Exfoliating in Winter

an ingredient. Baking soda is especially effective when combined with hydrogen peroxide.

Here are two ways to try baking soda and peroxide: Sprinkle about a quarter-teaspoon of baking soda over your toothbrush after you’ve applied toothpaste. Brush as you normally would. Before rinsing, while the baking soda is still on your teeth, swish your mouth clean with a solution made from equal parts hydrogen peroxide and water.

After brushing as you normally would, do a follow-up brushing with a mixture of 2 tablespoons hydrogen peroxide and 1 tablespoon baking soda. Let the mixture sit on your teeth for about 30 seconds to one minute. Rinse your mouth thoroughly.

But if neither over-thecounter whiteners nor DIY remedies are giving you the results that you want, consider a professional in-house bleaching by your dentist. This procedure entails applying a whitening solution (usually made from hydrogen peroxide) to your teeth and using a curing light or laser to activate the peroxide. The solution stays on your teeth for up to an hour before your dentist will have you rinse it out. A professional whitening can usually achieve desirable results in only one visit.

Finally, it’s important to observe good dental practices to avoid heavy stains in the first place: Brush your teeth thoroughly after every meal with an ADA-approved toothpaste. Avoid staining drinks like coffee, tea, and red wine, as well as tobacco. See your dentist twice a year for a checkup and cleaning.

Exfoliating in Winter: Do You Do It or Not?

By Dylan Roche

Winter air can be rough on your skin! And let’s face it, you might be wary of any skincare practices that are going to aggravate the dryness. One such practice that people worry about—exfoliation. Though it’s an important part of maintaining a healthy complexion, exfoliation is notorious for drying out your skin.

So, does this mean you should temporarily nix it while you deal with January weather? Not at all!

On the contrary, exfoliating is more important than ever during the winter. This is because exfoliation removes the layer of dead skin cells sitting on top of your skin. Unless you remove these dead cells, your daily moisturizer can’t penetrate the surface of your skin and hydrate the way its supposed to. Furthermore, exfoliation gives your skin a refreshed, glowing appearance.

It’s important, however, that you don’t over-exfoliate, as this will give you the dry, irritated skin you’re trying to avoid. If you have sensitive skin, opt for a chemical exfoliant—such as alpha hydroxy acids, beta hydroxy acids, or poly hydroxy acids—which disintegrate the dead skin cells instead of sloughing them off the way a manual exfoliant does.

Home-Based Tip: If you’re looking for a great home-made mechanical exfoliant, try mixing equal parts brown sugar and olive oil until it forms a thick paste. Use this paste to gently scrub your face using a washcloth or an ultrasonic cleansing brush. Work the scrub in a circular motion and then rinse clean with warm water.

To maintain moisture in your skin throughout the cold, dry winter, use a heavier facial moisturizer, ideally one that is oil-based instead of water-based. Apply it immediately after washing your face to lock in moisture. You can also opt for a hydrating serum, which is great for keeping your skin hydrated without giving you a heavy oily feeling.