Winter is here, and as much as I like the snow and the holiday season, it can take a serious toll on your skin.

This is the time to really take extra special care of your face and the rest of your skin! The cold winter air has a way of sucking the moisture right out of our skin and drying it out and on top of that you go inside to get out of the cold and into indoor heating which is winter’s most vicious-skin drying scoundrel. Which is why your skin looses that “natural glow” and instead appears chapped, dry and feels tight.

Don’t despair, there are a few tips to keeping your skin hydrated (whether your skin type is normal, dry, combination or oily).

- Keep hydrated, by drinking your 8 glasses of water a day.

- Remember that even though it is winter, you still need SPF. The rays are still shining through and the reflection off of beautiful white snow will get you.

- A humidifier can help put moisture in the air (which your skin will suck right up), and it you won’t feel as dry or itchy. You can find inexpensive ones out there.

- Use Lip Balm at all times and make sure to read the ingredients many of them contain a small percentage of alcohol, which only dries out your lips and does not keep them from getting chapped!

- Of course a good moisturizer for your face for day and night. Your day moisturizer can contain sunscreen to take care of both, or apply them separately. Your evening moisturizer should be applied before bed, and while you are sleeping your face will be replenishing itself.

If you are not sure what products are good for you, or what is going to fix your specific needs, then you can contact me for a free consultation where we touch, smell and test all of the products, so that you get exactly what you want and need.

And as always “How old you are is your business, How good you look is Mine.”

Tracie Rosales- Mary Kay - tracie.mkpink@gmail.com

Yes, your age and the years take a toll on your skin. However, sun exposure definitely ages a person. But, have you ever noticed that some people look better for their age than others? That is because they know the secret.

The secret is Prevention. The #1 way to prevent sun damage is to wear a sunscreen. But, when you are thinking sunscreen and your face you need a sunscreen that is formulated for you face. Or a moisturizer with an SPF in it will also do the trick. It will prevent further damage to your skin and “studies show that it can actually reduce the number of actinic keratoses - abnormal skin eruptions, or pre-cancers, that can lead to skin cancer”. (Skin Care Cancer Foundation) Women also have another option, a tinted moisturizer with SPF in it.

I love the sun as much as anyone else, and I am not suggesting that you hide from the sun. It is about protecting yourself from repeated sun exposure which can lead to skin cancer and in the process you are also battling the aging process.

Be sure to make sure that the sunscreen and moisturizer is approved by the Skin Care Cancer Foundation, ask if the product has the seal or check it out on the Foundations website. This way you can be sure that you are getting an effective product.