One of the things I am always the most concerned about in the winter is my skin. Though I am lucky to have good skin, that doesn’t mean that I don’t suffer from seasonal changes like many Canadians do. Dry and cracked skin can become a big issue plus conditions like scabies are more common in the winter because the mites prefer the cold weather. Thankfully, I’ve only had to use home treatments for scabies once before but is definitely something you need to be wary of in the winter. As is the dry skin and itchiness that comes with the winter chills and wind.
I recently had the opportunity to visit with Shoppers Drug Mart Beauty Advisor, Ross Flower to talk about my specific skin issues in tandem with some simple food additions I’ve added to my diet thanks to President’s Choice. I am sharing my tips to feeling comfortable in my own skin again with you and have some tips on how you too can do the same in your day-to-day life!
Moving from summer to winter always brings changes in our skin, but how many of us know exactly what our skin needs? Understanding our skin and navigating the aisles upon aisles of products available to us can be overwhelming. When it comes to our winter skincare, we may find that we start incorporating products that we don’t usually use, especially when we’re looking to add more moisture back into our skin. So for example, maybe your summer skincare routine didn’t consist of products like Borage Oil, but you may want to switch things up as you’ve noticed your skin’s a little dry. If this is the case, you may want to check out this article here for more information on this product. This applies to any new skincare product you wish to introduce to your routine. Shoppers Drug Mart has the tools and the beauty expertise to make choosing your winter skincare regimen as easy as possible. For the women if you’re wanting to keep your tan topped up over the winter months, look into bronzer products like Chanel Tan de Soleil bronzer.
What I didn’t realize is that their Beauty Advisors are able to help your skin care transition in to the winter months! With new products popping up all the time, it’s almost impossible to know which one is best for your skin. Beauty Advisors are there to help, and from experience, can make the biggest difference by helping you to truly understand your needs.
From the amazing Moisture Checker which measures skin hydration to ensure adequate water content for supple and comfortable skin, to the Video Microscope which magnifies the skin’s surface 30X to help identify clogged pores, sun damage and whether your skin is dry or oily, they are equipped with the best tools in the business. I found out that my cheeks are much more dehydrated than my forehead. Who knew! Factors that can contribute to skin issues in the winter include indoor heating, hot showers & damp outerwear. Our skin is a looking glass into our health as well, so changes to both your beauty routine and diet can help to make the difference we are all looking for.
I also discovered that apart from internal problems like dehydration, clogged pores, etc., other factors such as exposure to the sun, wrong products used on the skin, could deteriorate the condition of our skin. Many tend to opt for skincare products like which include bio-lifting technology like tightenyl after consulting skincare specialists. But it all depends on how well we treat our body at the end of the day and maintain a healthy diet.
Ross was able to show me in a detailed 11 step process how to battle my personal problems. Though this may seem like a daunting task, there has never been a better time for me to up my skincare game. I am still so impressed by Ross’ knowledge and the experience that you can have when you visit a Shoppers Drug Mart location for a one-on-one consultation with a Beauty Advisor to find something that works for you.
In case you were wondering, here is my personal skincare regiment to tackle winter skin:
- Darphin Refreshing Cleansing Milk
- Darphin Refreshing Toner
- Vichy Canada Double Peel Masque
- Darphin Azahar Cleansing Micellar Water
- Vichy Canada Mineral Masque
- Dr. Roebuck’s Ultimate Hydrating Serum
- Darphin Paris Lumière Essentielle
- Chanel Hydra Beauty Micro Gel Yeux
- Darphin Paris Lumière Essentielle
- Dior Crème de Rose
- Dior Dream Skin Advanced
But when it comes to skin, just as with my health, a lot of changes can be made with some additions to your diet. Just as with these amazing beauty products, there are foods that make your skin glow. Follow these tips from Loblaws Dietitian Samantha Richter to make sure you’re eating right for your skin this season.
Mix it up
Variety truly is the spice of life — and it’s good for you, too! Combine foods from all four food groups to make sure you’re getting the key nutrients associated with better skin health. Each food group contains different benefits and no one food group can supply all the nutrients needed to support good skin health. To make sure you’re mixing and matching appropriately, follow Canada’s Food Guide as you do your regular shop at Loblaws.
Load up on fruits and veggies
When it comes to skin health, fresh produce is essential. Aim to fill half of your plate with veggies at each meal, and try to eat at least one dark green and one orange whole fruit or vegetable every day.
Choosing foods that are rich in antioxidants, Vitamin C, Vitamin A and/or zinc also goes a long way towards preventing and repairing skin damage. Did you know that the antioxidants in brightly coloured fruits and vegetables are thought to help repair skin damage caused by pollutants, while also protecting against the harmful effects of UV? As for the vitamins, Vitamin C is associated with better skin appearance and helps collagen synthesis, Vitamin A promotes the maturation of new skin cells and zinc helps transport vitamin A in the blood and convert it to retinal.
Include healthy fats in your diet
Though dietary fats had a bad name in the ’80 and ’90s, healthy fats are back in style – and they’re good for you. Try these foods when you’re looking for healthy fats; just remember to watch portion sizes:
Nuts/Seeds: Choose ones that are unsalted and don’t have additional oils added in processing (¼ cup portion)
Healthy, unsaturated oils – Health Canada recommends limiting intake to 2-3 Tbsp per day
Fatty Fish: Health Canada recommends including at least 2 servings of fatty fish per week (2 ½ oz)
Foods rich in Vitamin E, including nuts, seeds, avocado (try PC® Frozen Avocado Chunks for a quick and easy option!), vegetable oils, wheat germ and fish
Foods rich in Omega-3s, including fatty fish (salmon, mackerel, anchovies, sardines, herring, Arctic Char, trout), ground flaxseed, walnuts, chia seeds and hemp hearts
Foods rich in Zinc, including fish, seafood, nuts, and seeds
Looking for an easy recipe to test out these simple changes?
- 1 cup (250 mL) PC® Blue Menu Fortified Soy Beverage – Vanilla
- 1 cup (250 mL) PC® Organics™ Canadian Wild Blueberries
- 1/2 cup (125 mL) PC® Blue Menu Ricotta Whey Cheese
- 1 small ripe banana
- In blender, combine berries, soy beverage, ricotta and banana. Blend at high speed for 30 seconds or until very smooth. Serve immediately.
For more information on all the amazing products available at your local Shoppers Drug Mart, make sure to visit www.beautyboutique.ca. To join in on the social media conversation with Canadians from coast-to-coast, make sure to follow @PresChoice on Twitter & Instagram and ‘Like’ their Facebook Page. We can’t wait to hear what your skin tips & tricks are!
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Photos: All social media accounts listed above, President’s Choice & Daniel Reyes
Cheers!
*Please note that this is a sponsored post – our disclosure can be found at all times by clicking here.
* Mobile photos taken with my Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge