Winter Skincare Advice from Expert Jan Marini

Jan Marini, President and CEO of Jan Marini Skin Research, is a pioneer in the professional skincare arena. She has more than three decades of experience researching and developing new and innovative skincare technologies. And we have her top beauty tips to help keep skin protected and youthful during the holiday season.

Tip #1: Dry Lips

One of the most common complaints relating to harsh winter weather is dry chapped lips. Not only are dry lips uncomfortable, but they can interfere with lipstick application and certainly look unsightly.

Here’s a tip guaranteed to deliver smooth, hydrated luscious looking lips:

After removing your lipstick, use a wet (wrung out) washcloth to rigorously “buff” the lip area. This provides just the right amount of exfoliation and removes dead dryskin, leaving behind a smooth surface.
Rub everything you use on your face over your lips – and be generous. This means moisturizers, retinol, etc.
Finish with a sealant. Use something that is thick and emollient. This idea is to leave behind a barrier that sits on your lips throughout the night and prevents moisture from escaping. Some great examples are plain old Vaseline, Elizabeth Arden 8-hour cream, or Janet Sartin Superfatted Cream.
In the AM, make certain you again massage your facial products onto your lip and finish with sunscreen.

You won’t believe how silky, plump and smooth your lips will look. Goodbye dry chapped lips forever!

Tip #2: Dark Circles

The second most common female complaint is dark circles. The primary cause of dark circles are hereditary influences. In particular, individuals with dark circles have blood vessels closer to the surface that are more visible through the thinner lower eyelid skin. However, as our dark circle sisters will attest, late nights, allergies, and the common cold, to name a few, can create fluctuating and inconsistent under eye area.

However there is help. Dark Circle Eye Defense contains retinol, anti-aging peptides and several other ingredients that can help to stabilize and minimize this temperamental area. The combinations of synergistic agents can dramatically address the appearance of dark circles. In addition continuous use ensures that under eyelid skin is more consistent throughout holiday partying, the cold season and life’s other stressful challenges.

Tip #3: Dull Winter Skin

Whether your skin is dry or oily, colder winter weather can make any complexion look duller and less vibrant. While increased moisture helps to provide a protective barrier in harsh temperatures, moisturizers don’t address skin that seems sluggish and looks like it’s half hidden behind a dull layer of skin.

Even in winter months, exfoliation is a must for keeping facial skin looking polished and luminous with that perfect “airbrushed” look.

Some resurfacing agents can have an anti-inflammatory effect and can also boost the skin’s ability to manufacture substances that retain water. Combination of acids are perfect for this task. Plus these same agents can assist in keeping skin blemish-free as well as lessening the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

Tip #4: Dehydrated Skin

Believe it or not, a supplement can actually increase your skin’s hydration and volume, making you look like you are glowing and moisturized from within.

Regardless of how much water you consume, as you age, you produce less of the substances that allow your body and skin to retain water. These substances are partly responsible for giving you that plumped up luscious moist quality as opposed to the more gaunt, less dense appearance of older and sun damaged skin.

Biocell is a revolutionary form of internal hyaluronic acid that is attached to a peptide, which allows for absorption. In the body, each molecule of hyaluronic acid absorbs and retains approximately 10,000 times its weight in water. This amazing breakthrough can and does make a rapid visible improvement in skin texture and moisture content. Perfect prevention and maintenance for dehydrated party skin!

Tip #5: Dreaded “Before Party” Acne Breakout

I guarantee you that the unexpected and unwelcome breakout you have today was brewing long before it emerged to ruin your perfect holiday party. The best and most effective solution is prevention. The first must is a stellar, consistent skincare program designed to melt your specific needs and goals. Secondly, a specific preventative measure that really works:

Step 1. Cleanse as usual in the PM.

Step 2. Apply your usual AHAs, serums, moisturizers, etc.

Step 3. Apply Benzoyl Peroxide 5% or 10% over your other products, only on the area or areas where breakouts tend to occur.

Putting the Benzoyl over the other products prevents unnecessary dryness. But keep in mind that this is a fabulous preventative, so you must continue even when you are breakout free.

Tip #6: Jan’s #1 Anti-Aging Tip

What’s my #1 anti-aging tip? You’ve heard it before, but I can’t stress it enough: Sunscreen! While short wave length UVB rays are weaker in the winter months, not so with UVS. The long UVS wavelengths are the same intensity all year long, even when it is cloudy, raining, or snowing. These rays penetrate your skin like an invisible X-ray, destroying collagen and elastin, and damaging the foundation of your firm youthful-looking skin. This damage may not show up for some time, but you can be certain that the groundwork has been imprinted into your DNA and it will manifest itself in unsightly lines and wrinkles, brown spots, coarse texture and sagging contours. Undisputed research confirms that faithful daily sunscreen users will be rewarded with softer, smoother, more youthful skin than their counterparts.

Tip #7: Pale Winter Skin

Here’s the dilemma: You feel like your facial skin looks pasty white and your sunless tanner looks a little overdone for mid-winter. So how do you achieve that flawless, barely sun-kissed flattering glow?

Put a dollop of your favorite moisturizer in your hand and add a pea to a dime-size amount of sunless tanner and mix them together. Then apply to entire face just like you would apply moisturizer. It’s mistake-proof and delivers a subtle glow.

You can incorporate this into your daily routine to maintain the perfect reflective hue.

Tip #8: Ragged Dry Cuticles

Cold winter weather not only dries facial skin but also has the potential to ravage already dry cuticles. Here’s a tip that’s guaranteed to remove dead, ugly cuticles without cutting and leave behind soft, smooth skin around the nail area. This is accomplished via a technology that dissolves and dislodges dead, dry skin without harming normal skin. The result is miraculous!