Defying Age With Dayle Haddon

You might recognize her face from one of a 100 or so magazine covers or from her cosmetic ads. Now, former model Dayle Haddon has applied her years of experience to a book called Ageless Beauty, with insights on health, beauty and well-being for women of all ages.

Haddon, who has held four major cosmetic contracts, has been a well-known model for more than 35 years. She has twice been named to Harper Bazaar's 10 most beautiful women list.

Now she serves as the spokeswoman for L'Oreal's Plentitude Line and the president of DHC, a multimedia company that provides practical health and beauty solutions for women over 40. A mother and grandmother, Haddon believes any age is the right time to develop a greater understanding of health and inner-beauty.

At winter time, many suffer from chapped lips, dry skin, even dry hair and nails. Winter skin can be caused by a lack of moisture in the air, wind, dehydration and medication. If your skin, hair and or nails are becoming flaky, red, itchy or pale, here are Haddon's skin-winterizing techniques:

A four-step regimen to return your skin to optimal health:

• Cleansing: The first step to rejuvenating winter skin is a gentle but thorough cleansing. Taking about one minute at the most, this removes the dirt and dead skin that builds up during the day.

  
  Wash your face twice a day and limit showers or baths to once a day. Use a fluffy wash cloth.

  
  Hot water can eliminate natural oils and proteins that maintain moisture and that create a natural barrier between the skin and the elements. So use lukewarm water and limit showers and baths to no more than 15 minutes.

  
  Rinse well and instead of toweling your skin dry, pat it to retain some moisture.

  
  Winter skin is more susceptible to the perfumes in products. Soap can also irritate and dry the skin, so use face and body products without detergent, soap or perfume - but with moisturizing qualities such as Cetaphil's Gentle Liquid Cleanser for the face or Cetaphil Cleansing Bars for oily and sensitive skin.

  
  For the body, try a combination moisturizer and cleanser, such as Dove's Ultra-Moisturizing Body Wash.

  
  

• Exfoliating: Exfoliate at least once a week. Humans shed dead skin cells during a 20- to 28-day cycle. With aging, skin is shed more slowly. Exfoliation helps by eliminating the top, dead layers that can get glued to the skin by air pollutants, cosmetics, medications, oils and heat.

  
  Exfoliating the top layers exposes the healthier bottom layers; this encourages moisture retention and a youthful glow. Exfoliation can involve the use of brushes or grains, alpha hydroxy acid or creams.

  
  For those looking for the simplicity of combining skin care steps, use a facial brush or a loofah for the body. These products can be used when you cleanse the skin.

  
  When choosing a facial brush, search for soft, flexible bristles. Use one instead of a wash cloth, with a regular skin cleaser.

  
  When using a loofah, purchase a new one at least once a month, because bacteria can get trapped in the sponge.

  
  Exfoliating grains are very popular; formulas are made for the face and body. Wet the face and moisten the grains slightly in your hands. Then make slow, circular motions across the face.

  
  Scrubs at different prices can be found at online cosmetic sites. Or whip up your own in the kitchen using simple recipes (and without perfumes or irritants). Refrigerate these for later use.

  
  Over the last couple of years, alpha hydroxy acid has revolutionized the beauty industry. This term describes a set of natural acids derived from fruit, sugar cane or milk that accelerate skin renewal by breaking up the chemical bonds keeping cells glued to the skin surface.

  
  Alpha hydroxy acids are considered a chemical type of exfoliation, as opposed to the manual method of using a facial brush or grains. These acids appear in almost every type of skin care product, from nail creamto even hair conditioners.

  
  

• Moisturing: For winter skin, select products that are emollient, really thick or oil-like and lacking perfumes. Water evaporates within three minutes of your leaving a bath or shower, so moisturize immediately afterward to trap the water and moisture into the skin.

  
  Other home remedies involve using milk to treat itchy winter skin. Milk is a natural anti-inflammatory, which acts to calm skin. Pour whole milk into a basin, soak a wash cloth and hold it to your skin for about five minutes.

  
  Since Cleopatra's time, milk has been added to the bath. Use either three cups of whole milk or two cups of powdered milk to moisturize the skin. Or add wheat germ oil or sesame oil as a bath oil.

  
  Thick emollient-like products are the best for hands and feet. Try a product as simple as petroleum jelly or Elizabeth Arden's Eight Hour Skin Protectant.

  
  Rub it on at night and wear thick cotton or silk gloves or socks to bed for softer skin in the morning. Use such thick and heavy products before working out; the heat of the body warms the lotion, and the friction caused by the socks and sneakers creates a sort of exfoliation.

  
  A great cuticle softener can be made with warmed almond, olive or wheat germ oil. Warm the oil in the microwave or stove to the touch and soak your hands for five minutes.

  
  For dry or static hair, use conditioner at least twice a week. Rub or comb a few drops of olive oil or wheat germ oil through the hair at night and sleep on an old pillow case. Or buy products that deep condition in about five or 10 minutes.

  
  

• Adding extra protection: The upper layers of the skin are about 10 percent water, while the deeper layers are 60 percent. Your skin craves water; drink between eight to 10 glasses of water a day.

  
  Remember heat removes the moisture from the air and your skin so you want to replace as much moisture as possible. Try placing a container of water near your radiator or prchase a humidifier for the home.

  
  The best protection against the cold is bundling up. Wear a hat, scarf, and gloves. Dress in loose layers. Clothing that is too tight can chaff the skin. Close to the body wear natural fibers such as cotton and silk. Layer with lightweight fabrics for added warmth and to help the body hold in extra moisture.

  
  Sometimes winter skin just doesn't respond to treatment, so purchase a mild cortisone cream at the drugstore, to help soothe broken skin and take away the itch. See your doctor if there is bleeding or irritation that hasn't disappeared or improved after about a week.