Skin Juice
Banish seasonal skincare woes. Dermatologist, Dr Sally de Zwaan advises how to achieve glowing skin, whatever the weather.
Dry flaky skin isn’t on anyone’s beauty wish list, but a change in temperature as we move into the cooler months leaves us no choice. But don’t despair. Some simple skincare steps, from Lotus Dermatology, can help you maintain a fresh and radiant complexion. Say goodbye to dryness, hello to healthy skin.
“Avoid using soaps as they can be very drying. Instead, use a soap-free pH-balanced gentle cleanser and avoid having very long and very hot showers or baths,” says Dr de Zwaan. “Staying hydrated and gently exfoliating weekly also helps skin stay radiant, and with a possible rainy season ahead, aim to stay dry.
“Wet clothes or wet feet will end up exacerbating dryness or eczema,” advises Dr de Zwaan. “Avoid this by keeping dry with rain boots, umbrellas, hats, and raincoats.”
“After drying, always apply lots of good quality moisturiser. Avoid scrubs, which aren’t usually that helpful and can increase skin dryness, and avoid irritant products and environments such as friction and wind.”
SEASONS CHANGE
As seasonal change stretches across Newcastle, there are several ways to prep our skin.
Staying hydrated and gently exfoliating weekly also helps skin stay radiant, and with a possible rainy season ahead, aim to stay dry.
“Wet clothes or wet feet will end up exacerbating dryness or eczema,” advises Dr de Zwaan. “Avoid this by keeping dry with rain boots, umbrellas, hat and raincoats.”
LOVING YOUR SKIN
Our skin is constantly exposed to a variety of elements and temperatures. So, what’s an ideal routine to keep our skin looking its best all year long?
“Apply good quality sunscreen every morning to the face, neck, and hands, no matter the weather,” says Dr de Zwaan. “Sunscreen is anti-cancer, anti-ageing, and anti-sunburn. If you want colour on your skin, use fake tan.”
Dr de Zwaan advises against using cheaper or poor-quality sunscreens, which often irritate the skin. If you have dry skin, she recommends mixing sunscreen with your usual moisturiser.
“At night, use a gentle cleanser to clean skin and remove makeup, and always moisturise afterwards.
“Anti-ageing products such as vitamin C, retinols, and AHAs (Alpha-hydroxy-acid) can be wonderful but also irritating to the skin, so you may need to use them intermittently or sparingly if there’s any skin tightness, redness, or itchiness.”
Dr de Zwaan adds that niacinamide is skin calming and can be used even on dry, sensitive skin.
As a final piece of advice, Dr de Zwaan says, “If you’re fair-skinned, over 40, or have lots of funny moles or any sunspots, an annual full skin examination with your doctor is essential to detect and treat pre-cancers or cancers early.”
Read more in our Autumn Edition of Hunter & Coastal Lifestyle Magazine or subscribe here.
Story Jo Hartley
