Rejuvenate your dull winter skin.
One of the most common skin complaints we see in winter is dry, dull and often red, skin.
Blustery cold weather, low humidity and a tendency for turning up the indoor heating and taking steaming showers, can all lead to the dreaded ‘winter skin’.
Winter ravaged skin can feel uncomfortable and appear lack lustre, but did you know that the dryness and dullness brought on by the cooler months can also lead to increased skin sensitivity and premature ageing by accentuating pre-existing wrinkles?
Don’t despair! There are solutions.
Here is an easy Thrive Guide for rejuvenating dry winter skin…
Winter Skin Thrive Guide Tip #1
HYDRATE
The winter months are notorious for dehydrating skin.
Replenish skin’s moisture levels by drinking 2 litres of water a day and limiting diuretics such as coffee, tea and alcohol.
Hot water with a slice of fresh lemon is a great alternative to tea and coffee, as it promotes hydration and has the added benefit of skin nourishing Vitamin C, a key antioxidant responsible for protecting cells from damaging free radicals.
Running a humidifier can also assist with skin dryness by increasing environmental humidity and replenishing skin’s hydration levels. Humidifiers help to balance out the dry, hot air from heating devices and are a wonderful way to add moisture to your home or work environment.
Winter Skin Thrive Guide Tip #2
FEED YOUR SKIN
Nourishing your skin from the inside out, is a key component of an effective skincare routine, as the saying goes; you are what you eat!
We recommend ensuring your winter, dietary intake includes an adequate amount of omega 3 fatty acids. Skin’s physiological health and appearance is greatly reliant on our bodies’ omega 3 fatty acid levels. Omega 3 encourages healthy skin barrier function, reduces inflammation and skin dryness.
Fish and flax seed oils contain high levels of omega 3 fatty acids. Eating fish 3 times a week, a handful of walnuts a day, or consuming a high quality, evidence based omega 3 daily supplement, can protect and rejuvenate the appearance of dry, dull winter skin.
Winter Skin Thrive Guide Tip #3
EXFOLIATE
The outer layer of our skin is called the stratum corneum. It is composed of dead skin cells (corneocytes) which provide a protective layer, trapping water in and keeping environmental allergens out. These skin cells are shed approximately every 20- 40 days, however, as we age this process stalls leaving skin looking thick, dull and ultimately older.
This is where exfoliation comes into play.
Exfoliation assists with the shedding of dead skin cells from our stratum corneum and with dead skin cells continuously accumulating; exfoliation is a MUST in order to reveal new, vibrant skin which lies hidden underneath.
Now... by exfoliating we do not mean using the apricot facial scrub from your local supermarket! Inferior exfoliating products and techniques can lead to further skin problems, in particular red and sensitive skin. By exfoliation, we mean a professional, exfoliating treatment.
At Thrive Skin Clinic we cannot rave enough about the fabulous Hydrafacial. The Hydrafacial is a 3 step facial treatment, completed in less than 30 minutes, providing effective exfoliation and deep hydration to improve skin tone, texture and overall health.
The Hydrafacial consists of:
A gentle yet effective exfoliating peel
Mechanical extraction of congested pores
Application of a hydrating serum
We advise a monthly Hydrafacial to improve not only your stratum corneum health and appearance, but the effectiveness of your at home, skincare routine and products.
Winter Skin Thrive Guide #4
SUNSCREEN
Yes - you still need to protect your skin with a high quality SPF cream in winter.
Granted, ultraviolet radiation is not as intense in winter as it is during the summer months, but even winter rays can have an aggressive and damaging effect on skin.
We love Uberzinc from Synergie Skin, which provides moisture as well as sun protection. This lush, hydrating moisturiser provides you with over 20% of pure, Zinc Oxide to protect from harmful UVA and UVB rays. Packed with skin loving antioxidants this luxurious cream protects from ongoing environmental damage and packs a daily moisture surge. It’s our biggest Synergie skincare seller both in-store and online.
Winter Skin Thrive Guide #5
HOME CARE
Your at home, skincare routine matters!
In addition to hydration, dry winter skin requires natural oils to regulate its’ protective barrier function and help lock in moisture. Choosing high quality, evidence based products which aid your skin in its repair, renewal and protection process is paramount.
We are huge fans of Synergie Skin, and have their products stocked religiously on our clinic shelves. Organic & cruelty free, this advanced cosmeceutical range can only be accessed by Doctors and as owner and Medical Director, I have personally selected this evidence based range, enabling Thrive Skin Clinic clients to extend the results of treatments such as Hydrafacials, cosmetic injectables, luxe medifacials and laser related treatments.
We love Synergie’s serums and moisturisers and recommend those with Vitamin B (Niacinamide) which has been shown to increase skin’s natural oil levels.
During the winter months we advise adding an extra moisturiser to your skincare routine. Personally, I complete my winter at home, skincare routine with my night serum and Synergie Reclaim moisturiser. For those with thick, dry skin, I’d recommend Synergie’s Potent C as an ideal moisturiser.
Winter Skin Thrive Guide #6
PROFESSIONAL TREATMENTS
You seek professional help for so many areas and ailments in your life, so why not do the same for your skin? After all, it’s your largest organ and you wear it 24 hours a day!
At Thrive Skin Clinic, we believe it’s only natural to keep skin looking and feeling its best with help from experienced professionals.
In addition to the Hydrafacial, we offer advanced skin and dermatology treatments to revive dry, dull winter skin. Some of our favourites winter skin savers include:
Professional micro-needling treatments
Resurfacing laser treatments