Winter is coming, and — whether you’re excited about hot chocolate and snowballs, or curled up by the fire and nestling until spring — there’s no doubt that harsh weather can take a toll on the skin. Read on to learn about some of the best winter spa treatments and how to help your clients navigate this cold, crisp season looking and feeling great.
Seasonal transition in skin care
The transition from fall to winter looks different depending on where you live, but it’s safe to say that the temperature is dropping and the heat is rising. This means that the hot, dry air indoors wreaks havoc on your skin, and the cold air and wind outside do double duty. Don’t worry though, there are plenty of skin care treatments that can hydrate, reduce irritation and even warm up cold skin during those long, dark months. Customers could use some major head-to-toe replenishment and look to you to expertly guide them through this transition, preparing them for the onslaught of harsh, cold weather.
As winter approaches, dry skin or flaking is likely to become more pronounced as the temperature drops and the weather becomes more extreme. Snow, you are beautiful but not always great for skin. In addition, many of us resort to artificial heat sources and long, hot showers or baths to escape the cold. Both central heating and exposure to hot water can further strip the skin of its natural oils and you may find that your skin becomes dry, itchy, cracked and flaky. That’s why winter skin care is so important.
Facial Treatments
If sunburn on the cheeks or dry, dehydrated skin is a problem, clients can reap the benefits of a moisturizing, revitalizing or restorative treatment. And while many types of facials can provide benefits at any time of year, certain treatments stand out as ideal choices for this time of year.
If your clients are experiencing weather-related skin irritation, a rejuvenating facial is a great place to start. Paprika Herbal Treatment is a spicy option ideal for mature, uneven or problematic skin. Paprika and cinnamon invigorate and revitalize while sage, honey and lavender soothe, replenish and hydrate wind-damaged skin, leaving clients with fresher, firmer and brighter skin.
Extreme temperatures and changes in humidity can create the perfect storm for skin problems. Any glow that was left over from the summer is long gone and dullness may have set in. Now is a good time to recommend a peel, as gentle exfoliation encourages faster cell turnover, which gently breaks down the glue that holds dead skin right where you do it. you don’t want it.
Blueberry Detox Firming Peel has lactic acid that removes dead skin cells, while blueberry, raspberry and blackberry juice provides a dose of vitamins and antioxidants. Esthetician and client, Pamela S., reviewed the peel on our website saying, “I LOVE this treatment… I rely on it for skin that needs exfoliating detox and a glow that lasts for days. It contains paprika, which warms the skin and increases blood flow, which is SO GOOD. A secret weapon every beautician needs in their back bar.”
Nothing beats hot cocoa in winter and the Chocolate Mousse Hydrating Mask is a real treat for dry skin this time of year. Packed with moisturizing macadamia, almond and jojoba oils, as well as antioxidants in cocoa and vitamins C and E, this treatment for your skin will leave it hydrated and looking plump and firm. It’s also available in retail size so your customers can enjoy this decadent mask in the comfort of their own home.
Body exfoliation
Another great way to replenish dry winter skin from head to toe is with an exfoliating treatment. Too much time spent warming up by the fire or relaxing in a hot tub or sauna can significantly affect texture and hydration levels throughout the body, causing tightness, flaking and itching. An exfoliating scrub gets rid of dead skin cells to reveal fresher, smoother skin. A beneficial treatment in its own right, a body scrub is also a great addition before another treatment such as a body wrap.
A professional scrub is a wonderful way to get rid of that top layer of dead, itchy skin and reveal a smooth, hydrated glow. Our Cranberry Pomegranate Sugar Scrub sets the perfect mood for the winter season. Cranberry is rich in vitamins and antioxidants, as are other ingredients such as green tea and pomegranate. Coconut Sugar Scrub is another great choice in winter. Moisturizing coconut oil combines with refreshing cucumber, while exfoliating natural cane sugar leaves skin soft and silky. And the beachy scent of coconut can conjure up images of a tropical paradise, even with a foot of snow on the ground. Follow with a wrap, massage, shower and a soothing moisturizer, and your client will leave hydrated and happy.
Body wraps
Body wraps are another year-round treat, but there’s something about coming in from the cold in a warm and cozy wrap that sounds especially appealing. Here are some that your customers will love:
Eminence Organics Herbal body wraps are designed to heal, restore and detoxify and can be used to tighten skin all over the body. Continuing the hot cocoa theme, the Chocolate Truffle Body Wrap is a real treat this time of year. Made with cocoa, which is rich in antioxidants to hydrate skin and diminish the appearance of fine lines, as well as emollient macadamia and almond oils, this wrap is a decadent treat for your skin.
For a warming option, the Herbal Cellulite Treatment nourishes and hydrates skin with honey, while paprika and nettle create a sense of warmth — welcome in these cooler months. This spicy combination helps activate skin’s appearance for a healthy-looking glow. If your client’s skin is feeling dry, the Stone Crop Restorative Body Wrap contains aloe and powerful actives to hydrate, revitalize and brighten the skin’s appearance from head to toe.
Massage
As we warm up, the idea of a nice massage is definitely on the table. What better way to wind down during the hustle and bustle of the holiday season than to relax?
Our Apricot Body Oil is a massage oil that will leave skin incredibly soft, smooth and nourished. Apricot kernel oil is rich in vitamins A, C and E, and grape and jojoba oils are incredibly nourishing and moisturizing.
Another Eminence Organics oil that’s perfect for massage (at the spa or at home) is the Stone Crop Body Oil, which is formulated with arnica and stone crop, rosehip and avocado oils for hydration.
