There is no doubt that the colder months can be extra tough on our skin. From the arctic-like winds to blisteringly cold temperatures to arctic-like winds, winter’s aggressors are notorious for wreaking havoc on even the toughest and most robust skin types.
Winter’s doesn’t discriminate – no matter your skin type you are likely to succumb to one or more of the following: whether it be dehydration or redness, dry or flakey patches, a lack of circulation, rough texture or itchy skin or an increase in fine lines, winter’s extreme conditions can inflict a whole host of unwanted skin concerns.
The colder weather can also cause our skin to look dull and lifeless – likely the effects of our skin lacking in either hydration or exfoliation (two things our skin cannot survive without!).
Although our bodies do both naturally to a point, it’s crucial these remain a priority throughout the colder months in order to keep your skin looking its very best. By ensuring your skin stays sufficiently hydrated AND exfoliated throughout the chillier weather, then it will have a much smoother ride throughout the colder months.
Hydration baby!
The harsh elements and chilly weather mean our bodies have a much harder time keeping hydrated and regulated throughout winter and it’s more difficult for our skin to retain moisture – causing our skin to dry out much faster. Going from one extreme condition to another i.e. the toasty warmth of our homes and workplaces straight into the barren, chilly temperatures outside can result in our skin becoming dehydrated, oftentimes becoming more sensitive and dry as a result.
Packing your skincare with super hydrating ingredients such hyaluronic acid, ceramides and squalene can help to counter these effects and combat dry skin. Incorporating foods into your daily diet that are naturally rich in essential fatty acids such as avocado, fish and nuts can also help mitigate and prevent potential dryness. The oils contained in these foods can help to keep your skin barrier moisturised and hydrated throughout the colder weather.
Exfoliation please
If there was ever a time for some exfoliation, it is without a doubt winter. Although important all year round – exfoliation is VITAL for your skin when the temperature dips. The combination of indoor heating and those biting winds and freezing temperatures mean our skin gets dry….think: Sahara-desert dry.
Not only will regular exfoliation get rid of rid of any dry flakey bits of skin it will also remove any excess grime or dirt build up not removed by your cleanser as well as speeding up cellular turnover, (which can help give skin back it’s glow) – it will also pave the way for all those hydrating skincare products you put on afterwards.
Chemical exfoliants such as Polyhydroxy acids, (PHA for short) and AHAs otherwise known as Alpha Hydroxy Acids (such as Lactic and Glycolic acids) all make brilliant exfoliators and readily available in exfoliating toners and or treatments. The added bonus of these ingredients is that whilst being exfoliants, they are also humectants, which means that they help to draw in much needed moisture to our skin, boosting hydration levels to help combat Winter’s external aggressors.
Whilst manual scrubs are great for sloughing off dead cells on your body – skip the manual exfoliation when it comes to your face as they can cause microscopic tears and lead to inflammation and instead stick to chemical exfoliants.
Most importantly – make sure you are always taking note of your skin needs. Whilst exfoliation is great – over exfoliation is not. Once you discover the perks, it can be very easy to overdo it when chasing that “glow”. Sometimes more is not better, so avoid over exfoliating and keep it to 2-3 times a week. If just starting out, stick to a milder form such as Lactic acid whilst your skin builds up a tolerance.
The big guns
Ok so aside from regularly exfoliating your skin at home – if you really want the ultimate glass-skin look (think juicy, glowing, luminous-looking skin) then you need invest in a professional Hydrodermabrasion treatment. The younger, cooler sister version to microdermabrasion, Hydrodermabrasion is the essentially the same exfoliation treatment but with the added bonus of hydration, making it the perfect treatment to indulge in during winter.
Hydrodermabrasion is suitable for all skin types – even the most sensitive. And the best part? It can be tailored towards your specific skin needs, making it the ideal treatment to help deal with all the pesky skin ailments winter has thrown at you. Parched, thirsty, dehydrated skin? No problem. Dry, flakey skin? Sorted. Dull skin in need of a serious glow up? Not any more! Treatments with Hydro dermabrasion machines treatments have you covered.
Not only do they tick all these boxes and more, regular treatments can also assist with unwanted pigmentation such as sun-damage, reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and can also be extremely effective at improving the appearance of congested, acne-prone skin by clearing out clogged pores and helping to eliminate blackheads.
Treatments with hydrodermabrasion machines deliver immediate visible results, whilst also providing long term benefits to the health of your skin. Not only do they remove surface gunk and build up whilst replenishing the skin with much needed moisture, Hydrodermabrasion also triggers the bodies cellular turnover, boosting circulation and encouraging collagen production.
During the process, a diamond tip or crystalised applicator is used to buff away the top layer of surface skin whilst a gentle vacuum draws impurities out from your pores, sucking up everything from dead skin cells, dirt, excess sebaceous oil and product build-up. At the same time, your skin is being gently infused with a cocktail of hydrating ingredients targeted towards your individual skin requirements.
With no downtime, Hydrodermabrasion is the perfect in-out lunchtime treatment for busy people as the service only takes 30-40 mins. You could easily pop out on your lunchbreak and then return to work with fabulously glowing skin!
The after-effects of this treatment are accumulative too – so you can expect your skin to look better and better as the days progress. Be warned, though – these treatments are extremely additive as they are seriously glow-worthy and leave you with the smoothest skin you can imagine!
To learn more about Hydrodermabrasion, microdermabrasion machines, or to find a treatment provider in your local area, please contact beauty supplier, The Global Beauty Group on 1300 006 607.