Winter Spa Rescue

	Soothing Sequoia Spa

Both the bitter winds of winter and the lack of humidity as we retreat indoors can leave the body's largest organ dull, dry and even painful.

Can't spend all winter languishing on a tropical island in the shade of a coconut tree while lush breezes keep your skin supple and moist?

Then let the professionals take over, and try one of these luxurious spa treatments for winter-worn skin. These lavish treatments are guaranteed to leave you glowing all over.

For the lowdown on winter skin, I spoke to Kim Dudek, aesthetician and owner of Belladonna Spa in New Orleans.

According to Dudek, there are three essentials to maintaining a healthy exterior during the winter months: hydration, circulation and exfoliation. Belladonna's buyer Margaret Lippman believes that attending to the three musts of winter skin care creates rejuvenation that is more than skin-deep.

Hydration Help

"Both inner and outer are important." Dudek stresses, "Drink plenty of water and make sure you get essential fatty acids, either from food or supplements."

Ann Marie Cilmi, director of education and development at Bliss Spa (locations in New York City, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Chicago and London) suggests using a milk or oil-based cleanser in the winter, as soap depletes moisture. Powders and mists are a no-no as well: "Powders absorb oil, and mists suck moisture from the [skin's] surface," says Cilmi. ...