You Spring-clean your house - so think about doing the same for yourself! Winter can play havoc with skin, so it's a good time to take some basic and easy steps to give your skin a refresh for the warmer months ahead.
1. Rehydrate skin
Winter can leave skin feeling parched, flaky and in need of serious hydration. Increase your skin’s hydration levels by using a moisturiser rich in nutrients such as Vitamin E and Omega-3 rich oils (such as chia) which are deeply nourishing.
2. Eat seasonal super foods
Visit your local farmers’ market and pick up some in season greenery. Spring and summer vegetables provide some of the highest levels of vitamin K, iron and phyto-nutrients that ward off wrinkles and chronic diseases and help to maintain skin’s clarity.
Some anti-inflammatory best bets include asparagus, arugula, fava beans, lettuce, spinach, radishes, and artichokes. Asparagus in particular is an excellent source of the ‘master antioxidant’ glutathione, which naturally diminishes as we age, but can be slowed through diet.
3. Go for a deeper clean
Warmer weather can mean more sunscreen and more makeup with SPF. This is the time to focus an additional minute or two on cleansing to reveal brighter, cleaner skin. Properly cleansed skin will mean better results from the products you use daily.
Simply massage your cleanser in upward circular motions, especially focusing on any congested, black head prone areas in smaller circular motions.
4. Invest in the right SPF
While the active ingredients of sun screens can vary, they are divided into two groups based upon how they protect skin, either via chemical or physical agents. Chemical sunscreens work by absorbing the energy of UV radiation before it affects your skin, whereas physical sunscreens reflect or scatter UV radiation before it reaches your skin. I recommend avoiding chemical sunscreens- especially if you tend to have sensitive or reactive skin.
Look for a non-chemical, broad-spectrum UVA/UVB formulation for the most complete sun protection.
5. Try a toner
Warmer weather can mean more “shine” than glow for oily or combination complexions. To avoid breakouts and control excess oil production in warmer months, try incorporating a toner made with Alpha Lipoic Acid, DMAE and/or salicylic acid into your skincare regimen.
Toners can be applied with finger tips or a cotton pad and wiped over the skin to remove any excess oil, cleanser residue or even minute traces of makeup, dirt or dust.
6. Don’t neglect the décolleté
We reveal more skin during Spring and Summer, which exposes the delicate décolletage area. Keep skin well hydrated and protected to prevent signs of redness, crepe-like lines and slackening skin caused by sun damage.
Try to avoid V-necks on the sunniest days and look for a product formulated to reduce appearance of deep lines on the neck.
7. Exfoliate smarter
Exfoliation is a good thing, as long as it’s done right. Avoid using harsh, scratchy scrubs that can actually cause skin to thin over time, potentially causing micro-tears, redness and irritation.
Use a retinol or enzyme based treatment to gently dissolve dead skin and reveal a brighter, more radiant complexion.
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