If the newspapers are to be believed, we are in for a fantastic summer this year. Last time I wrote about, how to combat dryness over the winter, this time we are going to go through what you can do to help your skin look its best over the summer.
Once the warmer weather starts, you will notice that your oil glands will become more active. An increase of sebaceous oil on the skin can lead to breakouts, uneven skin tone and texture.
While continuing the routine that you have become accustomed to over the winter ‘Drinking water, cleansing morning and night, toning, exfoliating, using a mask, serums and moisturising day and night,’ a few tweaks in your regime may help you be more radiant over the summer.
Over the summer months, you should have a look at the products on your shelf and check that these are not too rich and oily. You do not want to add to the oils your skin is now producing.
I would recommend using a lightweight cleanser and moisturiser, increasing your exfoliation to 2-3 times per week and using a clay mask once a week. Use products that contain Glycolic acid, Enzymes, Vitamin C and/or Vitamin A which will help to awaken your skin giving it that summer glow. You should always remember to wear sunblock even if you are only out for a few moments and especially when you are just in the car, UV rays come through your windscreen! We have two beautiful sunscreens in stock Natural-Zinc or a light-weight matt finish that you can use under your make up.
Facials and products that I would recommend over the summer period are as follows, Vital Radiance Detoxifying, Transformation Treatment and Vital Radiance Gold Facial from our Nahaia range. These treatments rejuvenate and restore, improving skin clarity and texture. Use at home Nahaias’ Grape-Cleanse Anti-oxidant, Enzyme-Joy Exfoliant, Radiant-Light Serum, ultra-fade enzyme moisturiser and Intensive-C as your night cream.
From our La Clinica Range, the facials I would recommend are Gly C Micro Dermabrasion Treatment, Gly C Skin Peels, Rebalancing Vit A Spa Facial, Ionic Purification Mineral Facial. These facial help to refine, balance irregularities, reduce blemishes, detoxify and remineralise the skin. For home care, we have a large variety that will suit every sort of skin type, which you can mix and match to best suit you, i.e. Rebalancing Vit A Range, Gly C Range, Anti Aging Range and our white-brilliant range.
Here at Aqualive, we are happy to recommend or help advise you on what treatments are best suited for your skin, and we can’t wait to hear from you!
Sasha
Winter weather is not fun for the skin! With cold weather and low humidity levels resulting in much drier air, it then steals moisture away from our skin every day. Harsh winter winds, heating and long hot showers exuberates the issue, leaving our skin feeling dry, flaky, red, itchy and even inflamed!
To counter act these effects we need to add moisture to our skin internally and externally. To keep the skin looking young and glowing in winter, we need to be using gentler skin products with moisturising/hydrating benefits.
Here are my 8 tips for this winter to get your skin back into shape.
1. DRINK MORE WATER
When our body is dehydrated, our skin is the first to show signs. When we are dehydrated our collagen production decreases, and this has a domino effect in the body. Drink at least 2litres of water per day. And more if you are exercising.
2. CLEANSE MORNING AND NIGHT
I advise to double cleanse at night, once to remove your makeup, bacteria and help remove any grime left from the day. Your second cleanse helps go into the deeper layers of the skin, softening and prepping the skin for the next step of your regime. Your morning cleanse is just as important as your night cleanse. Believe it or not but we can still pick up environmental debris while we sleep, not mention that you may sweat and touch your faces through the night. Plus, you are prepping your skin for the next phase.
3. TONE
If your skin care provider has a toner in your range, you should be using it. Toners help remove any cleanser left behind and helps balance the PH in your skin. Now toners double up as hydrating spritz that can be utilised throughout the day to moisturise your skin. Very handy at work when air-conditioning is on non-stop!
4. EXFOLIATE
For dry skin, you should be using your exfoliant 1-2 times per week. You should be using an exfoliator that has a mild exfoliant effect such as one with jojoba beads or a fruit enzyme. You are clearing away any dead skin so that your moisturiser is reaching the deeper layer of the skin. In the process smoothening and helping to awaken your tired, dull skin.
5. USE HYDRATING MASKS
It is best to use your mask 1-2 times per week also and particularly after your exfoliation. You should use a mask that replenishes and soothes the skin. You need to be using products that protect the skin from environmental factors.
6. USE A SERUM
Serums help to amplify your moisturising cream. They go under your moisturiser. Use Serums rich in active ingredients to make your skin look revitalised, smooth, hydrated and nourished.
7. MOISTURISING DAY AND NIGHT
Some over-the-counter moisturisers have allergen, toxins and petroleum-based ingredients. The ingredients in that can further dry your skin in the winter months so be sure to choose a natural, nourishing product with active ingredients. Night creams with active ingredients help your skin repair and restore during sleep.
8. GO FOR REGULAR FACIALS
Facials are not just an hour of pampering. They have huge benefits for the health of your skin. Your skin is just like the weather, seasonal. You may need to change your products to reflect the needs of your skin, your therapist can advise you on what products you should be using. Facials also help to remove milia, detoxify your lymphatic system, unclog pores, and distress your mind and skin. I would recommend having a facial every 4-6 week.
Facials and products that I would recommend over the winter period are as follows, Vital Radiance Facial from our Nahaia range. This treatment restores the skins vital energy and function, leaving the skin feeling soft, smooth and radiating natural vitality and health. Use at home Nahaias‘ Coconut-Cream Cleanser, Enzyme-Joy Exfoliant, Radiant-Light Serum, Botrix-Me Moisturiser and Intensive-C as your night cream. From our La Clinica Range the facials I would recommend are Anti-Aging Hydra Restore Treatment and Anti-Stress Sensitive Skin Facial. Both these facials will leave the skin feeling younger, restored, hydrated and calmer. For homecare, we have the sensitive and anti-aging ranges that will help restore balance over the long winter.
Sasha
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By the time you have finished reading this post, you will become a convert!
Sugaring, what can I say…. It’s amazing! A centuries old formula that had been forgotten over the modern period. At its simplest, it contains sugar, water and lemon. As a product that is completely natural and water soluble, it is gaining momentum within the beauty industry.
Over the few years working with Pharo Sugaring System I could not recommend it more, and I wonder why it is not being used in every salon. The Pharo Sugaring Gel formula contains skin enhancers of with Manuka Honey, Kiwifruit, Aloe Vera and Lemon Juice. Pharo Sugar Wax is rich in protein, minerals and vitamins with antibacterial properties to protect and heal sensitive skin.
The pain associated with waxing is due to the use of glues and resins that adhere to the skin, ripping an active layer of skin which causes our skin to appear inflamed, red and irritated. Our skin overreacts to this process and in turn, causes ingrown hairs and dry skin on the area treated. Waxing can also leave hard wax, and a sticky residue and the use of harsh chemical-based solvents are needed to clean the area. One of the most common problems waxers face is early regrowth since wax hardens on the skin, it has a tendency to break hair off at the surface rather than pull it out, leaving 15-30% of breakages behind.
Sugaring is a natural, eco-friendly formulation, free from any harsh solvents and additives. It adheres strongly to the hair NOT the skin, resulting in less discomfort. The sugar wraps around the hair shaft and seeps into the hair follicle, removing it from the roots. There are significantly fewer amounts of broken hairs, and the skin is left feeling more nourished than before your treatment. Unlike wax, sugar is heated slightly above body temperature preventing any possibility of burning or scarring. Sugar can be used on people who suffer from eczema and psoriasis, being more of mild exfoliant on the affected areas.
From a person who would let panic overcome me as my waxing appointment drew closer, I have to say I’m glad sugar came into my life; now I do not bat an eyelid when getting sugared. With my Irish sensitive skin, I would break out with ingrown hairs, get a dry and itchy skin on the area treated, not a look anybody wants! My skin now feels nourished, smooth with minimal ingrown hairs in comparison to wax.
And best of all you just use a hot towel to wipe down afterwards, and your clothes no longer stick to your body, how could you not convert!
Sasha
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