Winter Skin Saviors: Heading into winter here are 2 Amazing skincare ingredients to keep your face in tact.

Winter wreaks havoc on our skin and signals the need to update our skin care products to keep our skin hydrated and healthy. 

Here are our two favorite ingredients for the cold dry months ahead.

 

Hyaluronic Acid
hy·​al·​uron·​ic acid |  \ˌhī(-ə)l-yu̇-ˈrä-nik
Some people apply hyaluronic acid to the skin for healing wounds, burns, skin ulcers, and as a moisturizer.  There is also a lot of interest in using hyaluronic acid to prevent the effects of aging. In fact, hyaluronic acid has been promoted as a "fountain of youth."

Hyaluronic “Acid”sounds like the opposite of something you’d apply to a dry, parched face. “It’s produced by fibroblasts, the same cells that make collagen, in the dermis, the second layer of skin,” says Neal Schultz, M.D., NYC dermatologist and founder of BeautyRx by Dr. Schultz. “It is the key molecule involved in skin moisture because it absorbs up to 1,000 times its weight in water.” Think of hyaluronic acid as a sponge in your skin that holds on to moisture and keeps your face looking plump and dewy.

When you apply a lotion or serum with Hyaluronic Acid, it acts as a humectant. “Humectants basically pull water from the environment into your skin and are very hydrating,” says Joanna Vargas, founder of Joanna Vargas Skincare Collection. Basically, it helps to soften fine lines, making skin look younger, and smoothing out rough dry patches.  Some plastic surgeons use hyaluronic acid in the fillers used to replace volume and lift in the face.

Here are some of our favorites:

Skin Ceuticals H.A. Intensifier- A multi functional serum by one of the most well respected brands in skin care

Drunk Elephant B-Hydra Intensive Hydration Gel- Uniquely formulated with provitamin B and pineapple ceramide, B-Hydra™ attracts and holds moisture to the skin, helping improve barrier function for skin that looks healthy and illuminated.

 

 

CBD 

CBD is just one of over 80 compounds called ‘cannabinoids’ extracted from the cannabis sativa plant.  The two most popular are THC (gets you high) and CBD (does not get you high). It’s becoming popular in skin care because of its anti-inflammatory properties.  Inflammation is the root of signs of aging and acne.  

According to Jeanette Jacknin, a board-certified dermatologist specializing in topical cannabinoids in skin care,studies have shown that “affecting the endocannabinoid system — like with CBD — can help the skin look more radiant and youthful,” 

“CBD has anti-inflammatory actions,” he says, which can be helpful for conditions such as acne, psoriasis, and eczema. 

CBD in consumer skin care is still a bit like the Wild West. A study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association found widespread mislabeling of CBD products sold online. 

Cindy Capobianco, co-founder of Lord Jones, a brand that makes CBD-laced edibles and body lotion. “Before 1937, when it was prohibited, there was a cannabis elixir on every shelf. It reduces inflammation and pain in a way I’ve never seen anything work.”

You already know that inflammation is the root cause of oh-so-many skin woes.  Because of cannabinoids’ anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, using it can reduce puffiness, swelling, and even soreness, says Jessica Assaf, The Cannabis Feminist. “It’s this all-in-one solution because of its ability to target those problems simultaneously,” she says.

Here are two of our favorites:

Vertly’s signature CBD relief lotion also boasts Shea butter

Offers the benefits of rich organic plant oils, nourishing Shea butter, healing magnesium and botanical herbs like Arnica Flower, all packaged within the calming scent of citrus and lavender. The result?  Skin that is soothed, hydrated and refreshed. A body that feels good from the inside out.  

Khus + Khus Sen Face Serum $80

This unique formula combines the remarkable endocannabinoid healing power of Eco-Certified hemp extract with highly regarded Ayurvedic and Western botanicals and resins for a complete skin healing modality. One of the most important aspects of healthy skin is the maintenance of the endocannabinoid system which maintains the basal cell life cycle, containing 90% of the cells in the epidermis. Radiant healthy skin relies on our ability to create cell turnover by growing healthy new cells and discarding old ones. 

Do you have a favorite winter self care secret to keep your skin hydrated and healthy? Share with us in comments or on social. 

Happy holidays!