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7 Realistic, Can-Do Tips for a Healthier Holiday Season

by Caitlin H,

Dec 4, 2023

A quick Google search will yield all sorts of articles sharing all the ways you can stay healthy and keep your diet going strong during the holidays.

But how realistic are they?

The truth: not very — at least not if you want to enjoy your time with friends and family without severely restricting yourself (and possibly driving yourself mad).

With that in mind, we put together a list of seven realistic, can-do tips to enjoy the holiday season with as much healthfulness as possible — but not too much to make it miserable!

Top 2 Ways To Help Manage Type 2 Diabetes

by Caitlin H,

Nov 27, 2023

If you are living with Type 2 diabetes, there’s a good chance you know how critical a healthy lifestyle is to manage the condition.

We’d like to talk about two highly effective methods of managing your Type 2 diabetes, and to share information on our award winning Balance Diabetes meal plan.

We’re here to help!

New Research Indicates How Cholesterol Types Impact Heart Disease Risk

by Caitlin H,

Nov 20, 2023

Cholesterol is one of the primary factors analyzed when researching heart disease — HDL (healthy) cholesterol to indicate protection, and LDL (lousy) cholesterol to indicate a higher risk. A recent review of previous studies shows that it’s actually more complex than knowing your numbers.

People who may be at risk for heart disease should ask their doctors for a blood test measuring for LDL and HDL cholesterol, non–HDL-cholesterol, and cholesterol particle size. By learning your cholesterol details, you can work with your doctor to create a plan to lower your chances of getting the disease.

But what else can you do to mitigate your risk of getting heart disease?

How “Skinny Dave” Lost 45 lbs with Diet-to-Go

by Caitlin H,

Nov 13, 2023

When 56-year-old healthcare administrator David Rockwell went to see his doctor for an annual checkup in May, he knew walking in that he might not get good news. Sure enough, his bloodwork showed he faced many health issues, including high cholesterol and blood sugar. His doctor immediately talked about prescribing him several medications.

David decided before he settled for a regiment of medications he told his doctor he was going to make a concerted effort to make a major lifestyle change.

Find out how Diet-to-Go helped him to shed those pounds and improve his quality of life.

Treadmill Fails That Are As Hilarious As They Are Alarming

by Caitlin H,

Nov 6, 2023

Ah, the treadmill — this stationary piece of equipment gives fitness enthusiasts the ability to walk or run anytime — rain, snow, or shine.

But let’s face it. The treadmill can be pretty damn boring. Add in that its functionality clearly baffles some people, and you have a recipe for some hilarious blunders.

You know you want to see our top 10 Treadmill Fails…

10 October Fruits & Veggies with Recipes to Match!

by Caitlin H,

Oct 30, 2023

People embrace October for all sorts of reasons — cooler temperatures, the stunning golden, brown, and red fall colors, the comfort of returning to a steady routine after the hustle and bustle of summer, and, of course, the seasonal produce!

Fall is the peak season for a wide range of fruits and vegetables — affording plenty of opportunities to enjoy the crisp deliciousness raw or as the star in healthy, scrumptious recipes for all meals.

We thought we would highlight 10 of our favorite fall fruits and veggies (5 fruits and 5 veggies) and throw in a few recipes for each one! Which one will you try to add to your shopping list this week?

5 Practical Steps to Keep Loneliness at Bay

by Caitlin H,

Oct 23, 2023

If you’ve ever felt lonely, you know how challenging navigating it can be. Many things cause loneliness, including some that you may not even realize are to blame. Reasons could include anything from life events to social media, your personality type to mental health challenges. And it’s important to note that it’s possible to feel lonely not only when you’re along, but when you’re surrounded by family and friends.

Loneliness is a very powerful emotion that can have detrimental effects on your mental and physical health, including your weight loss journey.

So what exactly can you do to combat loneliness?

Size 10 Again: Retired Teacher Drops Over 40 Pounds

by Caitlin H,

Oct 16, 2023

When Lara took her retirement trip to Kauai she loved it, but at 200 pounds she felt uncomfortable and was self-conscious.

“I was mad at myself for being so big during this special thing.”

That was one catalyst that pushed Lara to make a change. She had tried dieting in the past, but ultimately decided to try Diet-to-Go. And when 55-year-old Lara recently fit comfortably into a pair of size 10 pants she’d held onto for years, it was a powerful moment for her.

Examining the Link Between Stress and Weight Gain

by Caitlin H,

Oct 9, 2023

Traffic. Work. Groceries. Bills. Stress is a part of life — and most of us face it daily. Thankfully, we tend to be proficient in managing all those common day-to-day stressors.

But when stress gets overwhelming, it can make maintaining a healthy weight very challenging.

What exactly is the link between stress and weight gain?

Living with Type 2 Diabetes? Foods to Eat and Foods to Avoid

by Caitlin H,

Oct 2, 2023

Healthy eating plays a significant role in whether you may develop type 2 diabetes — and a recently published study confirms that.

According to the study, a considerable rise in people living with type 2 diabetes globally directly results from poor diet. The study demonstrates just how essential it is to improve the quality of your food. If you have prediabetes or type 2 diabetes, changing your diet is critical to improving your health.

So, what should you be eating?

How Do the Most Popular Diets Rank for Heart Health?

by Caitlin H,

Sep 25, 2023

Skim any social media feed related to weight loss, and there’s a good chance you’ll see it chock full of everyone from fitness influencers to celebrities touting a diet that helped them shed pounds in record time. Here’s the thing: Many of those diets — such as very-low-fat and very-low-carb — may indeed help you lose weight, but that doesn’t mean they’re good for you.

What makes a diet heart healthy and where does Diet-to-Go stand in the rankings?

Financial Analyst Loses 30 Pounds in Six Months with Diet-to-Go

by Caitlin H,

Sep 18, 2023

8 Healthy Recipes to Level Up Your Grilling

by Caitlin H,

Sep 11, 2023

Summer may be ending, but that doesn’t mean you have to stop using your grill! Cookouts might always make you think of burgers and brats, potato salad, brownies, and lemonade. As delicious as all those things can be, they’re far from the only barbecue options. In fact, you can add variety to your menu by grilling proteins like steak, chicken, pork, and fish — particularly when they star in some delicious, unique, and healthy recipes that everyone will rave about.

Why don’t you add a new recipe to your cookout grilling menu plan?

U.S. News & World Report Names Diet-to-Go #1 for Best Vegetarian Meal Delivery Service Overall

by Caitlin H,

Aug 21, 2023

Being a vegetarian can definitely mean eating healthier. In fact, studies show that vegetarians tend to eat less saturated fat and cholesterol and enjoy more nutrients, like dietary fiber, potassium, magnesium, folic acid, and vitamins C and E.

But trying to lose weight as a vegetarian can also be challenging, especially if you’re unsure where to begin.

That’s where we come in. Diet-to-Go’s No. 1 rated Vegetarian Meal Plan has been helping people lose weight for over 30 years. Our dietitian-approved menu delivers restaurant-quality flavors and balanced potions of delicious, chef-crafted meals. And the best part? You just heat and eat.

Ready to learn more?

U.S. News & World Report Names Diet-to-Go #1 for Best Weight Loss Prepared Meals

by Caitlin H,

Aug 7, 2023

Diet-to-Go has been crafting balanced, nutritious, tasty meals that help people eat healthy and lose weight since 1991.

Along the way, we’ve adapted our menus to align with sound scientific research and healthy eating trends that purport actual results that ultimately lead to a long-lasting lifestyle change for our tens of thousands of customers across the U.S.

Want to learn more about healthy eating?

A Deep Dive into Intuitive Eating

by Caitlin H,

Jul 24, 2023

Remember when you were a small child, and you ate when you were hungry and stopped when you were full? Even if you faced challenges surrounding eating, such as temptations from sweets or rules about finishing everything on your plate, there truly was a time when your body told you what it wanted to eat and how much — and you listened.

That’s the core message of intuitive eating, a method that dates back to 1995 but has recently gained momentum in mainstream healthy living culture.

U.S. News & World Report Names Diet-to-Go #1 for Best Mediterranean Prepared Meals

by Caitlin H,

Jul 10, 2023

Here at Diet-to-Go, our team of nutritionists and chefs work tirelessly to ensure Mediterranean plan meals adhere to this diet’s cultural and nutritional guidelines. That means delivering high-quality, tasty meals packed with healthy fats, whole grains, and fruits and vegetables.

It’s hard work, but it pays off. Diet-to-Go is thrilled to announce that U.S. News & World Report named us No. 1 for Prepared Meals on its 2023 “Best Mediterranean Diet Meal Delivery Services.”

Alternative Ways to Track Weight Loss

by Caitlin H,

Jun 26, 2023

When you embark on a weight loss journey, you may find yourself focusing solely on one thing: the scale.

It’s easy to get hung up on that number and feel frustrated when it doesn’t budge, no matter how hard you try. While the pounds do play a part, they don’t tell the complete story, not by a long shot.

Let’s explore why scales don’t give the full picture and additional ways to track your progress for a more comprehensive understanding of just how far you’ve come.

Do You Really Need 10,000 Steps a Day?

by Caitlin H,

Jun 19, 2023

When you think about how many steps you need to take in a day to be healthy, what’s the number that immediately comes to mind? There’s a solid chance it’s 10,000.

That’s because 10,000 steps a day has become the fitness industry baseline for living a healthy lifestyle. After all, it’s the default setting for most pedometers and fitness trackers, and a simple internet search will yield thousands of articles on the topic.

But is that number, which generally equates to about 5 miles daily, really based on science?

Do You Struggle With Self-Confidence?

by Caitlin H,

Jun 12, 2023

Confidence is a powerful, sometimes obscure, sense of self-assurance that leads to believing in yourself, your judgments, your abilities, and your identity.

The more confident you are, the more quickly you’ll be able to tackle life’s challenges, achieve your goals and find positivity in your day-to-day life.

Thankfully, there are practical ways to boost your self-esteem and improve your overall confidence, which can go a heck of a long way toward improving your personal and professional life.

Holiday Spiced Pecans (Easy and No Refined Sugar) – The Real Food Dietitians

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If you’re a skin care enthusiast, you’ve probably heard of micellar technology. This type of skin care technology is making waves for its ability to harness the power of micelles (microscopic cleansing agents) to give the skin an effective cleanse, leaving it clean, hydrated and bouncy. 

Let’s dive into everything you need to know about micellar technology and how you can use it for gentle and effective cleansing. 

What Makes Micellar Technology A Skin Saver?

Dermatologists worldwide recommend micellar technology as one of the best ways to cleanse for every skin type. It provides a gentle and thorough cleanse without stripping the skin of its essential moisture. 

Micellar technology was popularized in the early 1900s by the French, who used it to combat the effects of harsh local water on the skin. Micelles, tiny cleansing molecules, are composed of oil-friendly “tails” and water-friendly “heads,” which form small cleansing clusters that attract and dissolve impurities. These surfactants remove water-soluble and fat-soluble impurities (e.g., oil-based makeup) and provide a gentle solution to cleanse, tone and replenish. 

You can think of micelles as microscopic magnets. In cleansers, they attract and lift dirt and oil from the skin’s surface, so it can be wiped (or rinsed) away. The result: Skin that has been gently and thoroughly cleansed and ready to absorb the beneficial ingredients in the skin care steps that follow.

5 Benefits of Micellar Technology

We’ve already touched on a few benefits of micellar technology for mild but effective cleansing. Let’s explore the full list. 

1. Gentle Cleansing

The primary benefit of micellar technology is that it allows for cleansing that’s easy on the skin. You tend to find micelles in gentler, more hydrating cleansers that avoid the use of harsh chemical ingredients. Instead, they rely on the natural composition of micelles to clear away dirt, oil and impurities without stripping the skin of essential moisture.

2. Skin Barrier Support

Your skin’s lipid barrier protects it from the elements, keeping it healthy and hydrated. Micellar technology respects your skin’s barrier. It eliminates external factors that clog pores and dull your complexion and keeps the healthy oils and bacteria your skin needs to stay healthy and intact.

3. Effective Cleansing

Micelles are gentle but mighty. In a typical cleanser, surfactants float freely throughout the formula. In micellar technology, they cluster together into micelles, so the gentle cleansing agents are more highly concentrated when they make contact with your skin. That means more effective cleansing without excessive rubbing or harsh ingredients that strip moisture from the skin. 

4. Enhanced Hydration

Micelles also work to attract water, leaving your skin more hydrated. This enhanced hydration primes the skin, making it more receptive to absorbing the active ingredients in subsequent skin care steps.

5. For All Skin Types

Micellar technology is suitable for all skin types. Micelles are incredibly gentle, making them effective for even sensitive skin. They sweep away dirt and bacteria without stripping the skin, leaving all skin types perfectly cleansed.

How To Add A Micellar Cleanser Into Your Routine

The best way to add micellar technology to your beauty arsenal is to add a micellar cleanser to your skin care routine. We recommend our Kombucha Microbiome Foaming Cleanser. 

Kombucha Microbiome Foaming Cleanser

This unique liquid-to-foam cleanser gently removes impurities without stripping moisture from the skin. Eminence Organic Skin Care’s foam cleansers do not contain any sodium lauryl sulfates (SLS) or harsh detergents — they’ll lather up and rinse clean without leaving your skin feeling tight or irritated.

The Kombucha Microbiome Foaming Cleanser includes micelles, which gently clear oil, dirt and debris from the skin. This foaming cleanser also features kombucha, ginger, white tea, and jasmine which work together to refresh and balance the microbiome on your skin barrier. You can read more about the entire Kombucha Microbiome Collection here.

Here’s how to use the cleanser as the first step of your skin care routine:

Pump a small amount of product to transform the liquid into a lightweight foam.
Apply to the skin and massage gently with your fingertips in a circular motion, covering the face and neck. 
Rinse thoroughly and pat dry. 

The result is clean, refreshed, and healthy-looking skin that’s primed to receive the next steps of your skin care routine. We suggest following up with your favorite Eminence Organics toner or essence to maximize your skin care benefits. 

Final Thoughts On Micellar Cleansers

Micellar cleansers are a gentle, effective and hydrating way to cleanse all skin types. They keep your skin barrier intact, help lock in hydration and allow for greater penetration of the actives that follow in your routine. Your skin will feel clean, refreshed, balanced and healthy.

Curious to learn even more about micellar technology in skin care? Visit an Eminence Organics Spa Partner to discover how you can incorporate it into your skin care routine.

The holidays can feel overwhelming and stressful. The antidote? Add self compassion to your holiday wishlist this year. In this post, we’ll talk about three ways to practice self compassion around the holidays.

The holidays can be a joyful, magical time filled with special traditions and they can be a time of stress and burnout. With all the cultural expectations of holiday cards, gift giving, shopping, traveling, decorating, and parties, it can start to feel overwhelming.

And when you’re overwhelmed and stressed out, your relationship with food can take a toll. Maybe you’re not feeling hungry because your stomach is in knots or maybe you’re eating past comfortable fullness each night because it provides some temporary relief.

One of the most helpful tools we have (IMO) during seasons of life that feel chaotic is the practice of self-compassion. If you’re not familiar with self-compassion, check out Dr. Kristin Neff’s work and book and my blog post How to practice self compassion.

You can practice self compassion at any time of the year (and I highly encourage you make this a lifelong practice!) but here are three specific ways you can practice self-compassion around the holidays:

1. Talk to yourself like you would to a dear friend.

Didn’t have time to wrap all the gifts? Late sending out holiday cards (or maybe you *gasp* don’t send them at all!)? Unable to make every holiday party this year? Maybe you’d typically beat yourself up over it and criticize yourself. Maybe you have a mean girl voice that says “you’re pathetic – how could you not get your act together to make that happen?”

Practicing self-compassion involves treating yourself with kindness. One tangible way to do this is to speak to yourself like you would a best friend. If your best friend came to you and said I feel awful, I didn’t have time this year to send out holiday cards, would you tell her she’s pathetic? Of course not! You’d probably tell her that it’s fine – that it’s a silly expectation and they all end up in the garbage anyway. 

We are our toughest critics. If you catch yourself judging yourself during the holidays for something you didn’t do or something you ate, can you talk to yourself in a kind and loving way, like you would a dear friend?

2. Regularly check-in with yourself. 

Another tenet of self-compassion is mindfulness – paying attention to the present moment, on purpose, without judgment or criticism (paraphrased from Jon Kabat Zinn).

When you allow yourself the time and space to check-in, you may notice different thoughts or feelings you’re having and be able to observe them. Otherwise, you either brush them under the rug (until they overflow) or you over identify with them and get swept away by them.

While there’s nothing wrong with emotionally eating from time to time, if you find that every night during the holiday season you’re turning to food to help soothe, you may benefit from practicing more mindfulness.

Perhaps you allow yourself the gift of a pause and before you grab the box of cookies, ask yourself what is it that I’m feeling right now? Can I sit with this feeling and just be with it for a minute or a few minutes? What is it that I need right now? Maybe the answer is still cookies and that’s okay. But you might notice a different answer like slowing down, space, alone time, a hug, connection, love.

Mindfulness might allow you the space to choose a different coping tool in your toolbox. The more you can check-in with yourself, notice what’s coming up, and tend to your needs, the better off you’ll be to manage the busyness of the holidays.

3. Remind yourself that most people struggle to some extent during the holidays.

When you’re feeling down because your grandmother commented on your weight (again!) or you’re stressed because you ate too much pecan pie or you’re feeling guilty because you’re not taking care of yourself very well, remind yourself that you are not alone.

Say it with me, I. Am. Not. Alone.

The third tenet of self compassion is common humanity, reminding yourself that you are not alone in your struggles. That as humans we are all flawed and imperfect and we all experience suffering. It’s the human experience.

And the human experience around the holidays tends to be stress! 

If you find yourself wondering why you struggle to enjoy this time of year while it seems everyone else is having fun and finding joy, remind yourself that others are struggling to set and uphold boundaries with their families around food and weight talk, others are feeling guilty about their food choices, others are not finding time for self care. Other people are feeling anxious, or sad, or frustrated.

It’s not all joy, all the time, this time of year. It’s normal to experience a wide range of emotions. Remind yourself of that when you start to feel lonely or like you’re the only one having this very human experience.

This time of year is A LOT. Be gentle with yourself. Lots of grace. Lots of self-compassion. Remember, it’s a practice, not a destination. Be careful not to add self-compassion to your list of things you’re “failing at.”

Which area do you want to work more on this month? How do you practice self-compassion this time of year? Tell me in the comments below!

For more holiday and intuitive eating tips, check out my posts below!

3 Ways to Navigate Diet Talk Around the Holidays

5 Tips for Staying Well Nourished This Holiday Season

3 Tips for Setting Health Goals for the New Year that Are Actually Sustainable

6 Ways to Find More Enjoyment in Eating

3 Ways to Navigate When Clothes Don’t Fit You (without another diet!)

Gluten-Free Peanut Butter Blossoms (Egg Free Option) – The Real Food Dietitians

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A cup of tea is a perfect pick-me-up in the afternoon but did you know it’s also a great pick-me-up for your skin? From fighting free radicals to reducing the appearance of fine lines and dissolving dead skin cells, tea has become a popular skin care ingredient. Read on to find out whether this ancient elixir is your skin’s cup of tea. 

A Brief History Of Tea 

The story of tea begins in China in 2737 BCE. According to legend, Chinese emperor and renowned herbalist, Shen Nung, was sitting beneath a tree when some leaves from the tree blew into water that was being boiled for drinking. He decided to try the infusion that had accidentally been created. The tree was a Camellia sinensis, and the resulting drink was what we now call tea.

All traditional teas are still made from the leaves and buds of different varieties of the Camellia sinensis plant — originally from the borderlands of northern Burma and southwestern China. The difference between teas lies in how they are processed — whether they are fermented or not, for instance — and this determines their oxidation levels. Green teas are not oxidized at all, while black teas are very oxidized. In terms of beauty benefits, green tea and matcha are very poplular, but black tea, white tea and kombucha are also potent allies for your skin.

What Are The Benefits Of Tea For Skin?

Tea has bioactives that have been scientifically proven to hydrate skin and protect it from aging and environmental harm. Antioxidant tea polysaccharides fight free radicals and absorb and retain moisture. Tea polyphenols protect skin by absorbing ultraviolet radiation and diverting it from doing epidermal damage. Polyphenols dive deep into the skin, putting up roadblocks around destructive enzymes that work against the skin’s “body-building” collagen and elastin. They protect your skin’s hydration by boosting hyaluronic acid and their anti-inflammatory activities improve microcirculation. So we’ve established that tea is your skin’s best friend, now we’ll spill the tea on which blends will help you!

Green Tea

A perfect accompaniment to sushi, green tea is grown mostly in Japan. Green tea leaves are harvested, withered and steamed so that they stay green and unoxidized. There is an abundance of good things for the skin in this type of tea, especially EGCG, a polyphonic compound that is a powerhouse for the skin. It is known to have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties. It protects against the redness that UVB rays produce and is being studied for its role in healing wounds and lessening scarring. EGCG also has a remarkable ability to get inside the skin and stay there, mostly in the stratum corneum, where it actively moisturizes and smooths skin roughness and wrinkles.

Matcha Tea

Another Japanese export, matcha tea is green in color, but grown differently from regular green tea. About a month before harvesting, it is covered from direct sunlight to increase chlorophyll and amino acid levels. Intensely nourishing matcha tea powder is regenerative for tired, damaged skin that is low on oxygen. It also fights inflammation and protects skin from harmful free radicals.

White Tea

Young tea buds and leaves are harvested only once a year in early spring to make white teas like Bai Mu Dan (White Peony) and Yin Zhen Bai Hao (Silver Needle). The leaves and buds are minimally processed — not oxidized or rolled — which means that nothing has been bruised or twisted to damage cell walls and release the plant’s juices. As well as having strong anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties, white tea extracts in skin care products are believed to boost hyaluronic acid action for a plumper, more hydrated-looking complexion.

Black Tea

Black tea, like pu’er from China’s Yunnan province, is the most oxidized of the teas because it is produced from leaves that are harvested, dried, rolled, ground and fermented. Black tea extracts are new to the skin care game and their tannins appear to protect skin from environmental damage as well as perform anti-bacterial, nourishing and hydrating functions. Other teas do that as well but black tea has one feature the others don’t: caffeine. Caffeine in skin creams stimulates microcirculation and helps reduce the look of puffiness under the eyes.

Kombucha

A by-product of black tea, kombucha is produced by fermenting black tea with sugar, yeast and bacteria. As a beverage, probiotic kombucha builds an ideal bacterial environment in the gut that aids digestion. And it can do something similar for your skin. According to dermatologist Dendy Engelman, MD, FACMS, FAAD, kombucha “… is excellent for balancing the skin’s microbiome by promoting a healthy ratio of good bacteria.” This is great if you are prone to acne or rosacea. Kombucha is also a natural exfoliant and antioxidant.

Darjeeling Tea 

Often referred to as the “Champagne of teas,” true Darjeeling is grown exclusively in select tea plantations at the foothills of the Himalayas spread across the Darjeeling district of West Bengal, India. It is said that this tea grows at the highest elevation of all teas and that it is the altitude that creates an ideal environment for the tea plant, giving these teas a unique flavor and aroma. The natural antioxidant properties found in Darjeeling tea can promote healthy skin, while the polyphenols are known to combat inflammation.

Pineapple Tea

One more tea that is making its name in the beauty world is pineapple tea! It is made by boiling pineapple rinds, which extracts an enzyme called bromelain that is very helpful for digestion, but also has exfoliating properties for the skin — which makes pineapple tea a rising beauty star on TikTok. Bromelain dissolves the proteins that bind together dead skin cells with minimal irritation for clear, radiant skin. If you’re looking for the benefits of bromelain, our Pineapple Refining Tonique is where you’ll find them.

Tea For Different Skin Types

Dry skin

Tea-infused products in your daily beauty routine can really up your skin’s game, and there seems to be a type of tea for every type of problem. Those with dry skin that is sensitive to pollution, cigarette smoke and the sun’s UVA and UVB rays should look to beauty products with extracts of hydrating green tea, white tea and oxygen-revitalizing matcha tea.

Oily Skin

Oily skin that is prone to acne will respond well to products with anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory extracts of matcha, kombucha or white tea that detox the skin. Or try green tea, which is known to reduce the production of sebum.

Mature Skin 

Mature skin can benefit most from how black tea can plump the look of skin and green tea retains moisture. White tea will also gently plump and reduce the appearance of fine lines. Any of these varieties will suit your skin to a “tea.”

Perfect Pomegranate Margarita (With Mocktail Option)

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How Does Winter Impact The Skin? | Winter Skin Care Routine Basics | Dry Skin | Oily Skin | Normal Skin | Sensitive Skin | Combination Skin

Winter is the season to change up your skin care routine. When Frank Sinatra on the radio starts crooning that “the weather outside is frightful,” it’ll be around that time of year when freezing temperatures and extreme heating start to wreak havoc on your skin. To prepare your skin for winter, here are the best winter skin care routines you can use depending on your skin type. 

Winter Skin Care: How Does Winter Impact The Skin?

Thanks to the weather’s increased dryness in winter, hydration in the skin drops and transepidermal water loss (TEWL) increases. TEWL refers to the process of water passing from the dermis through the epidermis and evaporating through the skin barrier. Without the added moisture of sweat and humidity, colder weather can easily strip the skin of natural oils, causing dry and irritated skin and even a compromised skin barrier. Thankfully, you can avoid this with certain products to keep the moisture in. Before we dive into specific product recommendations for each skin type, here are the foundational steps that each skin care routine follows:

The Winter Skin Care Routine Basics

For all skin types, a good winter skin care routine is made up of a few key steps:

Cleanse 

Cleanse with a gentle cleanser to remove any dirt, makeup or buildup that can lead to breakouts or congested skin.

Tone

Tone with either a toner, mist or essence to complete the cleansing step, add an extra layer of hydration and treat any other concerns you might have. 

Exfoliate

Exfoliate with a chemical exfoliant to smooth off any dead or flaking skin exacerbated by winter. This step is especially useful during the cooler months when the skin can be at its driest.

Mask

Your skin requires extra hydration during the colder months. To replenish your skin, you should ideally mask once or twice a week. 

Boost

Boost your skin with a product that offers targeted treatments, such as a serum or facial oil. 

Moisturize

Moisturize morning and night to keep your skin balanced during winter. Ensure you’ve applied moisturizer on your face and body, particularly after a shower when hot water dries out the skin.

Eye Care

Use a rich eye cream to hydrate the thinner, more delicate skin around the eye area. 

Supporting your skin with the right products is a great way to navigate any winter dullness. Although replenishing lost hydration is vital for all skin types in winter, you don’t want a one-size-fits-all approach to your skin care routine. Each skin type has its own unique symptoms and challenges. Read on to discover the best winter routines and tips for each skin type. 

A Winter Skin Care Routine for Dry Skin

Winter can be a tricky time for dry skin types who may notice that their skin feels tighter and more stripped of moisture than normal. The skin may become more flaky, itchy and rough on your face and body. The ultimate goal in winter for drier skin types is to increase moisture and keep the skin’s moisture barrier intact. To achieve this, our Product Support Representatives recommend this winter routine for dry skin:

Cleanse with the Firm Skin Acai Cleanser
Tone with the Birch Water Purifying Essence
Exfoliate with the Firm Skin Acai Exfoliating Peel
Mask with the Yellow Sweet Clover Anti-Redness Masque
Restore with the Rosehip Triple C+E Firming Oil
Moisturize with the Coconut Age Corrective Moisturizer
Care for the eye area with Snow Mushroom Moisture Cloud Eye Cream

Our Best Tips For Caring For Dry Skin in Winter

Invest in a humidifier to add moisture back into the air.
While we understand the appeal of extremely hot showers, you’re better off sticking to warm to lukewarm showers. Hot showers draw even more moisture from the skin and strip away the little oil your skin had in the first place. 
Keep exfoliation to one or two times a week to avoid over-exfoliating.

A Winter Skin Care Routine For Oily Skin

If you have oily skin, you’re no stranger to excess shine, visible pores and breakouts. Your skin produces more oil and is greasy to the touch. Your makeup may also absorb very quickly into the skin, but what remains also slides off quickly. Our Product Support Representatives recommend the following skin care routine to prevent breakouts and minimize greasiness:

Cleanse with the Stone Crop Gel Wash
Tone with the Stone Crop Hydrating Mist
Exfoliate with the Clear Skin Willow Bark Exfoliating Peel
Replenish with the Stone Crop Masque
Boost with the Cornflower Recovery Serum
Moisturize with the Echinacea Recovery Cream  

Our Best Tips for Caring for Oily Skin In Winter

Don’t avoid face oils or moisturizers throughout the winter. Even oily skin benefits from some extra hydration during the driest part of the year. As licensed medical esthetician Kim Hart tells What’s Up Mag, adding oil to your skin will keep the skin soft and supple so that the skin looks and feels less greasy. 
Year-round, cleansing is a necessary step for removing any dirt or buildup that can lead to breakouts or congested skin. 
Even oily skin may experience dryness and flakiness during the colder months, which may be helped by using a replenishing mask (such as the Clear Skin Probiotic Masque listed above). 

A Winter Skin Routine for Normal Skin

You may not notice the effects of colder air in the same way other skin types do. But, you still want to increase moisture to avoid developing dry skin symptoms like flaky or itchy skin. Follow this skin care routine to maintain your healthy skin: 

Our Best Tips For Caring For Normal Skin in Winter

A Winter Skin Routine For Sensitive Skin

Sensitive skin is very susceptible to winter’s wrath. Those who sit on the sensitive side will likely notice dry, itchy or irritated skin due to a decrease in skin moisture. Combat your winter woes with this sensitive skin care routine: 

Our Best Tips For Caring for Sensitive Skin in Winter

Like our dry skin friends, be mindful of long, hot showers which can dry out your skin and lead to irritation and itchiness. 
If there is any time to start looking a little closer at the ingredients of your skin care, it is now. Steer clear of products that include drying ingredients like alcohol or soap. 
Patch test all new products. It’s always worth double-checking new products with your dermatologist and patch test before using one on your face. 

A Winter Skin Routine For Combination Skin

With less humidity in the air, winter can be a tricky time for combination skin. Those with combination skin have the difficult task of managing both excess oil and dry areas. Try out this skin care routine for combination skin:

Our Best Tips For Caring For Combination Skin in Winter

If you have dry skin patches, avoid using loofahs, and allow your exfoliating products to do the work. Loofahs may be too harsh on your skin during winter if your skin is already very dry and your skin barrier is potentially compromised.
Like our oily skin types, don’t skip on using serums and oils because you’re worried about putting creams or oils on the oilier sections of your skin. These moisturizing products help you maintain balanced moisture levels for more supple-looking skin.
Some companies offer foaming cleansers that are marketed towards combination and oily skin, but often they contain sulfates such as sodium lauryl sulfate, which irritates all skin types. Check your ingredient list. 

If you’d like to learn about your unique winter skin care needs, book a consultation with a licensed esthetician at an Eminence Organics Spa Partner near you.