Although the Australian winter isn’t as cold and wet as it can be in other parts of the world, seasonal weather changes, as well as the effects of less time spent outdoors, can cause skin to become dry, lack-lustre and dull. Follow our six essential tips to keep your skin in top condition during the cooler months.
1. Skin hydration is absolutely vital
One of the absolute musts of winter skincare is ensuring skin remains hydrated. Centrally heated environments, or time spent in harsh weather, can dehydrate the skin, causing it to appear flaky and dull. Wrinkles may also become more pronounced and the skin appears less plump and smooth than usual. The answer involves both internal and external measures: ensuring you drink enough water and eat a balanced diet helps to boost skin hydration from the inside; for external hydration, use a water-attracting day cream that contains ingredients such as hyaluronic acid.
2. Don’t forget your sunscreen
It’s no big surprise that the sun damages skin. What may be less obvious is that the sun is still capable of inflicting damage even when the temperature falls during the winter. Always remember to apply sunscreen before leaving the house and cover up during the hottest part of the day. Many sunscreens contain additional beneficial ingredients which can help to improve skin conditions, so it’s worth taking a look at the various options out there.
3. Take the opportunity to exfoliate
Although winter is a time when we tend to wrap up more, that’s no reason to stop exfoliating! Taking the time to remove dead skin cells on the face and body not only increases blood flow to the skin (speeding up the removal of toxins and promoting cell renewal and regeneration), it can also reduce the appearance of blemishes and lead to fresher, clearer skin. Facial skin requires a gentler exfoliator than body skin: preparations containing glycolic acid and/or salicylic acid have been shown to be particularly effective.
4. Consider a professional skincare treatment
Chemical peels, dermabrasion or laser treatment can all make a significant difference to the appearance of your skin. With winter being the time of year when skin can often become over-stressed, it’s also the perfect season to enjoy a professional skincare procedure. Minimally invasive, a cosmetic procedure can give your skin’s appearance a noticeable boost, as well as potentially stimulate the body’s natural cell renewal and healing processes.
5. Take control of unwanted facial and body hair
Unwanted hair is a major problem which can make people’s lives a misery. Why not take advantage of the winter months to try a laser hair removal treatment? After electrolysis (which is only suitable for very small areas of the body), laser hair removal is the most long-lasting hair removal treatment out there. One of the major advantages of laser removal is that when regrowth does occur, the hairs are much sparser and lighter than they were previously. If you want to get your body beach-ready for when the warmer weather comes around again, a longer-term hair removal option could be a good investment.
6. Give your winter skincare product regime a makeover
You will probably find that you need richer, more nourishing skincare products during the cooler months. Re-vamp your skincare routine to include products that are proven to hydrate and protect in order to ensure your skin stays in peak condition.
Coupled with a healthy lifestyle, the right skin care choices can really make a difference to your appearance and skin health during the cooler time of year. Follow our suggestions or get in touch with us here at The Derm Lab, to ensure your skin looks its best, no matter what the winter may bring.
