From chunky knits and fireplaces to weekend soup-making marathons and Winter wardrobe retail therapy, there’s a lot to love about our coldest season but while it’s good to us in a number of ways, it’s not always good to our skin.
Lower temperatures go hand in hand with lower moisture levels, which doesn’t do our complexion any favours. So, if you struggle with dry-feeling, dull-looking skin – particularly during hot chocolate season – here’s a Winter ‘What to wear’ for your skin to ditch the ‘dull’, counteract the ‘dry’ and put your best face forward, whatever the weather.
See the difference with Ceramides
One way to protect your skin from dryness, irritation and itchiness is to make sure that Ceramides are included in your skincare regime. Ceramides are waxy lipids that hold onto moisture within your skin, forming a protective barrier in the process. Think of Ceramides as the building blocks in your skin.
While your skin produces Ceramides naturally, ‘enthusiastic’ makeup removal and environmental factors, like aircon and heaters, can undo your skin’s good Ceramide-producing work. To give these ‘building blocks’ the TLC and support needed in the face of the latest cold front, when scanning the ingredients list of the skincare products on your wish list look for Ceramide NP, AP, EOP, NG, NP, NS, as well as phytosphingosine and sphingosine.
Restore moisture easily with vitamin E
Available for topical use as an oil and/or a cream, Vitamin E is added to all sorts of cosmetic and skincare products, from anti-ageing creams and eye serums to makeup and sunscreens. It’s a natural moisturiser (with antioxidant and healing properties) that’s easily absorbed into the skin, making it a must-have ingredient in your skincare regime to soften, soothe and shield the skin while replenishing lost moisture. Add to its impressive list of accomplishments the fact that it fights free radicals too, and It’s clear to see why it’s an everyday ‘basic’ for your skin’s winter ‘wardrobe’.
You’ve probably heard of HA but how about PHA?
If you read all about HA (Hyaluronic Acid) in our last newsletter you’ve probably already added this hydration superhero to your skin-savvy bathroom cabinet and are feeling (and seeing) the benefits. If this is the case, you’ve got your Masters in moisture, now it’s time to get your PhD in moisture by adding Poly Hydroxy Acids (PHA) to the mix. What is PHA? Well, PHAs are a type of hydroxy (or fruit) acid that, when included in Winter-proof skincare products, helps to reduce the appearance of wrinkles and reverse sun damage while toning and hydrating the skin. Three words: Add to cart.
Put a pep(tide) in your skincare steps
Peptides are, simply put, the foundations of your skin – responsible for your skin’s texture, strength and ability to defend itself against environmental ‘threats’ and ‘bounce back’. Well-loved and respected among skincare professionals for their skin-firming, collagen-stimulating properties, peptides keep our skin intact and “intact” skin is firmer skin. The presence of healthy, happy peptides means skin with more bounce and less wrinkles. And, the more resilient our skin, the better equipped it is to bounce back from whatever the Winter months throw at it.
TIP: The best time to apply a peptide serum is after an exfoliating toner and before face oils or moisturisers to allow the serum to reach the area it needs to without resistance from physical barriers courtesy of thicker formulations.
Warming up to the idea of Ceramides, Vitamin E, HAs, PHAs and peptides?
At Skin Renewal we stock a wide range of Winter-friendly products – from serums to supplements – to help you love the skin you’re in as much as you love the new Winter fashion must-haves that are “in” this year. Visit our Online Skin Shop to take a look at which products contain Ceramide, Vitamin E, HA, PHAs and peptides, or chat to your Skin Renewal therapist the next time you pop into one of our 18 branches nationwide.