my top tips for getting my skin ready for winter

We’ve finally moved on to fall. And while Michigan really outdid herself this September with the gorgeous summer weather, the cooler temps are finally here. So instead of my sunscreen repertoire, I’m moving on to more of a moisturizing/wrinkle fighting system. Here are a few of my favorite tips for keeping my skin hydrated in the super dry and cold months ahead.

1. Drink Water. What hydrates your body hydrates your skin, too! I’m one who tends to reach for coffee or other hot beverages in the winter. But caffeine only dries my skin more, so I really need to stick to water as much as I can in the winter. I’ll still have my go-to afternoon cup of coffee, but I try my best to stick to water as much as possible.

2. Eat for your skin. It sounds weird and it wasn’t until pretty recently that I realized that certain foods nourish my skin more than others. Foods that are naturally high in healthy fats like avocados, fish and coconut or olive oils are amazingly hydrating for skin, too. Throw some guacamole on your tacos or add some coconut oil to your morning coffee and your skin will thank you!

3.  Treat it topically.  Yes, keeping your body helps your skin stay healthy, but having a great skincare routine is a must.  And I don’t trust my skin to just any moisturizers out there.  Did you know that many top brands of skincare products use ingredients that actually dry out your skin even more?  Then you are left with drier skin that makes you want more lotion–it’s an endless cycle!  I’ve started using Skincare by Alana for my skincare routine because I know that these products are made with natural, organic ingredients.  Alana Mitchell started this skincare line to fill the gap left by so many other lines that are results-based but with questionable ingredients.  She started a scientific, results-based line with all high-quality, safe ingredients.  So I feel safe using these products on my skin AND I know they work.  Plus Alana (shown below) is a working mom with two sons and skin that looks amazing!

I’m going to share a few of my favorite Skincare by Alana products–all from the Alana Mitchell Skincare line.  The Alana Mitchell Vitamin C Daily Moisturizing Lotion is my go-to lotion for morning and night.  Since it has 20% Vitamin C and 15% hyaluronic acid, it’s powerful enough for night but is still light enough to wear all day without being oily at all.  The anti-aging peptide eye cream is the same–great for night and day.  I’ve noticed some eye creams coat my eyelashes so much it’s almost impossible to apply mascara, but this one works great!  Now that I’m pushing 40, I’ve realized that my fine lines aren’t so fine anymore–they are full on wrinkles!  So I’m doing what I can to keep them at bay for a bit longer!  My daytime trick is to apply Alana Mitchell Hyaluronic Moisture Boost Serum before my moisturizer so my skin can retain even more moisture.  I use it at night, too, but a few times a week I use something even stronger–the Age Erasing Retinol Serum— to help combat my dark spots, large pores and fine lines.  The retinol serum is currently being reformulated to be even better!

If you’ve found your skin extra dry, wrinkly or rough in the winter (or anytime!), I highly encourage you to check the label of your products and compare them with the ingredients in Alana Mitchell Skincare.  Replacing your drug-store brand with a reputable, natural brand might be all you need to be on your way to healthier skin!  Not sure what you need?  Skincare by Alana lets you call or chat with medical estheticians to help find the right products for your skin!  Check out her products and tell me what your skin would love most!