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Making the cold more beautiful makes the cold more sunshining. I’m so excited that Mira from Rosemira (oh I love this line!)  is making the most of winter skin. 

1.I’ve had a hard time keeping a “serious” regime for skin… what’s actually necessary?

There is a long answer and a short answer to this question, depending on what you prefer to publish: first here is the long version:

This is a great question which all of us grapple with at one time or another. As with any routine or regimen, it has to fit our personality. Some people like to exercise 90 minutes every day, others prefer a longer workout 3 times a week. Some have an affinity to running, while others prefer Tai Qi or Yoga. And while the optimal is to participate is some form of exercise on a daily basis, the type of exercise is not as important as one’s affinity with it and expecting ourselves to participate in a form of exercise we do not resonate with will most likely result in a failure to remain consistent and get the results we want. Sometimes it is just a matter of starting gently with something you have an affinity with. As you build momentum and the results become noticeable, it becomes easier to maintain and the once forced regimen becomes a simple habit. The same goes to diet and to skin “diet”.

First and foremost regardless on how simple or complex you’d like to be in your routine, I would start by by removing from your regimen anything that is harmful for your skin. Products with synthetic ingredients, toxic preservatives, additives, fillers and dies, alcohol and added fragrances. (You would not want to eat foods laced with herbicides, fruit which is picked before it is ripened and shot with chemicals to speed up the process during transport). Similarly you want to provide your skin with a healthy diet, how healthy and how extreme you will be depends entirely on you. This also does not depend on age, it is important to eat healthy and exercise at any age. We do not start brushing our teeth when they start falling out. Similarly a consistent skin care regimen should be started early on and maintained as a habit throughout one’s life.

For a simple regimen while still expecting results, the basic products required at the least are: A gentle non-stripping Cleanser like a Cleansing Milk or Gel Cleanser, Toner (only Hydrosol based), Serum and Moisturizing Cream (day, night or either) and an Eye Cream.  If that is all you can do initially it will definitely keep your skin happy and healthy. For more stellar results I believe it is essential to exfoliate, detoxify and stimulate circulation every month. A Clay Masque once a week is an important addition to a basic regimen. And if you are using foundation remove it immediately upon getting home allowing your skin to breathe.

For those who are willing and inclined to spent a little bit more time and effort for more stellar and long term results, I would suggest 2 different Cleansers- an Exfoliating Cleanser, or a Gel Cleanser and a Moisturizing Cleanser, a Hydrosol Toner, two different Serums for day and night (which should be changed with the seasons and concerns that might arise), a Day Moisturizing Cream, Night Cream and an Eye Cream. A Clay Masque several times a week, alternating with a ‘gentle’ Exfoliating Facial Scrub and a peel (soon to be released) once a week. (I am also working on a DIY face lift which I would recommend to add to one’s routine from the age of 30 onwards, initially once or twice a month and as we grow older on a weekly basis).

Of-course then we have to modify our regimen to fit our skin types or challenges, but I do believe most skin challenges are really skin out of balance and as our regimens become more balanced across our habits, eating, drinking water, exercising, meditating, having fun, the skin will be brought into balance as well.

The Shorter version to this same answer:

First and foremost, regardless of how simple or complex you’d like to be in your routine, I’d start by removing from your regimen anything that is harmful for your skin. Products with synthetic ingredients, toxic preservatives, additives, fillers and dies, alcohol and added fragrances. You want to nourish your skin with a healthy diet, For a simple regimen while still expecting results, the basic products required are: A Cleanser, Toner (only Hydrosol based), Serum and Moisturizing Cream (day, night or either) and an Eye Cream. If that is all you can do initially, it will definitely keep your skin happy and healthy. For more stellar results it is essential to exfoliate, detoxify and stimulate circulation every month. A Clay Masque once a week is an important addition to a basic regimen. And if you are using foundation, remove it immediately upon getting home, allowing your skin to breathe.

For those inclined to spend a bit more time and effort for more stellar and long term results, I suggest 2 Cleansers- an Exfoliating Cleanser and a Moisturizing Cleanser, a Hydrosol Toner, two different Serums for day and night, a Day Moisturizing Cream, Night Cream and an Eye Cream. A Clay Masque several times a week, alternating with a ‘gentle’ Exfoliating Facial Scrub and a peel once a week. Most skin challenges are skin out of balance and, as our regimens become more balanced across our habits, eating, drinking water, exercising, meditating, the skin will be brought into balance as well.

2. How can you safeguard your skin in the cold?

Hydrate inside and out- i.e. drink lots of water and use a Hydrosol Toner several times a day. While it feels like a Toner would be used more frequently during the summer months to refresh, cool and hydrate, it is particularly important during cold and dry months. Follow the Toner with a Moisturizing element— a Serum and /or Moisturizing Cream. The most important Moisturizing product I’d recommend is a truly moisturizing cream. By ‘truly’ I mean a cream which isn’t filled with damaging-drying ingredients like alcohol, but rather with truly healthy ingredients to support your skin’s inherent moisture. Hydrate with a Toner and apply the Moisturizing Cream while your skin is still slightly moist

Remember we have skin over our entire body. In the winter it is particularly important to use a Body butter or a rich body lotion (not a water based, thin and fast absorbing lotion) on a daily basis, preferably after a shower while your skin is still slightly damp. The results of that healthy habit are truly amazing.

3. My hands are looking wintery right now… that’s the best I can explain it. How can I put the sparkle back in my weatherized skin?

This goes back to my previous answer. We have to put attention to our hands, feet and everything inbetween. I guarantee that if you use one of our body butters: Sweet Coconut Body Butter, Alluring Jasmine Body Butter, or our rich body lotion My Present- Crème de Corps Body Lotion on a regular basis you will be amazed at the results. Whether it is just the winter dryness, or if you suffer from a medical condition such as aff functioning thyroid (hypothyroid) your skin will feel smooth and soft and will look alive with this simple addition to your routine. And for those of us who are willing to put in a little bit more effort, using a salt, sugar or other exfoliating body scrub will rejuvenate your skin and stimulate lymph and blood circulation, to promote the inner youth and thus outer youthful appearance and feel of your skin. No more weatherized, leatherized skin…

4.Are there any superfoods you suggest for skin?

The health of our gut is one of the most important aspects to a healthy body and skin. Probiotics in particular are arguably more crucial than any other nutritional supplement, because by supporting digestion our body is able to absorb the nutrients from the rest of our foods more efficiently and thoroughly.

Nuts and Seeds are essential to health. Almonds in particular are more alkaline forming than other nuts and are rich in Vitamin E, Amino Acids, and Calcium. Walnuts are wonderful too. Pumpkin Seeds are the most alkaline forming among seeds, and are a rich source of Protein, Iron , Magnesium, Potassium, Biotin and Omega 3 Fatty Acids.

Greens: Green leafy foods such as spinach, broccoli, kale, watercress and collards are rich in vitamins A, C, E, K and B as well as Iron. In green foods these nutrients are more readily available and easily absorbed. Spirulina- a dark green seaweed is great source of Biotin, Protein, Iron and Vitamin B12.

Orange root vegetables such as Sweet potatoes, carrots, Pumpkins and Winter squash are rich in Vitamins A & C- important specifically for the health of nails, skin and hair.

Oats: (non-GNO, Old fashioned rolled oats or steel cut oats) are a very inexpensive superfood. They provide Protein, Biotin and other B Vitamins, the minerals Magnesium and Potassium, fiber and antioxidants. A lot to get from one food.

Berries are also wonderful antioxidant foods and rich in vitamins. Among them- Acai berries, Blueberries, Raspberries, Kiwis and Noni Berries are rich sources of Vitamins A, C, and E.

Dark chocolate, not just any chocolate. Chocolate with high flavanol content and 60% cacao helps skin stay hydrated and protects it from sun damage.

There are many other foods which are important for our general health and the health of our skin in particular. Remember most importantly to eat healthy non processed foods and don’t stick to one food. When eating berries don’t stick to one only, eat a variety., Same goes to nuts, seeds, greens etc.

Here are Mira’s picks from her own life for winter: 

Rich Moisturizing Cleanser (unscented) or with essential oils as in Tangerine Frosting Rich Cleansing Cream

Hydrosol Toner: Any will do depending on your scent preference and skin type.  For winter I prefer the Roses In Bloom Hydrating Toner

Serum: I love Serum, so there are many to choose from. I would suggest Skin Sonata Argan Oil Infusion for day time use, and    Skin Lullaby Anti-Wrinkle Serum as your night time serum. If you do not like Floral scents instead of Skin Sonata use See Me C Repair Serum or Gorgeous Gold Stem Cell Serum

Moisturizing Cream: either Citrus or Rose depending on your preference and skin type, and an Eye Cream

And for your Body, hands & feet: Sweet Coconut Body Butter or rich Body Lotion: My Present- Crème de Corps Body Lotion.

For your lips: A nutrient rich healing Lip Balm like our Banana Balm Lip Balm, but any of our Lip Balms will work splendidly.

Take great care of your skin and your skin will reflect it magnificently!

xoxo Dana

 

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