Dry skin is a common issue many people face, especially during the colder winter months. It's never too early in the warmer months to begin taking care of your skin to prep for winter skin care woes in order to avoid them.

Dry, flaky skin can be uncomfortable and itchy. The good news is dry skin is preventable and treatable with the right skin care routine. Follow this guide to learn tips for keeping your skin hydrated, moisturized and soft all year long.

Our society as a whole is living longer and longer lives. Unfortunately, our skin doesn’t always seem to get the memo. While you may still feel young and vibrant, the mirror may not be as kind. Thankfully, there are a number of wonderful serums on the market that can make you look as young as you feel. Let’s take a closer look at five serums for mature skin.

1. Jan Marini's C-ESTA Face Serum

Lift, tighten, and firm – these aren’t only the results of a good workout, but a great serum. Jan Marini’s C-ESTA Face Serum includes antioxidants that can help combat free radicals that cause the aging of skin. If you’re hoping to give your face the boost is needs, you should definitely have this serum tucked away in your face care products. The best part is that Jan now offers it in a serum, cream and an oil control formulation if you have oily skin.

2. Paula's Choice Resist Hyaluronic Acid Booster

What keeps us looking young? It’s the outermost layer of our skin, of course. We want this skin barrier to be hydrated and smooth. Paula's Choice Hyaluronic Acid Booster not only hydrates the skin, but with continued use it will also strengthen the skin, reducing the appearance of wrinkles.

3. The Ordinary “Buffet” + Copper Peptides 1%

This serum from The Ordinary is a multi-tasking serum intended to target a multitude of skin concerns at once. The added bonus of copper peptides aids at improving skin health, decreasing inflammation and improving collagen production.

4. Marula Night Serum with Hibiscus

This has been the one serum that I have literally told everyone about. The scent is divine, but the deep moisturizing properties of this serum from Travertine Spa is BEYOND. As I've gotten older, my skin becomes drier, easier, it seems and my skin just soaks this marula serum right up. The price is well worth it for incredibly hydrated, silky smooth skin and the bottle lasted a long time.

5. Renée Rouleau Firm + Repair Overnight Serum

Have you noticed your skin starting to sag? I know I am. Skin loses collagen and elastin as we age, which results in the drooping of our skin. That's no bueno for me, and having known Renée personally for 10 years now, I trust her skin expertise (if celebs trust their skin to her, so can you.) This overnight serum gives beauty sleep credibility, as it works to repair and firm while you're deep in dreamland. There are hundreds, if not thousands, of face serums on the market. Choosing the right one for your skin may take a bit of trial and error as everyone has different skin types. However, this list is a great place to start. Subscribe to A Girl’s Gotta Spa! beauty blog. Watch our reviews on YouTube, see our pins on Pinterest and check us out on Instagram. Got a Kindle? We’re on Kindle too! Or check out our natural bath and body line!

This post was sponsored by Amopé™ as part of an influencer activation for the #AmopeCrowd and Socialstars™. I received complimentary products to facilitate my review, but all opinions (and sandal-ready feet) are my own.

Florals and citrus, a shorter hairstyle, light breezy dresses, sandals...warmer weather opens the doors to both shed our winter layers and reveal some skin. Depending on how you look at it, this can be a welcomed change, or something that you dread. I used to be embarassed to wear sandals or my favorite flip-flops out in public. It always seemed that no matter what I did, I could not reign in the cracks on my heels or the dryness on the tops of my toes. (Please tell me I'm not alone.) Sure an amazing pedicure at one of my favorite local spas would whip my feet into shape, but only for a short time. As much as I enjoy time at the spa, it's not always in my budget and sometimes I just can't swing my schedule. So finding the right products to get that spa-worthy pedicure at home is something I'm always on the hunt for and I think I finally found the right mix. I've been talking about the Amopé™ Pedi Perfect Wet & Dry Rechargeable Foot File for a few months now and I have to say, my feet have never looked better. I've been using it 2-3 times a week to exfoliate my feet using it on two speeds and both wet and dry. How-To Pedicure on Dry Skin: Doing a pedicure on dry skin with no water involved is easy peasy and literally only takes a few minutes. I'd recommend this when you don't really have too much time for a full-on pedicure. I squeeze this in while I am watching one of my favorite shows (The Walking Dead, Fear the Walking Dead, Shark Tank, The Profit, etc.) 1. Put a few sheets of paper towel under your feet, and turn your Amopé™ Pedi Perfect on the highest speed (press the top button once.) I use this setting just for my heels, the sides of my feet and my big toe (for some reason I tend to get calluses on that toe the most.) Do this for a good 60-90 seconds moving the electronic foot file up and down. It works fast, so this amount of time is plenty. 2. Next, turn it to the lowest setting (hit the top button twice) and focus on the ball of your feet, gently on the tippity top of your toes (avoiding your nails) and anywhere else that your feet are sensitive. This will only take you less than 60 seconds. 3. Most of the exfoliated skin will be on the paper towels, but if there are any on your feet, just gently wipe it off. 4. Apply cuticle softener then clip and file your toe nails. Then push back your cuticles. 5. Apply your favorite lotion, which you'll notice will quickly absorb into your skin now that you got rid of the dead skin. 6. Last step is applying your favorite polish and top coat. How-To Pedicure on Wet Skin: One of the best things about the Amopé™ Pedi Perfect Wet & Dry Rechargeable Foot File is that it is waterproof so you can use it in the shower and around water. Sometimes I just use it in the shower (again, when I am short on time) and sometimes I soak my feet to really soften them up. 1. Grab a plastic basin and fill it with warm water. Drop in a bath bomb - a mini bath bomb will do the trick, but most of the time I only have medium-sized ones on hand. The epsom salt will help to purify and remove toxins and the fragrance is always a great stress reliever. Soak for a good 5-10 minutes. 2. Follow steps 1 and 2 from the dry pedicure how-to minus the paper towels. 3. Grab your favorite salt scrub (mine is citrus) and scrub between your toes, around your nail beds and then a once over your entire foot. I love salt scrub for this because it has just the right amount of grit to really exfoliate where the electronic foot file can't go. The moisturizing oils in mine really hydrate my feet too. 4. Rinse and pat dry leaving your feet slightly damp. 5. Apply your favorite hydrating lotion - and don't forget between your toes (I feel like this is often overlooked!) 6. Then follow steps 4 and 6 from above. You could of course do this while watching your favorite shows too, it just takes a bit longer. These steps can be done in the shower, as well, naturally waiting to do steps 4 and 6 until you are actually out of the shower! I do the dry, quick version 2x a week and then do the wet version via shower once a week. Once a month I do the wet version with the basin and bath bomb. It makes a huge difference and I'm no longer embarassed by my feet. They are super soft, hydrated and are no longer dry and cracked. If you follow this how-to I would LOVE to hear from you, let me know the difference it makes in your feet! Follow Amopé™ on Facebook! Subscribe to A Girl’s Gotta Spa! beauty blog. Watch our reviews on YouTube, see our pins on Pinterest and check us out on Instagram and G+. Got a Kindle? We’re on Kindle too!

This post was sponsored by Amopé™ as part of an influencer activation for the #AmopeCrowd and Socialstars™. I received complimentary products to facilitate my review, but all opinions are my own.

The key to a long-lasting relationship is scheduling time together 1:1. It can be really difficult to do, especially when you have a large family like mine. For my husband and I, spending any quality time together typically means sleeping soundly in the same proximity in 2 hour increments until our baby wakes up for his feeding. So when we have the opportunity to actually go on a date OUT OF THE HOUSE? I am all about making sure I look great. (When you look good, you feel even better after all.) When I know that date night doesn't include renting a movie and eating take-out (because my fellow moms know this is usually the case), I take full advantage of using my arsenal of beauty products and giving myself some extra me-time in the process. My typical process for getting date night ready includes: A relaxing bath to get my mind re-focused: Having 6 kids and working full time can equal quite the frazzled brain. Soaking in the tub for even just 15 minutes literally melts away the stress. A fragrant bath bomb added to the mix helps to declutter that internal conversation in preparation for an evening out with my man. Indulging my hair with a hair treatment: Most days you can find my hair in a ponytail or looking unruly in the tiny fist of my 6 month old. In other words, I totally have the mom look down. During my bath time ritual, I typically use a hair mask or leave-in treatment to repair any damage to my hair. The result is touchably soft locks that make me look like I have a good hair day every day. Pampering my feet: If I'm going to trade my sneakers for heels for a night, there's some serious work that needs to be done on my feet. To smooth dry spots, rough patches and callouses, I use the Amopé™ Pedi Perfect Wet & Dry Rechargeable Foot File. I like this for two reasons - it's waterproof so I can use it while in the tub (so I can basically multi-task as usual), and it does a better job than using a manual foot file with its two-speed roller head. Moisturizing my skin: After my bath I make sure my face and body are hydrated with my favorite body lotion and facial cream. Skin always imparts a healthy glow when it's nourished! Finishing touches with hair and makeup: From the best hair styling products that reduce frizz and impart shine to using makeup that spotlights my best features (my eyes, hello!), this is where most of my time is spent getting ready. There you have it! While it may sound pretty simple, setting aside time for some pampering before your date will seriously do you a world of good. Self care is the best form of wellness in my book and it shows when you're out with the one you love! How do you get date night ready? Be sure to follow Amopé™ on Facebook! If you liked this post please tweet it!

Get date night ready with Amopé™! https://t.co/qKgAXRdmdb #AmopeCrowd #spon #beauty pic.twitter.com/7G7gzGW66k

— A Girl's Gotta Spa! (@agirlsgottaspa) February 18, 2016

Subscribe to A Girl’s Gotta Spa! beauty blog. Watch our reviews on YouTube, see our pins on Pinterest and check us out on Instagram and G+. Got a Kindle? We’re on Kindle too!

As a consumer, my hope is that when a product comes to market, it delivers information that is true. I mean, we're all so busy, who has the time to fact check everything? For a while, we all believed the mascara commercials and ads where the spokesperson/model had the most amazing lashes... until the FTC made them disclose that the lashes you saw were really lash extensions with mascara and a healthy dose of photoshop. And sidebar - prior to this disclosure I always thought something was just plain wrong with me because I couldn't duplicate those lashes using that miracle mascara. Every year there is a new fad ingredient for skin care and cosmetics. Some of them, like argan oil, truly deserve the praise and promotion. While others deserve to be looked at with skepticism. Enter probiotics. Now don't get me wrong, my whole family takes a probiotic and we eat yogurt with live cultures all the time. I know the benefits of probiotics because it has really helped us with gut issues. Probiotics are a good thing. However, I've noticed a trend with it being touted as a miracle skin care ingredient. I've seen claims that state that probiotic skin care offers a healthy dose of probiotics to help boost the skin’s immune system. That probiotic skin care is infused with healthy bacteria. Another brand says the probiotics in their skin care protects and strengthens the skin's microbiome. It all sounds amazing... if it were true. Whenever I hear these sciencey types of claims I immediately turn to my longtime myth-busting beauty blogger friend Perry of The Beauty Brains.  Who, if you are not aware, is a cosmetic chemist and scientist. In other words, he knows his stuff. Perry told me, "Probiotics in skin care will not affect your immune system. For probiotics to have an effect, they would have to be living and there are no skin care products on the market that have living probiotics (bacteria) in their products. It is marketing BS pure and simple." And the claim that probiotics in skin care can protect and strengthen the skin's microbiome? Perry explained,"The bacteria and other microscopic creatures that live on your skin (like demodex mites) are called the skin microbiome. If you took a microscope and looked at skin you'd see a literal zoo of microbes. The claim that the skin care line 'protects and strengthens' the microbiome is meaningless marketing drivel. That's like saying you protect and strengthen a zoo. It makes no sense, but it sounds impressive to consumers." So there you have it. Probiotics in skin care to boost your immune system or to protect/strengthen your skin is merely marketing hype; a buzzword. And while it's true, we've previously reviewed and raved about a skin care brand whose focus is probiotics, in hindsight it appears that the products worked well due to the other skin nourishing ingredients, not in relation to probiotics. So when you read or hear about "probiotic technology" (which I have yet to see any brand truly define what that technology is), don't fall prey to the claims. Or have you already? Leave a comment - I'd love to hear from you. If you found this article helpful, please share it!

Probiotic #SkinCare: Miracle Ingredient or Marketing Hype? https://t.co/QBkrKNHFqJ feat @thebeautybrains pic.twitter.com/rbQqtZbayl

— A Girl's Gotta Spa! (@agirlsgottaspa) January 29, 2016

Subscribe to A Girl’s Gotta Spa! beauty blog. Watch our reviews on YouTube, see our pins on Pinterest and check us out on Instagram and G+. Got a Kindle? We’re on Kindle too!

Disclosure: Thanks to RoC® RETINOL CORREXION® Deep Wrinkle Daily Moisturizer With Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 30 I’m getting my skin ready for the holidays as part of a sponsored post for Socialstars #WomenWhoRoC

The holidays are finally here, which seems a bit unreal, especially here in the Poconos where it hasn't had accumulative snow yet, making it still feel like September. (There's something about snow that really gives you that holiday feeling.) As everyone reaches for their camera to capture the season's memories, now is the time to have a winter skin care regimen going in full force. Did you begin back when we began talking about holiday skin prep? Since I know my family will be snapping lots of photos, especially since it is my youngest son's first Christmas, I really want to look my best. And to be honest, I'm super self conscious about those photos going up on Facebook and my friends from high school secretly judging how I'm aging. (Admit it, it's something you think about, too.) In addition to the RoC® Retinol Correxion Deep Wrinkle Night Cream I mentioned using in my last post, I'm also incorporating RoC® RETINOL CORREXION® Deep Wrinkle Daily Moisturizer with Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 30 into my skin care arsenal. The moisturizer contains an exclusive combination of pure retinol and the latest sunscreen technology that is specifically engineered to deliver very broad and photostable UVA and UVB protection with an SPF 30 (which is the minimum SPF you should be using on your skin at all times.) Since exposure to light is known to degrade the effectiveness of retinol, I like that RoC's stablized retinol is kept intact with the addition of broad spectrum sunscreen. Sunscreen should be part of your daily skin care regimen anyway, since what's the point of using anti-aging skin care if you're going to let the sun continue to age you? (Am I right?!) This moisturizer is clinically shown to visibly diminish wrinkles after 8 weeks of use and after 12 weeks of use, even deep wrinkles are visibly diminished. I've only been using it about 4 weeks so far and my wrinkles have definitely softened in their appearance. I especially dislike this one deep set wrinkle I have that is between my eyebrows.  As you can see in the photo, it is still visible, but it's not all in your face. (Do you see what I just did there?) At least not to me. It looks softer and more like a fine line than a wrinkle. The fine lines I do have are less noticeable. Retinol is said to be drying, but I haven't found that to be the case so far. I do have combination skin and I've found that it has a mattifying effect for me. Do I look 41? (You can say no.) I'd love to hear about your experience if you've used this product! Leave a comment! Subscribe to A Girl’s Gotta Spa! beauty blog. Watch our reviews on YouTube, see our pins on Pinterest and check us out on Instagram and G+. Got a Kindle? We’re on Kindle too!

Finding makeup that contains sunscreen, but does not leave my skin looking gray and ashy, has always been a challenge for me. I'm sure it has been a challenge for a lot of women of color, too. I love and want to take care of my skin by making sure that I wear a broad spectrum sunscreen with an spf of at least 20, but I also hate the feel of too much product sitting on my face (especially during the warmer months.) It can be difficult to find makeup that also provides broad spectrum sun protection without making me look like I've put baby powder on my face. Can you relate??? Thanks to Ambi Skincare, which has been providing skincare products for women of color for decades, I  found a product that provides coverage, evens out my skin tone and contains broad spectrum sun protection without leaving my skin looking ashy. The Ambi Even & Clear CC+ Cream is a really light feeling, non-greasy CC cream and the light/medium shade is a perfect match for my skin tone. It gives my skin a soft glow with absolutely no ashy appearance.  The coverage is really light so it's great at making my skin look even-toned and naturally flawless without looking like I'm wearing full coverage makeup. Have you tried it yet? I highly recommend it! Leave a comment! Subscribe to A Girl’s Gotta Spa! beauty blog. Watch our reviews on YouTube, see our pins on Pinterest and check us out on Instagram and G+. Got a Kindle? We’re on Kindle too! Disclosure: press sample, affiliate link

For a long time now, I've been using make-up remover wipes to take off my make-up at night. It's been easy and convenient, but it's not always the best choice for my skin type. I wanted to get back to using a make-up remover that wouldn't cause me to tug on my skin, especially around my eyes, in order to remove make-up, as well as one that would nourish my skin without leaving a greasy feeling behind. I believe I've found that in Herbacin's Two-Phase Make-up Remover. Even better, it's natural and cruelty free. Herbacin Two-Phase Make-up Remover ($36) gently removes make-up while giving your complexion a velvety, clear, radiant, fresh look and feel. When you have combination skin like I do, oftentimes these descriptions are not within reach to describe your skin. And don't be fooled that oily or combination skin does not agree with the use of oils - it all depends on the kind. The inclusion of sweet almond oil prevents skin from feeling stripped and "squeaky-clean" - two things that are known to lead to an overproduction of sebum, while vegetable glycerin and aloe promote hydration. Your skin will not feel like an oil slick or tacky, but instead it will feel soft, hydrated and clean. The scent is also very light and pleasant, although hard to describe. It's neither floral nor fruity. It doesn't linger on your skin either. I found that I really don't need to put much on my Swisspers Cotton Squares, making this product last quite a while. Have you tried it? I'd love to hear your thoughts! Subscribe to A Girl’s Gotta Spa! beauty blog. Watch our reviews on YouTube, see our pins on Pinterest and check us out on Instagram and G+. Got a Kindle? We’re on Kindle too! *Disclosure: press sample

This is a product-provided, sponsored conversation that contains affiliate links. I received the Infiniti Pro by Conair 3Q Styling Tool and the True Glow by Conair Sonic Skincare Solution for my own personal use. All opinions, text and experiences are my own.

It's not really a secret that I have a love affair with Conair hair products. Over the years I have really loved (and religiously used) styling tools from their Infiniti line, and the latest hair dryer, the Infiniti Pro by Conair® 3Q™ Styling Tool, is no different. 3Q™ stands for "Quick, Quiet and Quality," all of the hallmarks of this new brushless motor styling tool. It may not fit into the Q theme, but this dryer is also extremely light weight. I didn't feel like I was giving my biceps a workout while drying my hair. I absolutely adore how much quieter this dryer is - their patent pending noise reduction technology makes it up to 40% quieter (which is a huge plus when you have a large family like I do and don't want to wake anyone early in the a.m. or when you can only squeeze in a shower at 10pm after a long day of work and want to keep your beauties sleeping.) The Infiniti Pro by Conair® 3Q™ Styling Tool has a brushless motor that will last 10x longer - up to 5,000 hours of life vs. 500 hours for an AC motor hair dryer. Something to consider when debating about if the $119.99 pricetag is worth it (I always say you get what you pay for.) What has drawn me to the Conair Infiniti series of styling tools over the years is the ionic and titanium ceramic technology they all have. This styling tool is no different. It promises enhanced shine, up to 75% less frizz and infrared heat to gently dry hair. Additionally with this dryer, the temperature it produces heat at is 70% lower to also minimize heat damage to your hair. I can tell you that I honestly noticed the heat was less, yet due to the faster airflow, my hair was drying quicker. My hair may not be very long, but when you are running a business, are 7 months pregnant and have a gaggle of children to take care of, every minute counts. Having a quality, yet quick beauty routine is something I strive for. Not to mention, that at a few months shy of turning 41, my hair is not like it used to be and heat damage is a big deal and very noticeable. So I appreciate the features of this new hair dryer.

(It's difficult to take a selfie while drying your hair!)

You can purchase the Infiniti Pro by Conair® 3Q™ Styling Tool at the majority of mass retail and drug chain stores. Of course, bringing the salon and spa home wouldn't be complete without a quality skin care tool. I'll be honest, I had no idea that Conair made a sonic cleansing brush, but I had the opportunity to try their True Glow Sonic Skincare Solution ($79.99.) The sonic technology powers of this high-performance cleansing brush are 300 oscillations per second. It includes two brush heads, one for face and one for body. The brushes are firm yet soft, so they aren't abrasive on your skin and gentle enough to use as part of your everyday cleansing regimen (it's also dermatologist tested.) I only used it on the lowest speed (it has 3) and that was just right for my skin without feeling over-exfoliated. I was impressed with how quickly this sonic cleansing brush charged and how simple it was to use. It does beep to indicate that you need to move to another area of your face, but it doesn't pause as you do so. I liked that feature because it meant I could just keep moving the brush around my face continuously. It's pretty much no frills, so if you've never used a sonic brush before, this would be a great tool to start with. Using a cleansing tool like the True Glow is also beneficial when it comes to getting the most out of your serum, toner and moisturizer as it preps the skin for better absorption. Conair #DoItYourSELFIE Photo Sweeps: Beginning Monday, June 8th at 3 p.m. ET until Thursday, July 2nd at 12:00 p.m. ET, share your Conair-inspired hair selfie in the latest round of the #ConairDoItYourSELFIE sweeps! It’s super easy to enter and your selfie might win you the latest in Conair hair styling appliances and gift cards! Five winners will be randomly selected. Bookmark this link so that you can enter on the 8th! http://bit.ly/1EhfNeC This is the picture I'll be submitting of my skin and hair after using the Infiniti Pro by Conair® 3Q™ Styling Tool and True Glow by Conair® True Glow Sonic Skincare Solution. Note this is my hair 2 days after using the 3Q - no dry shampoo needed or anything! I was amazed that the style stayed intact and my hair wasn't even frizzy!

(28 weeks pregnant here!)

Follow Conair on these social channels: http://instagram.com/conair www.pinterest.com/ConairBeauty www.Facebook.com/ConairBeauty http://twitter.com/ConairBeauty Have you used either of these tools from Conair? I'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments! Subscribe to A Girl’s Gotta Spa! beauty blog. Watch our reviews on YouTube, see our pins on Pinterest and check us out on Instagram. Got a Kindle? We’re on Kindle too!

I couldn't have received these products at a better time. With the extremely cold weather and the flu making its rounds at my home, it's left my skin dry, flakey and tight. My usual skin savers weren't doing the trick and my face was starting to look a bit dull. I needed something with some serious hydration and wanted my glow back. The masks I received from Manuka Health provided exactly what I was looking for. All it took was one use for my face to become hydrated again! My skin felt soft and smooth, the few blemishes I was starting to have disappeared overnight. I have found my new addiction and I want everything from this line! Manuka Health is a New Zealand based company whose products are a combination of science and nature. They are committed to being a sustainable business as well as not testing these products on animals, being 100% natural, chemical free and no preservatives. Besides skin care, they also provide products for oral and wound care, among others. The high antioxidant levels in the Manuka Honey nourished and repaired my skin making it revitalized and radiant. The ManukaClear Intensive BB Gel is great for trouble prone skin; it smoothed my skin texture, moisturized and give it a healthy glow. For a more intense hydration and to soothe aggravated or dry skin, the ManukaClear Mask  works wonders! With some hydration masks you get a temporary relief, but after using both of these masks just once, my face still felt hydrated several days later. To get the full effect, I started using the Intensive BB Gel first for a week, every evening. If I felt I needed extra hydration, then I would use the ManukaClear Mask. They work best on a clean face so cleanse and dry your face first before application. I applied a thin layer and used my fingers to spread upwards and outwards. The consistency is like, you guessed it,  honey, and so is the smell. (Didn't taste too bad either!) Keep it on for at least a half hour to an hour; just don't fall asleep or try to blow dry your hair with either mask on. You'll end up with a sticky mess! (Don't ask me how I know.) Pin your hair away from your face or use a headband. Although the masks are sticky and thick, they are easily washed or wiped off with warm water, leaving your face nourished and healthy looking. These masks should be a staple in your beauty routine and for sure during the winter months when the weather can wreak havoc on your skin. Sometimes my skin can be very sensitive, but these masks didn't dry or irritate my skin. Neither masks left my face feeling dry or tight. Both of these masks can be used daily or as needed and can also be used on your hands (with cotton gloves), and I did try the ManukaClear Mask on my feet. I left it on for about an hour while wearing cotton socks and my dry, cracked heels were thanking me! I wish I can use it over my entire body, but that's time I do not have. These are one of the best masks I've used in a long time, they provide long lasting results you can actually see and feel and I can't say enough about them! Manuka Health products can be found on Amazon. Subscribe to A Girl’s Gotta Spa! beauty blog. Watch our reviews on YouTube, see our pins on Pinterest and check us out on Instagram and G+. Got a Kindle? We’re on Kindle too! Disclosure: press samples, affiliate link