Hyaluronic Acid      

Beat the winter blahs

Date: 9th December 2008, Source: Hyaluronic News

It's winter in Delaware, which means it's cold and gray and gross. But don't let the weather get you down, spring is only 61 days away. And until then, we'll tell you how to keep your skin in tip-top shape, keep your lips kissably soft, keep the frumpy winter fashion at bay and keep your social calendar full as you count down the days until spring.

WINTER SKIN

Dry skin is the bane of winter existence. It gets dry, flakes, cracks and hurts. Not to mention the lovely pasty color it becomes. Most winter skin problems can be attributed to the cold, dry air esthetician Melissa Yarrusso from Perry Anthony Salon said. But people make it even worse by not drinking enough water.

Once you've upped your water consumption, Melissa said, you have to moisturize, moisturize, moisturize. Moisturizing is the most important of your daily routine in the winter. It's not just for your face, it's for all of your skin. Melissa suggests a normal moisturizer in the morning and a super-hydrating one at night. For a night-time moisturizer look for one with hyaluronic acid in it.

"Hyaluronic acid is an incredible hydrator," Melissa said. "It holds 100 times its weight in water."

Here are some other winter skin tips from Melissa:

DO use a gel or cream-based mask

DON'T stop exfoliating, just cut back a bit, like every other day

DO cut back on the cleansing -- once a day will do

DON'T use anything with alcohol to clean your face

DO apply moisturizer every time you clean your face

DON'T skip sunscreen

DO moisturize every time you wash your hands

DO exfoliate and moisturize your lips. When applying lotion to your face, rub it over your lips. Moderately dry or chapped lips? Exfoliate with a soft dry toothbrush, then apply lip balm that's vitamin E-based -- they work better than a wax-based lip balm.

AVOID THE FRUMP

It's cold outside. Freezing really. But that's no excuse to stay huddled inside in sweats under a blanket on the couch. Just because it's cold outside doesn't mean you have to look like you're hibernating. We got Michael Dodson, co-founder of the Fashion Alliance of Delaware, to give us the rundown on everything you need to stay warm and look good this winter -- from head to toe.

THE BOTTOM

Fashionable winter footwear is problematic. Mike's "instant favorite" winter footwear fashion for ladies involves their summer shoes.

Take those strappy metallic sandals you loved so much last summer and make them work for you in the winter. Get some cool, wooly argyle knee-socks and wear them under your strappy metallic sandals. If it's really cold outside wear a pair of heavy hose under the socks.

This look (which Mike refers to as "pumps and hose") works best when paired with dark denim jeans or an above-the-knee skirt. It also only works when it's dry outside. No one wants soggy socks.

If it's precipitating, women should look for a boot that pairs function and fashion, like a wedge heel boot with a good gripper surface on the bottom.

"You need to have some traction," Mike said. "Forget kitten heels or anything where you're teetering and tottering. I am still loving the zip-on stretchy boots. They're like a leg warmer and keep your calves warm all day."

Mike also said a FAD member who just returned from Paris spotted lots of women wearing the above-the-knee boot, which will keep the whole leg warm.

Guys should avoid the rubber toe shoes at all costs, no matter how snowy or wet it is outside. Mike suggests trying to find some techie shoes that are dressy-looking but also weather repellent.

THE MIDDLE

Layers can be functional and fashionable. They'll keep you warm, but if you layer correctly you'll still look fashion forward. Layering T-shirts with different necklines to create different shapes is a great way to work the layered look. (As Mike said, "peel to reveal.") This way you'll be nice and warm, but if you're out and get hot you can easily remove the layers. Never layer more than three shirts, and make sure only one is an accent color. Two of the three should be monochromatic or neutral, Mike said. "Think subtle, not Flashdance."

Look for the high-tech long underwear (like Under Armour) that works great as a layering piece for men and women, especially if you get it in the black turtleneck version. Turtlenecks are acceptable, even for men (much to my surprise). Men with a strong jawline can pull it off with ease. Those with a weaker jawline must pull the turtleneck up higher to deemphasize a weak jawline.

Make sure you have a good scarf to carry you through the winter, for men and women. Guys can look like a movie star when they pair a scarf and gloves with a sports jacket without an overcoat. (Now obviously that's not good for walking long distances outside, but it's great for dashing from the car to the bar and you will also avoid checking a coat.)

Also, don't be afraid to incorporate color into your winter wardrobe. Just because it's gray outside doesn't mean your outfits have to be.

THE TOP

What you choose to cap your coiffure depends on what type of hair you have. People with straight, sleek hair can safely wear a tight-fitting hat without worrying about spending an entire day with hat hair. (I've found that pulling the front of your hair back before you put a hat on can also help keep hat hair at bay.)

Those of you with curly hair should opt for a warm, fuzzy headband that will keep your ears and forehead warm instead of a hat. A hat will crush your curls and flatten out the top of your hair, there's just no good way around it. And if the headband is nice and tight you'll get an instant brow lift and forehead wrinkle reduction.

The piece of headwear to avoid is the babushka head wrap. Man, woman, child -- everyone should avoid this. Always.