Skin care routines differ for men and women during winter

Ladies, you wouldn't share your African American skin care product with your guy, so why share the same winter skin care routine? Recently, Health News Digest spoke to dermatologist Rebecca Baxt, who explained some of the different issues men and women run into with their skin during this time of the year, and what the best methods for dealing with them are. 

"Men have more testosterone hormone and hair follicles, so they tend not to be as prone to dryness in the winter as women, but men tend not to moisturize as part of their routine, so their skin can still get dry from the winter weather," said Baxt.

She warned that men can get seborrheic dermatitis in the winter. According to the Mayo Clinic, this disorder affects the scalp, making it itchy and causing dandruff. Baxt recommended specialty shampoos and over the counter anti-fungals.

For women, Baxt says that moisturizers are the best defense against the winter cold. She added that if you're short on cash, Vaseline is an inexpensive way to help keep chapped areas hydrated. Finally, Baxt reminded readers that the sun can still be damaging in the winter, so be sure to use a product with added SPF.  

Resolve to have better skin in 2012

 

It's almost 2012, and while you're making your New Year's resolutions, why not add "get healthier skin" to the list? One way to do that is to buy the best African American skin care products on the market, but there are also some lifestyle changes that can be done to improve your complexion.

For example, try drinking coffee, if you don't already. Studies have shown that coffee beans can help you get tighter skin by producing elastin. Next, drink more water. If you stay hydrated on the inside, then you'll have a better chance of having moisturized skin.

Getting more sleep is a good idea to improve your energy levels, work performance and the appearance of your skin. Sleep can eliminate those dark circles under your eyes, especially if you get 8 to 10 hours a night.

Finally, if you haven't bought new cosmetics in a long time, it may be a good idea to start off 2012 with some fresh African American skin care products. Be sure to get ones that go along with whatever your unique needs may be, whether you're trying to eliminate dark spots or get rid of dry skin, you'll find the product that works for you. 

Go retro this New Year

 

In the past few years the retro style has gained a lot of popularity, with women choosing to use their African American skin care product to re-create the look of ladies from the 1940s, 50s and 60s. This could be a fun way to ring in the New Year with an old look, but how do you pull it off?

Recently, Cleveland.com spoke to Casey Weisend and his staff at Scott Talbot Salonspa in Akron and Canton about how to create that fun retro look. First, the makeup experts said that you should be sure to define your eyebrows by filling them in with a pencil. Next, you need dark red lipstick, in the style of the dramatic lip colors they would wear in the 40s.

If dark lipstick isn't your style, then the makeup artists suggest trying a variety of shades of eyeshadow colors. Try applying a light shade all over the lid and up to the brow, a medium shade just on the lid and then a very dark shade of the crease to create a smoky eye.

BecomeGorgeous.com suggests that to further the retro look, add a patch of color to your cheeks, just be sure to get the right blush for your complexion. 

Skin habits to avoid this winter

Lately, there have been a lot of articles out there about how to keep skin protected from the winter winds. Recently, DailyGlow.com commented on some of the things that you should avoid doing to keep yourself from getting dry, cracked skin for Christmas. 

First, try to avoid being around furnaces, fireplaces and woodstoves without a humidifier. While these things will keep you warm, they'll also suck moisture out of your skin.

Next, although a nice, long, bubble bath can be comfortable on a cold day, you might want to avoid them if you're concerned about dry skin.

"Extended exposure to too-hot water can strip skin’s natural oils, leading to - you guessed it - dry skin! So modify your routine by keeping bathing rituals to 15 minutes (max) and keeping water temps moderate," according to Daily Glow.

Oprah Magazine adds that you should avoid exfoliating in the winter, because it will make dry skin problems worse. Instead, use a moisturizing facial cleanser to get rid of dirt, oil and dead skin.