorite Double Serum Complete Age Control Concentrate visibly smoothes lines and wrinkles, firms skin, tightens pores, and boosts radiance. The new dial pump releases a customized amount of product into your hand—according to your skin’s needs, the climate, and the season. They include organic plant ingredients, use eco-friendly packaging, and set up Fair Trade agreements as part of their commitment to supporting the environment and social causes. (Available at clarinsusa.com)
The latest launch from StriVectin is The Advanced Acids Collection. RESURFACE: Glycolic Skin Resent Mask uses slow-release Glycolic Acid to exfoliate with minimal irritation. REHYDRATE + REPLUMP: Hyaluronic Dual-Response Serum is a dual-chamber, dual-action serum that combines the powerful effects of NIA-114 and Hyaluronic Acid to rehydrate and replump skin. REPAIR: Oleic Rapid Recovery Milk is an intensely nourishing concentrate to repair visible signs of aging and sooth dry, damaged skin. (Available at strivectin.com)
Farmhouse Fresh took their top-selling Three Milk Ageless Day Cream into a complementary night cream with the new Three Milk Ageless Night Cream. The formula contains botanical milks to calm skin, skin-restoring peptides to target deep wrinkles, restorative retinol, and other moisture-boosting ingredients to deliver a more youthful appearance. The Moon Dip Back to Youth Body Mousse is a new addition to their Ageless skincare line. It includes retinol and vitamin-rich emollient oils that lock in hydration and suppleness for neck, legs and body. (Available at farmhousefreshgoods.com/)
Murad welcomes in the new year with two new launches. The Nutrient-Charged Water Gel is a weightless, water-based formula that increases hydration retention for up to five days. Five peptides help repair and restore damaged skin while Vitamins B3, B5, B6, B9, C and E alleviate dryness and provide anti-wrinkle benefits. The Multi-Vitamin Infusion Oil is a multi-vitamin, multi-purpose intuitive oil to work with your skin to target individual skincare needs. The formula is powered by six key vitamins to provide skin with the nutrients it needs. It can also be used on the body, hair, nails, and cuticles to deliver nutritious benefits to those areas too. (Available at murad.com/)
CLOVE & HALLOW, winner of the 2017 Women’s Health Beauty Award, create products that are natural, vegan and cruelty-free (they’re a member of Leaping Bunny). The Makeup Melt is a gentle balm-to-oil cleanser that melts away makeup (even waterproof eyeliner and mascara) and impurities while nourishing the skin. The Lip Crème hydrates lips with a formula of natural and organic jojoba, castor and sunflower oils and is available in nine shades. (Available at cloveandhallow.com)
Elizabeth Arden’s Ceramide Replenishing Cleansing Oil is a multitasking cleanser ideal for removing makeup (even waterproof mascara) while nourishing skin with essential lipids to leave it feeling clean, soft, and moisturized. It fuses the emollient, antioxidant and conditioning properties of Apricot, Safflower and Olive Oils to dissolve cosmetic debris and sebum, while helping to restore the skin’s barrier layer. (Available at elizabetharden.com/)
NEWA is an at-home anti aging beauty device that rebuilds collagen to reduce wrinkles, and lift and tighten facial skin using Endymed’s Professional 3DEEP technology. It stimulates the skin’s natural collagen for younger looking skin for both immediate and long-term effect. NEWA treatments are comfortable, safe, and pain-free. (Available at newabeauty.com)
Violets Are Blue is an organic skincare line started by Cynthia Besteman (after her breast cancer diagnosis) from her personal need for skincare that is natural and safe. The Beloved Facial Serum uses Argan, Jojoba and essential oils in an easily absorbed serum. Tackle dried heels with the Beloved Foot Salve, it uses Shea and Cocoa Butter for aged, cracked, and damaged skin. The Face & Body Lotion, from the Signature Line, is a gentle lotion ideal for sensitive skin, leaving it supple and soft. The Facial Scrub exfoliates dead skin cells using Organic Cane Sugar, Calendula, and Oatmeal. (Available at violetareblueskincare.com)
