Top 5 Skin Care Tips For Winter

I didn't experience the 0 degree weather in Riyadh this winter season because thankfully, I escaped to my tropical home country before the cold bit me. It's still quite cold in the desert nowadays with the temperature ranging from 10 degrees above. The mornings and evenings are the most harsh; I feel like I undergo botox every time the wind blows on my face. Not that I've tried botox, haha! It just feels like my cheeks are frozen and couldn't move (isn't that the effect of botox? Haha!). I feel for my skin but I don't really make any changes to my skincare routine in the morning thinking that the winter season will be short and will go away any time soon. 

Turns out I should pay more attention with my skin during the cold weather. And so should you. Here are some tips I got from Dr. Lilian Khan, Pond's Arabia's dermatologist and brand expert. She said that there is a need to change cleansers during winter because our skin is not that oily from the heat and humidity that summers bring. So a change of state needs a tweak in skin care regimen even for just 3-4 months, or as long as winter stays. 

1. Moisturize, moisturize, moisturize! 

All skin types will need moisturizers during winter - even those who have acne-prone skin. If you're suffering from acne, choose hydrating lotion and labeled "non comedogenic." If you have dry eczema prone skin, choose hypoallergenic non irritating moisturizer. The key to this is reading a product's label and choosing those which are specific to your skin type.

Moisturizers and creams

2. Wear sunscreen. 

The sun is always shining so don't think just because it's cold, that the sun has let up its powerful rays. Wear sunscreen whatever the season is. Wear sunscreen every day! A broad spectrum sunscreen that protects from both UVA and UVB with the recommended SPF 30 and above is still mandatory. A good option is Pond's Flawless White BB+ Cream with GenActiv formula that brightens natural skin tone. It provides both coverage and sunscreen.

A BB cream that works wonders.

3. Use milk. 

I'm not saying you buy milk from the grocery and use them to take a bath. Unless you're Cleopatra (or Gretchen Barretto), you don't need to waste as much milk. Just look for milk or lactic acid in the ingredients of the products you'll use and that's effective already to make your skin soft, smooth, and hydrated.

Kitchen skin recipes

4. Exfoliate, exfoliate, exfoliate! 

Say goodbye to dry skin by using a nice honey and sugar combination (these stuff are easy to find in your pantry!). Honey acts as humectant and reduces inflammation and sugar, when massaged on the skin, increases circulation and acts as mild exfoliant. Use this mixture once per week to elbows and knees to make them softer and brighter. When using exfoliating tools like scrubs, rub mildly. 

5. Shower for 10 minutes only. Yes, 10 minutes only because even if you want to take a longer hot shower and bath because it's cold, the longer you take a bath, the dryer your skin becomes. Make sure that you use of water that is slightly colder in temperature on your last rinse. Also, use shower oils! They're a solution to dry, flaky, irritated skin. 

So there you go, simple skin care steps that will help you go through the cold, dry winter. Personally, I also carry with me a tube of hand cream all the time because my hands get really dry especially with all the washing it undergoes on a daily basis. Let me know if you have more skin care tips and we'll be glad to share them in our Facebook page. ~ Sundrenched

Winter in South East Asia

How are you enjoying your winter?

The other Pink Tarha ladies have posted the photos of their winter essentials. Don't you just love their cute and gorgeous stuff? I wish I can wear 'em here in Manila! Haha! I doubt if I can fit in Maryhadalittlehump's knitted wear though. Hehe.

While I am not experiencing Riyadh's brrr days right now, I had the chance to experience winter in another country! And I wore my winter essentials. Mabuti na lang may practice na ako ng 'winter' sa Riyadh, kung hindi, I'll probably stuck with just long sleeved cotton blouses for this trip. Before Saudi Arabia, I can't imagine a dry winter sans snow. But I ♥ winter! Here's my winter ensemble:

Day 1: ALL BLACK
Beret PROMOD Black turtle neck blouse ZARA Black cotton coat and black pants CITYMAX Jelly shoes JESSICA in SM

Day 2: CHECKS AND STRIPES
Shades TERRANOVA Scarf ACCESSORIZE Military jacket NEW LOOK Checkered boyfriend shirt THE BF SHIRT from the World Trade Bazaar Black velvet pants CITYMAX Black knee-high socks ZARA Embroidered flats LADIES MARKET in Mongkok Messenger bag HUMAN

Day 3: SPLASH OF COLOR
Black cap H&M Shades FOREVER 21 Colorful scarf ACCESSORIZE Military jacket NEW LOOK Inner graphic tank top TOPSHOP Black pants MNG Embroidered flats LADIES MARKET in Mongkok

I miss winter in Riyadh! I'm sure everyone's freezing in there but I know, with your family and friends with you, I'm sure you'll just give winter the cold shoulder and will not let the chill ruin your celebration of welcoming the 2010.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

§undrenched, blogging in MNL

PS. I just have to say that it's such a good thing I was already unveiled because I do not have to photoshop my photos to blur my face. Wala din kasi akong Photoshop dito sa Pinas, lol. Yun nga lang, kailangan n'yong pagtyagaan ang hitsura ko. Hehehe. ;)

Winter Essentials

Winter time has definitely made it's presence felt in the city. It's now difficult to get up from bed in the morning, just because the cold keeps calling you back to bed. Coffee sales are up and laziness is in an all time high. Perhaps our bodies aren't just made to combat the cold weather and that is why bears hibernate (Ano daw? Paki-konek nga!) Haha. Well, the Pink Tarha ladies will definitely be combating this winter season....in style! Here are our favorite winter style essentials for the season.

From Shoegarfreeruby's (R) closet:

Violet, wool hat with a bow trim from Jasper Conrad

Black wool cap with bow from H&M

Black, knitted scarf from H&M

Wool hats are very 'haute' fashion forms this winter time. Kick your outfits up a notch with pretty hats that will keep your heads warm and pair it with a knitted scarf to complete the look, just like R does. Since our heads are the most visible parts of our body when we're out in public (because we are in our abayas), hats and scarves are the accessories we can do away with.

From Maryhadalittlehump's (M) closet:

Stripe sweaters from MNG and The XDye Knitwear

These three sweaters are M's favorites. Since she is a slim lady, stripe patterns do well for her. Colors this season are particularly dark and plum-ish. The green one is reserved for Christmas gatherings. Layer these sweaters over a crisp, white blouse and you got yourself a trendy top to go to work with.

From Eyecandy's (E) closet:

Cotton scarves (and one silk scarf) from Debenhams and Marks & Spencer.

E is big on scarves. It's her favorite accessory during winter (apart from boots and gloves). A good pop of color always go well with her abaya on..so with a scarf, you can't go wrong! It's simple and the color you choose shows a little personality. E's favorite scarf is the pink one (Pink Tarha represent, represent yo!). Boots are also big this season, though we're still waiting for the sale season to get ourselves new pairs of boots. We're still clacking away with our old ones...when we got them though, we'll sure feature it!

Other staple winter apparels are ponchos, socks, stockings, leg warmers and gloves. Be sure to have one handy or else you might freeze! A special someone to give you warm hugs are beneficial too. Paano na lang ang ilan sa amin na malamig ang pasko? I guess it's just layers and layers of clothing for us then! Haha.

Sundrenched (S) is in the Philippines at the moment so we weren't able to get her favorites photographed. It was E by the way who took these pictures at her family's living room adorned with Christmas decor. Can you feel the Christmas spirit yet or what?!

Keep warm! :)