Baby, it’s cold outside! And, no matter where you live, whether it’s negative temperatures or just a little bit “not-as-warm” as usual (supercold-weather states and those who are snowed in, don’t roll your eyes), your skin is confused by the change in climate and in desperate need of some TLC. Here is our roundup of the very best winter facials—plus some tips from spa experts for how to replicate a similar at-home experience if you just want to stay put this season.
The Radiance Revealer
As the Big Apple takes on a big freeze, chances are, your face is feeling it. If you want to de-thaw and de-stress (and who doesn’t?), head over to the always-luxurious The Spa at Mandarin Oriental New York. This season, they are serving up the high-performance customized Amala BioRadiance Facial, which they recommend as the perfect winter-skin pick me up. The botanical centered treatment begins with a skin analysis to determine the need for toning, deep-pore cleansing, softening of fine lines, and, the cold-weather favorite, restoring hydration. From there, organic seed oils and whole plant products gently cleanse and exfoliate to balance, while stimulating cell renewal and providing long-lasting antioxidant protection. Each facial also includes a Manual Lymphatic Drainage Massage to reduce puffiness.
The Skin Calmer
It’s been snowing in Sedona, AZ, this January, a weather anomaly that’s given L’Apothecary spa at L’Auberge de Sedona plenty of reason to roll out its menu of customized facials that treat just about every skin-care concern. No matter which one you choose, don’t skip the Chitosan Masque with Chamomile, a supersoothing, hydrating peel-off masque add-on that calms and reduces the appearance of redness and irritation on-contact. Inside Tip: Before you leave, ask spa director Catherine Powers for her recommendation on what you can whip up at the spa’s blending station (it has exotic flower essences and local botanicals like juniper, chaparral and rosemary) so you can take a little bit of the desert home with you.
The Complexion Revitalizer
Grand Geneva Resort & Spa in Lake Geneva, WI, has been busy this winter with guests requesting the Three Milks-a-Merry Winter Nourishment Facial—a superpopular treatment that includes a green-tea infused facial cleanser, hydrating compress of steaming coconut milk, One Fine Day facial polish and Three Milks Ageless moisturizer. Together, the peptide-pumped mix of products hydrates and leaves skin looking really revitalized.
The Ultimate Hydrator
By now, it’s no secret that the popular antioxidant- and peptide-rich HydraFacial delivers real results in the form of incredibly hydrated skin, minus any downtime. Chances are, you’ve seen it at a lot of spas before—but one that’s doing it a bit differently? The waterfront SiSpa at Palm Beach Marriott Singer Island Beach Resort & Spa. Its version (which the spa says is currently the most sought-after facial on the menu) still showcases the customizable treatment that improves the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, congested and enlarged pores, oily skin, hyperpigmentation and brown spots, but what makes it unique is the spa’s menu of uberhydrating add-ons, which include everything from a moisturizing lip treatment to a firming mask, making it a perfect pick for anyone who just got off a plane.
The Moisture Magnet
Coining its Moisture Drench Facial as “nature’s answer to moisture-deprived skin,” The Lodge at Woodloch in Hawley, PA, is also helping up skin hydration levels this winter. According to the spa, this customized treatment replenishes moisture at the cellular level with bio-active botanical serums, while a deeply hydrating cream fortified with antioxidant-rich black currant oil and hyaluronic acid improves elasticity and promotes vibrant-looking skin.
The Puffy-Skin Solution
What does the Caribbean know about the winter weather? Plenty, as The Spa at Regent Palms Turks & Caicos has a ton of must-try spa prescriptions for visitors fleeing from colder climates. According to spa director, Stephanie Rest, her cure for puffy skin that’s even better than cool cucumbers? Black tea bags—and you don’t even have to pack your bags to try this one out. “Often under-eye circles are caused from genetics, lack of collagen in the skin or seasonal allergies. My favorite at-home remedy is black tea bags. The caffeine will help restrict the blood vessels and the coolness will relive the puffiness.”
The Botanical Booster
The woodsy atmosphere of Twin Farms in Barnard, VT, sets the stage for the perfect winter wonderland getaway, and the spa’s Tata Harper facials set the stage for you getting one step closer to perfect skin this season. The 100-percent natural and organic facials use only homegrown Vermont ingredients (which smell incredible) to provide that much-needed instant “glow,” plus a layer of nourishing vitamins and antioxidants to protect your skin from the elements.
The Peptide Prescription
Situated on the top floor of Hotel Terra Jackson Hole, the Chill Spa at Hotel Terra knows a thing or two about treating complexions that just came in from the cold (and the snow!). This winter, one of their most-popular treatments that guests are requesting post-ski session is the 80-minute Arctic Berry Peel & Peptide Illuminating Facial, an anti-aging treatment that utilizes enzymatic exfoliation, a peel featuring a powerful blend of arctic berries and naturally-derived peptides, which produces an instant glow.