Dull skin is no stranger during winter, and sometimes, despite the weather getting warmer, it can be difficult to restore your skin to its natural radiance. With its cold temperatures, low humidity and indoor heating, winter has the ability to wreak havoc, leading to less-than-happy skin by the end of the season. As we head into spring, many of us struggle with dryness, flaking and a lacklustre complexion that appears grey, ashen on tired.
But, as temperatures warm up, there is plenty you can do on the skincare front to remove dry and dead skin cells, improve your skin’s moisture levels and increase your glow. Follow these simple steps for a revived complexion this spring:
Introduce vitamin C (if you haven’t already)
Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that’s earned its place as one of the most important skincare ingredients in your arsenal. One of its most well-known abilities is to brighten the skin, giving it that enviable glow. In addition, it’s also known to help fade dark marks and uneven skin tone, improve the skin’s defence mechanisms against harmful free radicals and even reduce breakouts. If you have not yet incorporated a vitamin C product in your regime, now is the time. We love:
Sorbet Brightening Vitamin C Face Wipes (R39.99)
Sorbet Brightening 15% Vitamin C Serum (R199.00)
Eau Thermale Avène Vitamin Activ Cg Intensive Radiance Cream (R719.95)
Exfoliate regularly
Exfoliation is key to banishing dullness, as a lacklustre complexion is often caused by a build-up of dead skin cells on the surface of the skin. Depending on your skin’s sensitivity, once or twice per week is enough, and we recommend using a chemical or enzymatic exfoliator rather than a rough physical scrub (this is much gentler on the skin and won’t cause micro-tears). We love:
Vitaderm Salicylic Powder Exfoliator (R730.00)
Paula’s Choice Exfoliate 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant (R895.00)
Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate
Winter is known for sapping the skin of moisture, so come spring, it’s essential to put that moisture back into the skin, and importantly, lock it in. Bear in mind that the skin may have some damage to its barrier function, so you need to apply products that are rich in moisture but gentle in the formulation. Look for hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid and moisturising ceramides. We love:
Hada Labo Tokyo Concentrated Water-Serum (R259.00)
Lamelle Serra Restore Cream (R630.00)
E45 Lips & Dry Skin Balm (R225.00)
Don’t skimp on SPF
We might not be in the middle of full-blown summer yet, but it’s absolutely essential to apply a good quality SPF to your face all year round. Not only does this protect your skin from sunburn, but it also minimises the formation of hyperpigmentation and protects your skin from DNA damage. To get the benefits of UV protection while increasing your skin’s glow, we recommend taking an antioxidant-rich oral supplement, as well as applying a sun protection product that contains a radiance-enhancing ingredient like vitamin C. We love:
Hello Sunday SPF 50 The Illuminating One Glow Primer (R395.00)
Heliocare Ultra Oral Capsules (R572.00)
In conjunction with the skincare steps, a healthy lifestyle goes a long way. Drinking lots of water, eating fresh foods and getting regular exercise all contribute to a more radiant complexion. Avoid smoking, drink caffeine and alcohol in moderation and try to eliminate processed foods from your diet. Your skin will thank you!
