Patty Huang is a Master Esthetician and skincare guru at Le Spa de l’hôtel Lotte inside Lotte Hotel Seattle in Seattle, Washington, and she truly changed my skin for the better. With her advice, my skin is more even and radiant than it’s ever been, so she really knows her stuff! In today’s post, I’m sharing excerpts from my interview with her about her favorite tips and tricks to help care for, protect, and improve winter skin at home and in the spa, so that you can up your winter skincare regimen and put your best skin forward over the holidays, into the new year, and beyond.
Please note that I have edited these responses to fit the format of this interview, but all recommendations and pieces of advice come straight from Master Esthetician Patty Huang.
A: Most commonly I treat dry, tight skin, that feels rough or flaky, has lots of redness (called erythema) and sensitivity skin. These issues are so common in the winter, because of dry winter air and exposure to heat sources that further dry out the skin. We will get into how to treat these common winter skin issues later on.
Q: What are your favorite skincare tools for wintertime?
A: When it comes to at home skin care tools, I recommend Biologique Cryo Sticks which I use to massage my skin, to sculpt and to encourage lymphatic drainage. These reduce puffiness and redness, plus they’re very soothing and relaxing to use. I also love to use gua sha, and jade roller are great to have as well, especially when used after chilling the roller.
These tools can help calm any inflammation, and they help with vascular dilation. To use cryo sticks, store them in the fridge or on ice until they are completely cold, and use them immediately after masking with a sheet mask or other mask product. It feels so refreshing and energizing!
A: Vitamins such as A, C, D, E, K, B and Cholin, plus folic acid help protect and improve the appearance of skin, among many other benefits. In some instances, prenatal vitamins can be a great way to ensure you’re getting a wide variety of nutritions that might otherwise be difficult to get in a typical diet. Speak with your doctor to find the best vitamins for your body’s unique needs.
Probiotics are also something I highly recommend, because gut health and maintaining healthy gut flora is another big factor when it comes to skin. Eating foods like avocado and salmon, which contain omega 3,6 and 9 can help improve skin, muscle and connective tissue health. Fruits and vegetables are a great source of antioxidants, so there are lots of options to vary up the nutrients your body receives as a way to improve your skin, particularly in the winter. Eating a colorful diet with a variety of fruits, vegetables, lentils, nuts, and seeds, as well as seafood can greatly improve the appearance and feel of skin.
Drink water with a squeeze of lemon helps your body to stay more alkaline, and of course staying hydrated by drinking at least 8 glasses of water a day is one of the most important things a person can do to take care of their skin and the rest of their body. Essentially, eat a good diet, take proper vitamins, and drink plenty of water. Without these important building blocks, our skin won’t have the right tools to heal itself and improve itself. Fuel your body properly, and your skin will reflect good health.
A: Cold, dry skin need products that are a bit more occulsive, which means that they help keep moisture locked in. Reduce the frequency of which you use of exfoliants and drying products such as those that include salicylic acid, glycolic acid, lactic acid and witch hazel. The overuse of these products can cause more or worsened dry skin, increase irritation and redness, or worsen sensitivities during winter. Switch to using them every other day or less.
A: The majority of us are dehydrated, so it is always important to incorporate hydration treatments as part of any service, regardless the time of the year. Due to cloudy days during winter, I recommend a more aggressive treatments such as chemical peels, microneedling and laser treatments to address concerns such as pigmentations, blemished skin, fine lines and antiaging. After any treatments for both invasive and non-invasive it is important to always apply SPF, even when it is cloudy and overcast. We offer all of these at the spa, except laser treatments.
A: Reduce the use of retinol (vitamin A); there are many forms however since we are battling with cold, rainy weather and being in indoor with heat or taking hot bath or showers retinol (vitamin A) can cause skin irritations, and will increase fine lines and wrinkles. During colder seasons, I recommend reducing the use of retinol acid or the frequency of any exfoliation.
Try not to take hot showers and bring the heat down a notch in the house, instead opting for another layer of sweaters or blankets. Heat can promote damages to our skin, whereas cooler (but still comfortable) water tightens skin, improving elasticity, reducing inflammation, and promoting firmness. Using a humidifier will also help your skin stay hydrated and prevent it from drying out.
Avoid drinking alcohol, and give up smoking if you’re a smoker. This is one of the best things you can do to maintain a youthful appearance!
A: Biologique Recherche P50 Lotion is the toner I have been using and there are 5 different kinds; I was using the P50 1970V that contains phenol for deeper exfoliant and now I switched to using P50V (mid range) or other toner such as MBR (German line) starter Facial Booster for winter weather.
To book an appointment with the master of skincare herself, Master Esthetician Patty Huang at Lotte Hotel Seattle, call +1-206-800-8110 or email book@lespalotte.com to reserve your time slot and transform your skin. View the spa’s menu, here. After your spa treatment at Le Spa de l’hôtel Lotte, head up to Charlotte Restaurant & Lounge for a gorgeous, nutritious, locally sourced meal with an incredible view of Puget Sound to nourish your body, spirit, and mind.
Kelley Paulk says
Thank you 😊