For many of us, this is the time of year where our skin begins to flare up and show its angriest side. Our Wisconsin winter may make your skin feel like its flaking off, or your acne may have decided that the dryness of the season is the perfect breeding ground for a colony to erupt on your face. Regardless of what skin concerns you are facing today, there are some simple steps you can take to show your skin some extra love and enjoy that sought after glow regardless of the wind or the cold. 

1.) Drink That Water

One of the very best things you can do for your skin is to keep it hydrated. Water helps your skin appear more full, glowy, and plump — filling in those wrinkles, minimizing those pores, and adding a glow your skin. On the other hand, when your skin gets dehydrated, your skin can appear dull and tired-looking, your wrinkles and pores can seem more prominent, and your breakouts might worsen. My #1 tip — wake up in the morning and have a big glass of water to start your day. You will feel so refreshed, surprisingly energized, and you will have gotten in some extra hydration before there was time to give it a second thought!

2.) Catch Some Zzz’s 

Sleep is one of the most important things you can do to help your skin — and your whole self be at its best. When you miss a good night’s rest, your body doesn’t get the chance to go into repair mode and all of the skin concerns we look to avoid ( aging skin, acne, dullness, pigmentation issues) continue to grow. When you get a good night’s sleep, your blood flow increases, you begin to produce more collagen, and the damage from UV exposure begins to repair itself — all of the things we want to see! My goal is always to get 7-9 hours of sleep a night. This way, my skin feels refreshed, recharged, and ready to be its most beautiful self.

3.) Change Your Pillowcase

So you have that favorite pillowcase, right? Your beautiful satin covering that feels so soft when it touches your skin? Well, that favorite thing may be the exact reason why your skin is misbehaving. While you may have washed your face right before bed, your pillowcase is still a breeding ground for germs and, over time, begins to build up dirt, oil, sweat, and dead skin. And, my sweet friends, this equals pimple-town! It is recommended that you should be changing your pillowcase AT LEAST once a week, and if you have oily or acne prone skin, even more often than that. Doing this will give your skin that extra love and attention and help you to avoid an unexpected zit when you wake up in the morning.

4.) Wash With Lukewarm Water

Let me tell you something, I love me a hot shower, especially when it is so cold outside. However, I know that hot water on my skin is one of the most damaging things I can do for my glow, so I have to physically turn the temperature down, especially when I am washing my face. When that hot water hits your skin, you are essentially stripping it of all of the natural oils it needs to stay nice and supple, causing flare ups of acne, dry spots, and other skin irritations. My biggest tip if giving up a hot shower is just not a reality for you — wait to wash your face in the sink afterward with lukewarm water. That way your face doesn’t have to pay the price and you can enjoy the best of both worlds.

5.) Get Yourself a Treatment 

If you are looking to have youthful, dewy skin for the long run, getting a treatment every 4-6 weeks should be a part of your self-love routine. Your aesthetician will be able to offer you a professional skin analysis, ultimately treating you for your specific skin type and skin concern. Not only that, but they will be able to use professional grade skincare products and treatments on your skin that, while complementary to the products you have at home, pack a much larger punch. If you are looking to love your skin and experience an increase in cell turnover, deeper exfoliation, diminished fine lines and wrinkles, and an overall soft and glowy complexion, you need to come see your aesthie bestie.