Face: The Facts Since we've been on-line we've received a variety of questions and inquiries from all over the world. We see many of the same questions and have started this section to answer general questions and provide product information that everyone should have.

AFE Cosmetics & Skincare Skincare for the Changing Weather With the change of season, you may notice a change in your skin. This is normal and is a result of the changing weather. If your weather is getting colder, you may notice your skin feeling drier. (If you have very oily skin, you may notice that you are just a bit oily, if you have fairly normal skin, you may find that it feels a bit drier and if you have dry skin, it's time to invest in a night creme, before you start to feel very dry). If your weather is getting warm, you may notice that your skin feels a bit less dry. Normal skin may start to feel normal to oily and oily skin may begin to move into the very oily range.

Normal to Dry and Dry Skin - It's time to add a night creme and an eye creme if you are not already using them. A good addition to your routine is the Hydrating Serum to boost the moisturizing effects of masques, moisturizers and night cremes. A few drops help bind the moisture to the skin. This is also a good season to be sure and use your moisturizing masque at least twice a week. (If it's difficult to find the time, apply it a few minutes before you shower, let it set up and rinse in the shower.) The Liquid Gold Serum is also great, especially if you have dry patches and have very dry skin.

Now is not the time to try new products that may irritate your skin (specifically alpha hydroxy acid products or harsh scrubs). Starting a Retin A program now is also not a great idea (wait for spring). You'll find that you have more trouble while the weather is changing than when it finally gets and stays cold (your skin will acclimatize, given time and care).

Turn your bath water to warm (not hot), be careful using a facial scrub (gently apply and let the grains do the work--don't RUB) and pat your skin dry. If your facial skin is dry, your body probably suffers from the same problems. Again, warm, rather than hot water will help and use a body scrub to remove dry, flaky skin and a body lotion to help protect your skin against dryness. Also, a liquid soap, rather than a bar soap will be a bit easier on your skin.

Normal to Oily and Oily Skin - If you have normal or normal to oily skin your skin should feel fairly normal now. We highly recommend you adjust your skincare products, if necessary to maintain this skintype. If you continue to use products for oily skin in the cold weather, you can overdry the surface of your skin. Our Balancing Products are designed to adjust to changing conditions so you should be fine. If you are using the Balancing Serum to help with oil control on a daily basis, you can use it just twice a week under your masque.

If you have very oily skin, you should start to feel fairly normal during the changing weather. This is not the time to start neglecting a regular skincare program. Continue to use your regular routine, unless you start to feel slightly dry (your skin should feel "normal"). If your skin feels dry or tight (you'll probably notice it over the cheekbones first), you'll need to adjust your products to those for normal to oily skin.

Although your skin is more oily than dry, you still don't want to dehydrate or overdry the surface of your skin. Warm (rather than hot) bath water is really better for your skin and do pat your skin dry, rather than rubbing it. If you have dry skin on your body, also switch from a bar soap to a liquid soap to bathe with, use a body scrub to keep dry, flaky skin off and use a body lotion after bathing to replace moisture on the surface of your skin.

Normal to Dry and Dry Skin - This is the time of year when your skin should be closest to "normal" and the easiest to maintain. However, if you are fairly normal on a regular basis, you may find that you get a bit oily, especially in the t-zone during the warmer weather. You may also experience occasional breakouts. To avoid problems of this type, you may need to adjust your products for more "normal" skin rather than for "dry" skin. Continue to use a moisturizer every day to protect your skin, but you may want to select one that's slightly lighter than the one you use in the winter. Don't neglect your masque and scrub, your skin still needs the extra care.

Normal to Oily and Oily Skin - If you have normal or normal to oily skin the warm weather makes it harder to keep your skin at "normal". You may have to adjust your skincare products to those for normal to oily or oily skin. If your skin is very oily, we suggest our Purifying Line of products which are good for problem/blemished skin and skin that is very oily. Otherwise, we recommend the Balancing Products which adjust well to changing skin conditions. We do recommend you add the Balancing Serum which provides additional oil control and really helps reduce shine. The serum should be used under your moisturizer (or instead of the moisturizer for oily skin) and under the masque which can be used up to three times a week for additional oil control.

Very Oily Skin - If you have very oily skin, and used the Balancing Products through the cold weather, you may need to return to the Purifying Products, if the Balancing products don't provide enough "balance" for your skin. Try adding the Purifying Cleanser and Toner. If you are just oily (not breaking out or having problems with blackheads) continue using the Balancing Moisturizer, Balancing Serum and Masque.