I’ve always had a love-hate relationship with winter. While there’s nothing quite like the beauty of snowflakes gently falling or enjoying a crisp, sunny day, the season also comes with its fair share of challenges. Chief among them is the battle against dry, flaky skin.
Medical aesthetician Melissa Croff, who owns Root + Glow spa in Lockport, says the dryness of winter air can result in parched, uncomfortable skin to match.
Add in the strong sun rays sneakily reflecting off from the snow, lack of vitamin D, the harsh winter winds and many people’s propensity to crank the hot water during showers and baths this time of year, and it can feel like your skin is screaming for relief.
“All skin types are affected by colder winter months,” Melissa explains. “The air is drier and it lacks humidity, both in the house and outside in the environment. Humidity is important to keep the skin hydrated. Everyone needs a moisturizer and SPF, but also just to change their skincare accordingly in the winter.”
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For Melissa, the cures to this common complaint mirror her philosophy overall: protecting the skin’s barrier, never causing harm and embracing simplicity for optimal health and hydration.
She launched Root + Glow in 2019, a dream that came to life thanks to the support of her family and guidance from mentors like LA-based celebrity facialist Shani Darden. The final key was the extra den space in her new home, which allows her to offer a spa environment paired with clinical-level care.
“I always knew with my own business I wanted to meet both worlds and create one setting for maximum results: the effectiveness of Western medical technology merged with the Eastern philosophy of a calming environment,” she says.
Melissa has been building this career for over a decade. A part-time receptionist job at the Avenue Hair Studio & Spa in college introduced her to gentle anti-aging methods like red light therapy and lymphatic drainage. From there, she started pursuing her passion for aesthetics, initially enrolling in cosmetology school after graduating from Niagara University with a Bachelor of Arts in English and going on to expand her certifications while fine-tuning her whole-body approach.
LED light therapy is one of the many gentle yet effective treatments Melissa offers clients.
In her treatments at Root + Glow, she layers high-tech tools like her beloved LightStim ProPanel LED light therapy device with clinically proven skincare line IS Clinical and adds elements of breath work and massage. The goal? Complete skin rejuvenation.
While media trends often push harsh chemical treatments and elaborate 10-step skincare routines, Melissa is steadfast in her whole-body approach.
“The skin is an organ, and it functions that way. When something’s off in the gut—because the gut and the skin are directly related—it’s going to show up in the skin,” Melissa says.
“Understanding how a client’s diet, lifestyle and environment play a role in their skin health, we decide together what facial to do, and it’s completely customizable,” she says. “I usually prescribe a simple skincare routine: how to apply it, what order. Then I go into nutrition—maybe reducing sugar, adding vitamins or supplements—to treat the body in a whole way.”
Radiant winter skin 101
Keep your skin hydrated and glowing this winter with Melissa’s essential tips.
Sunscreen: Use SPF 30+ daily.
Supplements: Add vitamins D, K, and Omega-3s.
Facials: Winter is perfect for rejuvenating treatments.
Hydration: Drink water and green tea and use a hydrating serum.
Gentle cleansing: Avoid harsh, drying cleansers.
Exfoliation: Use a chemical exfoliant weekly.
Lukewarm water: Skip hot water to prevent redness.
Humidifier: Run one at night to combat dryness.
Hand care: Apply a thick cream to keep them soft.
Lip care: Use a hydrating mask regularly.
