Beauty Tips Tuesday: Winter Skincare Tips.

Board-certified Dermatologist Dr. Jody Levine works with one of my favorite skincare brands, Algenist. She has put together a few great tips to boost any winter skincare routine.

CLEANSE

Your skincare routine each day should start and end with the use of a cleanser, so it is crucial to use one that is both dependable and hydrating. Often times cleansers can be too aggressive which can cause short-term and long-term damage to skin. It is important to use a gentle face wash to awaken the skin and leave it clean and restored. The Algenist Gentle Rejuvenating Cleanser digs deep to remove makeup and dirt, but remains gentle enough not to dry out the skin. Skin is instantly left smoothed, revived and radiant while the protective cells skin needs are left in place.
 
REDUCE WRINKLES

We all know that skin needs to be cleansed, moisturized and exfoliated on a regular basis, but the addition of a power-house serum into your skincare regime can quickly and effectively improve your skin’s health, in addition to solving a number of cosmetic problems. Serums not only moisturize, rejuvenate, lift and nourish skin; they also fight wrinkles and lines and help diminish the appearance of dark spots – all in just a few drops a day. Serums can also help boost the amount of collagen within the skin and provide much-needed nutrients to help counteract the signs of aging. Algenist’s Concentrated Reconstructing Serum is a favorite among many experts due to the clinically-proven decrease in wrinkles and increase in skin density and radiance which you’ll see in just 10 days of use.  It is a staple in my daily skincare routine.

MOISTURIZE

You don’t have to be a dermatologist to understand the importance of using a moisturizer, but what’s harder to recognize is the importance of finding the right moisturizer for your skin type. During the winter months, skin inevitably becomes dry, thus bringing to life a number of unwanted issues – from cracked skin and dehydration, to aging and wrinkles, dry skin is an issue that cannot be ignored. The Regenerative Anti-Aging Moisturizer from Algenist is a moisturizer like no other. The luxurious and moisturizing formula hydrates skin while also rebuilding firmness and elasticity. With regular use, the Regenerative Anti-Aging Moisturizer is proven to minimize the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles and pores leaving skin revived and hydrated.
 
BRIGHT EYED

Eyes are one of the first places that aging really shows, and unfortunately fine lines and wrinkles begin to appear in the delicate areas around your eyes much sooner than expected, taking many by surprise. But fear not! These lines can be slowed – or stopped – with the use of topical creams designed to moisturize, protect and reduce wrinkles. Build the usage of an eye cream into your routine each morning and evening as they really can improve the quality of skin around your eyes within weeks.  Algenist’s Complete Eye Renewal Balm is the perfect cream to lock water into the skin keeping it moisturized and firm, help diminish dark circles, puffiness and eye contours in just four weeks of daily use.

StriVectin–AR™ Advanced Retinol Night Treatment.

What happens when you marry two significant anti-aging ingredients in one? You get a powerful product, and that is just what the latest from StriVectin is. Simply, the new StriVectin–AR™ Advanced Retinol Night Treatment combines NIA-114™ with Retinol to make a product that is faster and smarter. That is what I want when it comes to anti-aging treatments.

I am sure you have heard of Retinol and just how powerful of an ingredient it is. Retinol is the usual go-to ingredient of scientists and dermatologists, and that is why you see it in so many products. It is a form of Vitamin A that is essential for skin cell turnover and growth. NIA-114™ is StriVectin's patented molecule. It is one of the most active forms of Niacin, and helps to strengthen the skins barrier as it gets down deeper into skins layers. So when these two ingredients are combined, the Retinol gets deeper into the layers of the skin with NIA-114™ , where you want it to work. The end result is a treatment that significantly reduces the appearance of deep-set wrinkles and fine lines, hydrates and deeply nourishes the skin, even the skins tone, makes firmness stronger, and refines texture.

I have been using StriVectin–AR™ Advanced Retinol Night Treatment for just over two weeks now. I use it at night only, after my serum and before my night-time moisturizer. Almost immediately I have noticed my skin take on a more radiant and youthful look. I cannot quite put my finger on it, but as my skin tone is much more even and firm, it just looks better. As I continue to use it, I expect to see at least some of the results that were found in clinical studies following 12 weeks of use:

• 26X improvement in skin tone
• 7X improvement in wrinkles
• 4X improvement in skin firmness
• 3X improvement in texture

If my early results are any indication, this is an anti-aging product that I will continue to use.

StriVectin–AR™ Advanced Retinol Night Treatment comes in one large 1.7 oz. size, and retails for $109.00. I use about the size of a dime to completely cover my face and neck. Shop online at strivectin.com or at Nordstrom.

Kiehl's Powerful Wrinkle Reducing Cream Collection.

Hey, if it is going to promise to reduce wrinkles, I am all over it. And I am totally all over this brand new trio of creams from Kiehl's - Powerful Wrinkle Reducing Cream, Powerful Wrinkle Reducing Eye Cream and Powerful Wrinkle Reducing Cream Broad Spectrum SPF30.

The Powerful Wrinkle Reducing Cream's were created to significantly improve elasticity, which in turn diminishes the look of fine lines, wrinkles and pores. The super smart Kiehl's chemists knew that to reduce wrinkles and address elasticity, they needed to focus on the skin's fiber network, which lives right beneath the skin's surface. The key ingredient is Copper, but also includes a mix of Calcium PCA and Apricot Kernel The formula works to reduce wrinkles, improve elasticity and protect the skin's moisture barrier to dramatically improve the skin's appearance.

I knew this cream was special when I simply rubbed a small amount of the Powerful Wrinkle Reducing Cream onto my hand. It instantly looked better. The cream itself is pretty thick, but sinks into skin quickly, while keeping it feeling hydrated. It really is comforting. I love that is pretty much scent free too. As I have used it every night over the past ten days, I have noticed my skin taking an overall better look. I am really hoping to see much needed improvement on my neck, as I have totally lost a lot of elasticity there. Time and more use will tell, and I will be sure to post an update.

To get the ultimate benefit, use the Powerful Wrinkle Reducing Cream Broad Spectrum SPF30 with the Powerful Wrinkle Reducing Eye Cream during the day, then again the Powerful Wrinkle Reducing Eye Cream and then the Powerful Wrinkle Reducing Cream at night.

The face creams retail for $52.00 each, with the eye cream costing $42.00. Shop at all Kiehl's locations, and online at kiehl's.com.