Winter Skin Care Tips from Esthetician Joyce Carboni

Meet Esthetician Joyce Carboni

A licensed esthetician for over 25 years, Joyce Carboni knows how to care for skin. Founder and owner of the highly regarded Skinsational Spa in North San Diego, Joyce stresses both professional and home care to keep skin at its best. Before her venture with Skinsational, Joyce apprenticed under Robert Diemer, an innovator and expert in the skin care field as well as founder of the American Institute of Esthetics in Huntington Beach, California. She taught student estheticians a variety of skin care, cosmetic, and waxing techniques at the Institute, and continues to instruct her staff with the same level of dedication and attention.

With her creative and diligent direction, Joyce has established a full-service day spa that specialize sin Asian and Balinese spa therapies. Since 1997, Skinsational Spa has offered the highest level of customer satisfaction and skin care standards for its clientele. Each guest at her spa is treated in respect to his or her individual skin care concerns with the ultimate goal of finding the treatments that are right for their skin.

Joyce's Winter Skin Care Tips

During the winter months, people suffer from a variety of skin problems, including not only dry skin, but also itchiness, flakiness, dullness, chapping, and more. People don't always realize how necessary it is to take the proper steps to carte for their skin; the uncomfortable and unsightly effects of neglect on winter skin care can be treated and prevented to keep you looking your best. Joyce offers the following insider tips to LoveToKnow Skin care readers.

Changing Your Regime

• With a shift towards colder climates during the winter months, your skin care regime should change as well. During the winter months, one of the most important parts of your daily routine should be moisturizing. Emolliency, which helps stop skin from losing moisture, is vital during the months.

• To retain moisture and create a protective barrier against the chilly winter weather, switch to from water based to cream based products. Look for ingredients such as safflower oil, which can restore the natural oil balance in skin.

Exfoliation Essentials

• Exfoliation is essential. Exfoliating allows your skin to shed dead skin cells, which stick to the surface of your skin. By getting rid of this layer, it allows for moisture to be absorbed into your skin. Try to exfoliate once or twice a week.

• After showering, pat your skin (instead of rubbing) to dry, in order to retain the most amount of moisture.

Washing vs. Overwashing

• Avoid over-washing your skin. Why? The natural oils in your skin are stripped away with soap and excessive exposure to hot water.

Magnificient Masks

• Keep that glow by using a hydrating mask! Create one at home by mixing yogurt, honey and avocado. Apply for 15 minutes and rinse off with warm water.

• Or try Skinsational's Clarifying Sea Clay Mask! The superb nondrying clay and seaweed mask aims to detoxify and remove any impurities from skin, leaving it glowing and radiant. While supplementing skin with beta carotene, vitamins and essential minerals, essential oil of lavender purifies and provides a refreshing, uplifting effect. Recommended for normal to oily skin types.

More on Masking

LTK: You mention the benefits of hydrating masks and give a great recommendation for those with normal to oily skin types. For those that are already prone to dry skin, what types of masks are best for use during the colder months?

JC: For dry skin, look for creamy, emollient-based masks with ingredients such as Vitamin E or avocado oil.

Or make a quick and simple mask at home with peaches and olive oil:

• Mash up one fresh peach and puree with 1-2 tsp. olive oil until you have a spreadable consistency.
• Apply the paste to your skin and leave it on for 5-10 minutes.
• Afterwards, rinse with a washcloth drenched in cool water.

Winter Acne Care

LTK (LoveToKnow): Many people continue to suffer from acne even in the winter months. Since skin is prone to drying in the winter, what types of products should acne sufferers use in the winter to combat acne and keep their skin moisturized? What other winter skin care tips will help acne sufferers?

JC: During the winter months, many suffer from dry and acne-prone skin. But the problem is that many acne medications or products can further dry out the skin, leaving it chapped and sensitive. What to do? Switch your beauty routine to include a soap-free, gentle cleanser targeted for sensitive skin. You should also start using an oil-free moisturizer to keep skin hydrated without aggravating or clogging your pores.

Additionally, remember to exfoliate twice a week. This will help remove dead skin cells, keep pores clear and allow skin to absorb more moisture. Contrary to popular belief, excess oil production isn't the only cause of acne; dead skin cells, flakes, etc. can also clog pores.

Repairing Roughened Winter Skin

LTK: For those that have already been exposed to the harsh and drying effects of inclement weather, what is the best winter skin care tip for treating and repairing overdried, chapped facial skin?

JC: Rough, chapped skin is caused by a lack of hydration. To help repair skin, avoid over-washing in the shower, since soap and hot water can strip skin of its natural oils. Again, exfoliation is key since it gets rid of dead skin cells and will help moisturizers to be absorbed better.

After showering, make sure to apply a layer of moisturizer right away to lock in moisture.

Blotchy and Uneven Skin

LTK: For some people with uneven skin tones, winter may to worsen uneven or blotchy patches. Are there any products (other than heavy makeup) that can help minimize the appearance of blotchy, uneven patches?

JC: "Skinsational's SensiCalm Tea Gel Mask" ($36) is a must-have for those with sensitive, blotchy or uneven skin! The oil-free cooling blue gel mask is packed with ingredients that calm skin and reduce redness and inflammation. Green tea extract provides an antioxidant boost while chamomile, calendula and azulene help skin recover and rebalance.

Until your skin evens up, try applying a color correcting makeup primer, such as Smashbox's Photo Finish Color Correcting Foundation Primer ($38), before applying your makeup.

For More About Joyce and Skinsational Spa

• For more about Joyce, Skinsational Spa, the Skinsational Product lines, or to order Skinsational Products, visit the website at www.skinsationalspa.com

• Skinsational Products can also be ordered via phone by calling 760-434-8118.