I asked Amanda Birch of Beauty by Amanda Birch (286 Millwood Rd, Chappaqua, 914-218-8782; www.beautybyamandabirch.com) to share some tips for winter skincare.
“Cleansing is so important,” she says. “If your skin isn’t cleansed properly it won’t absorb all the active ingredients from your serums and treatment creams. If you cleanse too harshly, you strip the skin’s natural oils and irritate the skin, often triggering the aging process. I like Carrot Butter Cleanser from The Organic Pharmacy. It is a rich natural buttery balm that deeply cleanses without stripping your skin, leaving it soft and nourished. Massage it into the skin and then add water and gently massage with a Clarisonic brush for one minute, then remove with a warm damp washcloth (Aden and Anais muslin washcloths are great). The Clarisonic is like a sonic toothbrush but for the skin—it’s brilliant! It deeply cleanses, stimulates micro-circulation and massages the skin tissue. It’s very gentle but thorough; use it at night only. In the morning, just soak the washcloth in warm water and wipe over the face and neck, repeat once or twice and then finally with cool water.”
