Winters are known for being harsh in Canada, and our heavy snowfall, sub-zero temperatures and freezing winds are some of the country’s most known environmental features.

Toronto is no exception either; winter can bring difficult conditions to driving, public transit and sidewalks, and it’s also harsh on our skin.

The cold, dry air mixed with harsh winds can both work to create a tough time for your skin, and many people note that issues such as dry skin, raw skin, and itchy irritations. Many people who suffer from eczema also report that winter is their worst time of dealing with it. The problem is, keeping our skin in this state of damage for the many months that winter lasts can lead to premature signs of aging. This is likely why places like a Toronto plastic surgery clinic and dermatologists often see their patient list grow by late spring and early summer.

Here are some ways you can keep your skin protected and healthy during the harsh Canadian winter.

Change Up the Skincare

During winter, you might notice that your usual routine for skincare becomes less effective than it usually is. This is because the climate around you has heavily changed, and the environmental factors that affect your skin are now different.

A light moisturizer might be good for the humid weather of summer, but during winter, a heavier duty one may be needed instead to retain hydration in the skin effectively. If too much for day use, using a heavier moisturizer at night is at least recommended to keep your skin hydrated in your sleep.

It may also be beneficial to switch any lotions and soaps over to unscented sensitive skin variants, as skincare involving alcohols and fragrances can dry out the surface of your skin even further.

Lower the Water Temperature

When our bodies are chilled from the cold weather, it can be appealing to hop in the shower and crank the temperature and let the steamy water warm us up. However, this can be detrimental to your skin. Water at too-hot temperatures strips essential oils from your skin and damages the cells on the surface. This is why you may find your skin is red and raw after a hot shower and why it may feel so dehydrated when you begin to dry off.

When drying off, it’s advised to dab yourself damp dry with a towel rather than aggressively rub and lotion your skin and body as soon as possible to lock in moisture into your skin.

Humidify the House

While the cold winds outside do a number on your skin, relief is often not found within the warmth of our homes either.

The heating in our homes uses dry blowing air, which can further dehydrate the moisture in the air.

If you spend long periods inside your house during winter, you may find your skin is dryer, itchier, and lips more frequently chap inside your house during winter.

By placing a humidifier in the rooms you spend the most time in during the day, whether it be the living room, home office, or at the very least the bedroom, you will help add moisture back to the room, which will help to keep the air from pulling moisture from your skin.

There are other benefits to humidifiers too. Many people who snore say their condition improves when a humidifier is present in the room, or at the very least, the dry throat and mouth associated with open mouth breathing at night is less intense.

BY: KIZZY COURTNEY

Have you left your Christmas shopping for the last minute? If you’re anything like me, then despite all the planning and preparation you do during December you still find yourself needing to pick up some last-minute presents before Christmas. Luckily, if the person on your list is especially into all things beauty and makeup related, there are plenty of easy, inexpensive gifts you can pick up that they’re sure to love. Choosing the right gift doesn’t mean you should spend hundreds of dollars. It’s the thought that is put into your gift that truly makes the difference. Here are a few examples of last minute gift ideas that anyone will be sure to enjoy.

Beauty Gift Sets: Christmas is fast approaching which means there are beauty gift sets galore from amazing brands including Nuxe, Avene, Clinique, Estee Lauder, Nars, MAC, etc. etc. etc. There are way too many to name them all but it sure is fun admiring them.

Bath Bombs: Of course, LUSH makes the best ones, but sometimes you don’t have time to make it to the mall. Amazon has an array of bath bombs to choose from that I hear are very good, and many come in pretty gift boxes. If you’re a Prime member and have one-day shipping, then there’s no need to worry about your gifts not arriving before the Big Day.

Makeup Brushes: Everyone needs makeup brushes but rarely thinks about buying them for themselves. A set of brushes to do a complete look will be much appreciated by any makeup lover. Luckily, we have some brands that offer inexpensive brush sets to choose from. BH Cosmetics and E.L.F are a few brands that offer great brushes at great prices.

Spin Brush: Skincare is very important, so gifting someone with a spin brush such as a Clarisonic Mia Fit or a Spin For Perfect Skin brush from Vanity Planet is always a good idea. These brushes are ergonomically designed to fit comfortably in your hands and take up little space. Adding a spin brush to their regular skincare routine will boost the cleansing power and allow the products to work deeper. These brushes are also a perfect gift for the traveler in your life.

Gift Cards: This isn’t always seen as an easy way out. Gift cards for services you wouldn’t splurge on yourself, like a manicure or facials, are always welcome. For the makeup obsessed, MAC and Sephora gift cards are always a good choice. Knowing the gift receiver’s current needs will help decided the perfect gift card to give them. Did your friend just move to a new place for instance? Then a gift card to Homesense or Pier One will be the perfect gift to give.

Fragrance Sampler: Let’s face it perfumes are expensive. If you have a perfume lover in your life then a fragrance sample set is the best gift to give them. Shopper’s Drug Mart carries a fragrance sampler set that contains a gift certificate that your fragrance lover can redeem for a full-size bottle of their favourite sampler scent. Usually, these sampler sets come with 8-10 perfumes samples to choose from which I’m sure they’ll love.

I know it can be difficult trying to find the perfect gift for someone, so these are great ideas if you’re stuck on what to buy a friend or family member who enjoys trying out new beauty products. And if you’re buying for someone who really has got everything, why not book them a luxurious spa break? This is a Christmas gift idea I’d love to wake up to on Christmas morning! Hope these holiday gift ideas help take some of the stress out of shopping this year!

BY: KIZZY COURTNEY

With winter’s cold temperatures bearing down on us, it’s time to start thinking about our skin and re-evaluating our skincare regimens. In winter, it is essential to provide your skin with moisture and revamping your beauty routine with items that can tackle the issues that come with cooler, drier weather is important. Repeated exposures can result in more than just not looking your best, and without proper care, your skin can crack and flake. The winter is hard on your skin, cold weather, dry wind and bright sunlight all add up to one tough season. Your normal skincare regimen is not quite enough. Keep your skin and lips feeling and looking great by following these simple suggestions.

During winter, dead skin cells build up quickly on our skin, and the only way to get rid of them is to exfoliate. Exfoliating is extra important during winter, particularly at night. Double cleansing your face is beneficial, as the first cleanse removes any surface oil, makeup or SPF protection while the second cleanse your actual skin. Once you have exfoliated, your skin will glow, as you have buffed and removed the pileup of dead skin cells that have caused your skin to look patchy, and flaky, therefore replenishing the skin. Consistent cleansing twice daily assures richer, deeper nourishment for your skin.

Not only does your skin need some extra loving, your lips benefit from some TLC in the cold season as well. Your lips can easily become chapped due to the change of temperature, to revitalize them make sure to use a scrub to hydrate and exfoliate, leaving you with smooth lips. Cover your lips with a balm before you apply your lipstick, will not only help your lipstick apply better, it’ll nourish and protect your lips, too. Make sure to keep them moist however you can with balm, and consider gently exfoliating your lips daily for extra protection. A simple DIY lip scrub you can make yourself at home is by mixing coconut oil and brown sugar together. The sugar will remove any dead skin while the oil moisturizes your lips. Exfoliating at night, before bed is ideal.

Switching to an oil-based moisturizer (rather than water-based) in the colder months provides a layer of protection; plus, it will be better at retaining moisture. Upgrade to a thicker, if not oil-based daily moisturizer to help nourish, hydrate and protect the skin from harsh conditions outdoors. Thicker moisturizers in the winter months are not only regulated to the face, for many, many people, the winter months mean cracked heels. Don’t wait until they become painful and unsightly to care for them. Be sure to use lotions that contain petroleum jelly or glycerin, and exfoliate them every so often to get rid of dead skin.

Sunscreen is especially important during the long, hot summer days, but don’t let winter’s weaker rays fool you. It is still important to protect yourself from the sun’s damaging UVA/UVB rays.

Hydration is essential daily, which is why it’s important to remember to stay hydrated as much as possible, especially from the inside out. Drinking more water helps with clearer skin as well as helps your body function properly. Water helps your immune and digestive systems eliminate toxins and keep your skin nicely clear and hydrated. Hydration is just as important when the weather isn’t hot out.

The change of weather really does impact your skin, and the only way to give your skin some love is if you choose to use the right products in correlation to the season. Cold weather may make your cheeks rosy, but the aftereffects of freezing temperatures, wind, and heaters can zap even the healthiest skin of vital moisturizers. During the winter, it’s important to emphasize hydration, nourishment, and moisturizing even more so than usual. Protect your skin from dryness and any other conditions working against its ideal balance.