Biafine, otherwise known as Trolamine, is one of the most basic staples that can be found in any French, German or Israeli pharmacy. Yasmine Djerradine, skin care authority and Travel Beauty expert recommended it to me to help prevent scarring when I had surgery 16 years ago. It is a multi-tasking wonder ointment that soothes redness, irritation, inflammation and sunburns.

In Europe Biafine is mostly used to prevent and soothe diaper rash in infants, but this topical wonder offers so much more. Over the years I have incorporated Biafine into my daily regimen.

Cure for Chapped Lips

I have excruciatingly dry lips. My husband often scolds me for biting them. The truth is I don’t, my lips are just so chapped that it appears as though I do. The Fall is the worst, as the cold, dry air starts to creep in pulling a double shift. I layer Biafine under my lip gloss or lipstick for an extra boost of moisture. It coats, smoothes and soothes lips sealing in a barrier between the lips and the outside world. In my experience products like Eucerin, Vaseline and Blistex seem to suck the moisture right out of my lips.

Apply Biafine before bed too. Skin repairs itself overnight when we are sleeping; the same is true for the skin on our lips. Biafine gives your lips the extra lift they need.

Body Care

Body oil is my body care product of choice, especially in colder months. Right now I’m using Mio Skincare The Activist Firming Active Body Oil. It’s rich and smells divine (and I am not a fan of scents.) Even if you apply body oil to damp skin, mixing body oil with a creamy agent helps it to penetrate the skin more deeply and dilute the oily texture of many rich body oils. Biafine comes in handy as I am usually in a rush and don’t have time to wait for body oil to dry before pulling on a pair of trousers or jeans. Biafine cuts just enough of the oily texture without being too creamy and because it’s scent free, it won’t interfere with the scent of your favorite body oil.

Soothing Rosacea

I am not a dermatologist, doctor or skin care expert by way of formal education and there is currently no cure for rosacea. That said, in many cases, Biafine has been able to help lessen the symptoms of this skin condition. Though food intake and stress are some of the factors that contribute to rosacea, the bottom line is that it causes red, reactive and in some cases inflamed skin. While using gentle skin care for sensitive, reactive skin, like Cosmetics 27 Baume 27 or Sapelo Skin Care Rejuvenating Cream, that soothe and cool is essential, layering a thin layer of Biafine under these types of moisturizers adds an extra cool and calming layer of care that, much like in the case of chapped lips, provides a buffer between irritated skin and your moisturizer. On more severe days when skin is particularly reactive, Biafine can be used alone. Please note that everyone is different so before applying Biafine on your entire face, conduct a small patch test.

After Dermatological Peels and Treatments

Though I am not a proponent of chemical peels (many are purported to cause harmful chemicals to seep into the bloodstream and dehydrate skin, stripping it of many essential nutrients) many people swear them. Biafine aids in soothing the dry, seemingly sunburned shape that you will find your skin in immediately following these treatments.

Biafine to Treat Radio Dermatitis

Biafine is often prescribed to cancer patients or others receiving radiation treatment. The anti-inflammatory and moisturizing properties of Biafine help bring down the inflammation and treat burned and painful irritation that can be caused by these treatments.

Biafine to Treat Cuts and Sunburn

Biafine can also be used as a wound dressing to heal minor cuts. It provides moisture to aid the skin in the healing process while protecting it from bacterial contamination. Biafine can also be applied directly to sunburns to soothe and lessen inflammation. As opposed to aloe-based sunburn ointments and gels, Biafine seeps into the skin quickly and doesn’t leave a wet gelatinous texture sitting on the surface of the skin.

By: Alyssa Barrie Weiss, Twitter: @AlyssaBarrie

Social media has helped focus a lot of attention on the lips these days, “the Kylie Jenner Effect”. Yes, these days we can easily inject filler in the office to make your lips more plump and kissable with little down time and minimal discomfort, but what’s the use if you don’t take care of what your mama gave you?

More than lip service

If I’m being honest, I probably remember sun protection for my lips 50% of the time when I plan for a beach day, and 0% of the time on a normal work day. This is not enough, and I know better. The skin over your lips is extremely thin and sensitive and requires extra attention to keep your pout sultry and healthy. Everyone knows about using SPF for their face and body, but ultraviolet radiation from the sun can really add up in the delicate skin over the lip leading to both aesthetic and medical problems.

How does sun exposure affect my lips?

Cosmetically, ultraviolet exposure can affect collagen production in the lips over time, and repeat exposure can lead to thinning of the lips and those vertical lines around the lips known as “smokers’ lines” (how ‘80s!). A chronic dry, cracked tender lip (the lower lip more commonly than the upper lip) can mean that you’ve developed “actinic cheilitis”, which, aside from not being pretty, is a precancerous condition that can develop into squamous cell cancer of the lips (yikes!). Other types of lip can cancer can develop too, including basal cell cancer. Those who have fairer skin, blond hair, blue eyes, or a history of skin cancers are most at risk, though we must all be vigilant.

Some great products to protect your lips all year long

Lips need extra loving in both the summer sun, and harsh winter air.  B. Kamins Laboratories Lip Balm SPF 20 UVA/UVB sunscreen helps prevent sun damage, including unsightly and uncomfortable lip sore breakouts and also helps to repair dry, chapped, sore lips once the damage is done.

Yu-Be Moisturizing Skin Cream – this versatile cream from Japan can be used on both the lips and the body to help lighten your beauty regimen load. The rich balm is enriched with vitamin E, vitamin B2, and camphor, but without sulfates, synthetic fragrances, synthetic dyes, petrochemicals or phthalates, so it’s suitable for even the most sensitive, and allergic.

With winter just around the corner we asked Tomoko Takeda Canel, editorial beauty editor who has most recently served as a senior beauty editor at People StyleWatch and Seventeen Magazines, for her top winter skin care tips.

Ditch Your Bubbly Cleanser

Your go-to foamy wash is fine during the summer, but once it gets nippy, anything that lathers can strip skin of its natural oils. So switch to a soap-free, creamy wash or a cleansing balm like Emma Hardie Moringa Cleansing Balm. It degunks and removes makeup like a dream.

Supercharge Your Moisturizer

Generally speaking, the thicker the formula, the more hydrating it is. But it’s important to look at the ingredients too. Usually the best ones have one or more of the following: glycerin, hyaluronic acid and ceramides. For AM, I like CeraVe AM Facial Moisturizing Lotion because it has SPF 30 and works well under makeup. For PM, my skin drinks up Philosophy Back to Nurture Replenishing Moisture Creme.

Exfoliate—But Don’t Go Crazy

If you don’t buff away that top layer of dead skin, all that good stuff in your moisturizer won’t absorb well. But if you overdo it, it can have the opposite effect, leaving your face dry, tight and irritated. So the key is to pick a gentle scrub like Yu-Be Foaming Skin Polish and just use it whenever your skin looks blah—once or twice a week, tops.

Bathe Strategically

You don’t need me to remind you that long, hot showers are a big, dehydrating no-no. But did you know that you don’t need to wash your entire body every single day? Just clean the areas that really need it (underarms, private parts), and let the runoff lather take care of the rest. It might sound icky, but that way your arms and legs won’t dry out as much. Lavido Intoxicating Body Wash is ideal for winter – just enough suds but extremely mild. Its spa-like scent is the perfect pick-me up on cold winter days.

Follow The 3-Minute Rule

So you just got out of the shower. Now pat skin dry and apply a moisturizer while your skin’s still damp. Dermatologists say you have three minutes to lock in maximum hydration. But have you tried that? The moisturizer can get all goopy and take forever to absorb! So that’s why I’m loving Jergens Wet Skin Moisturizer with Calming Green Tea Oil. It’s meant to go on wet skin, so it goes on evenly and sinks in fast.

Stash Lip Balm Everywhere

It’s all about having one when you need it, so keep one on your nightstand, in every purse, your office, car, winter coat pockets…you get the idea. Pick something thick that comes in a pot or tube. Derms swear by Aquaphor.

Don’t Forget Your Tootsies

Nothing says let’s cuddle like dry, calloused feet, right? A rich foot cream is obviously a good idea, but don’t forget to exfoliate beforehand. I’ve been really into foot peels—have you heard about these? (One to try: Baby Foot) They’re plastic booties that you wear for 90 minutes, then rinse. Several days later, your calluses starts to shed off slowly in sheets (gross, but so satisfying!).

By: Tomoko Takeda Canel, Instagram: @mlletomoko

Biafine, otherwise known as Trolamine, is one of the most basic staples that can be found in any French, German or Israeli pharmacy. Yasmine Djerradine, skin care authority and Travel Beauty expert recommended it to me to help prevent scarring when I had surgery 15 years ago. It is a multi-tasking wonder ointment that soothes redness, irritation, inflammation and sunburns.

In Europe Biafine is mostly used to prevent and soothe diaper rash in infants, but this topical wonder offers so much more. Over the years I have incorporated Biafine into my daily regimen.

Cure for Chapped Lips

I have excruciatingly dry lips. My husband often scolds me for biting them. The truth is I don’t, my lips are just so chapped that it appears as though I do. The winter is the worst, as the cold dry air seems to be pulling a double shift. I layer Biafine under my lip gloss or lipstick for an extra boost of moisture. It coats, smoothes and soothes lips sealing in a barrier between the lips and the outside world. In my experience products like Eucerin, Vaseline and Blistex seem to suck the moisture right out of my lips.

Apply Biafine before bed too. Skin repairs itself overnight when we are sleeping; the same is true for the skin on our lips. Biafine gives your lips the extra lift they need.

Body Care

Body oil is my body care product of choice, especially in colder months. Right now I’m using Mio Skincare The Activist Firming Active Body Oil. It’s rich and smells divine (and I am not a fan of scents.) Even if you apply body oil to damp skin mixing body oil with a creamy agent helps it to penetrate the skin more deeply and dilute the oily texture of many rich body oils. In other words, many of us are in a rush and don’t have time to wait for body oil to dry (now we are not talking oil slick here, but even body oils that go on almost dry can leave an initial damp residue on the skin) before pulling on a pair of trousers or jeans. Biafine cuts just enough of the oily texture without being too creamy and because it’s scent free, it won’t interfere with the scent of your favorite body oil.

Soothing Rosacea

I am not a dermatologist, doctor or skin care expert by way of formal education and there is currently no cure for rosacea. That said, in many cases, Biafine has been able to help lessen the symptoms of this skin condition. Though food intake and stress are some of the factors that contribute to rosacea, the bottom line is that it causes red, reactive and in some cases inflamed skin. While using gentle skin care for sensitive, reactive skin, like Cosmetics 27 Baume 27 or B. Kamins Laboratories Nutrient Replacement Cream Kx, that soothe and cool is essential, layering a thin layer of Biafine under these types of moisturizers adds an extra cool and calming layer of care that, much like in the case of chapped lips, provides a buffer between irritated skin and your moisturizer. On more severe days when skin is particularly reactive, Biafine can be used alone. Please note that everyone is different so before applying Biafine on your entire face, conduct a small patch test.

After Dermatological Peels and Treatments

Though I am not a proponent of chemical peels (many are purported to cause harmful chemicals to seep into the bloodstream and dehydrate skin, stripping it of many essential nutrients) many people swear them. Biafine aids in soothing the dry, seemingly sunburned shape that you will find your skin in immediately following these treatments.

Biafine to Treat Radio Dermatitis

Biafine is often prescribed to cancer patients or others receiving radiation treatment. The anti-inflammatory and moisturizing properties of Biafine help bring down the inflammation and treat burned and painful irritation that can be caused by these treatments.

Biafine to Treat Cuts and Sunburn

Biafine can also be used as a wound dressing to heal minor cuts. It provides moisture to aid the skin in the healing process while protecting it from bacterial contamination. Biafine can also be applied directly to sunburns to soothe and lessen inflammation. As opposed to aloe-based sunburn ointments and gels, Biafine seeps into the skin quickly and doesn’t leave a wet gelatinous texture sitting on the surface of the skin.

By: Alyssa Barrie Weiss, Twitter: @AlyssaBarrie