Our so-called “shield” of armour, this stratum corneum, is made from about 10-15 micrometres of dead-cell skin. Studies show these outermost layers are essential in keeping natural moisture inside the skin.
But the outside air is drier when the humidity drops and winter chill creeps in. Then, making matters worse, we use radiators and heaters to stay warm inside, drying out those environments, too. Our stratum corneum “shield” dries out, opening the skin’s natural barrier.
When the stratum corneum gets damaged, natural moisture “leaks out” of the top layers of our skin. “That’s when we start getting itchy, scratchable skin, making matters even worse. And so, the vicious cycle begins.
It’s time to bulk up with a heftier hydrator. We recommend a heavy cream such as our Comfort + face cream, made with ceramides, which are the essential and healthy fatty acids that occur naturally in the skin but must be replenished during the colder months. And remember to apply it morning and night.
Once you turn on the central heating, your daily moisturizer may not be enough to combat dehydrated skin. Come winter, you may find that a serum is exactly what your skin is craving.
Serums such as our Recovery Face Serum contain smaller molecules than moisturizers, so their moisture-boosting properties can penetrate deeper into the skin. Choose one with active vitamins and minerals to tackle ageing, dullness and dryness.
After you’ve cleansed your skin, apply some serum and watch your face regain a healthy-looking glow. Introducing serums between cleansing and moisturizing is highly beneficial because they contain active ingredients like collagen, antioxidants, nutrients, and vitamins that replenish hydration and plump up your skin.
We get it. There’s nothing more comforting than starting (or ending) the day with a long, hot shower. But while it may feel good at the moment, those long and super-hot showers aren’t doing your skin (or your hair, for that matter) any favours. The scalding water is harsh on your skin, and despite what you may think, the water is not adding any moisture to your skin but instead repelling necessary natural oils.
Swap that, try this: give your skin a break and limit your hot-shower time using gentle moisture-rich cleansing products. Remember to pat dry with your towel afterwards – harsh rubbing can irritate your skin.
Invest in a humidifier. Central heating is sadly a necessity in autumn. While it keeps us toasty and warm, it could be causing chaos for our skin. The dry heat of home and workplace central heating can wreak havoc on skin barrier function. So, a humidifier is an excellent way of adding moisture to the air.
In addition to changing your skincare rituals to better address your skin’s needs, don’t forget to drink plenty of water and eat a well-balanced diet all year round. Early fall requires focusing on repairing your skin from the damaging effects of summer sun and heat. Regardless of the season, the skin (like the body) constantly adapts to internal and external changes.
It’s essential to be attentive to your skin to recognize when it’s not getting what it needs. Tightness, dryness, increased breakout activity, and sensitivity are all signs that your current skincare routine isn’t working and a change is in order.
You always want to work with Mother Nature and never against her. So, when skin problems arise, ensure you’re using products formulated to address your specific needs! You can always schedule a consultation with a trusted skincare professional for guidance.
We can jump right into things: Yes, wearing sunscreen in the winter is necessary. While you likely associate the sun’s damaging rays with having them beat down on you and feeling the heat on your skin, the sun comes out even when it’s cold.
Beyond that, the sun can also damage your skin when it’s cloudy. According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, UVA rays can penetrate through clouds. They also can reach your skin through glass, so don’t assume you’re protected solely by avoiding outdoor winter activities.
Regarding the outdoors, UVB rays will be more damaging if you’re around ice or snow. The UV light can be reflected and hit your skin twice. That’s the potential for double the damage the UV rays otherwise can leave.
THAT’S IT! NOW, YOU’RE READY FOR WINTER. IF YOU KNOW YOU HAVE EXTREMELY OILY OR DRAMATICALLY DRY SKIN, CHOOSE YOUR MUST-HAVES WITH CARE, AS NOT EVERY PRODUCT SUITS EVERYONE’S UNIQUE SKIN TYPE. FOR THE MOST PART, THOUGH, THE ABOVE CRASH COURSE IN AUTUMNAL SKINCARE SHOULD HAVE YOU LIVING YOUR BEST, MOST HYDRATED, RADIANT LIFE.
Who doesn’t love the feel of those first rays of sunshine after (finally!) packing away our winter knits? Although, when summer sets in, so too does the heat, UV rays, and air conditioning, which can all make our skin feel extra sensitive.
It’s not all doom and gloom, there are ways to manage how skin feels when things start to hot up…
Male skin – on both the face and the body – has some features that differ from female skin and, with regular shaving, it is often treated differently too.
Because of this, men benefit from a tailored approach to skincare to help keep their skin at its natural best…