New Year. New self-care.
In the New Year we all like to reevaluate how we are taking care of ourselves, so why not set some goal for your skin care routine? Whether dead skin cells are weighing you down, or you current face serum ain't cutting it, start the new year with a skin-refresh.
Understanding what skincare ingredients work for your skin type is super important to maintaining healthy skin. Knowing your skin type and reading the ingredients list will help you recognise what works for you and which ingredients are the culprits that throw your skin off balance Dr Katheleen Alpapara explains.
There are a lot of beauty misconceptions floating around the web, so understanding the exact function of what you're using in your day and night skincare routine will not only simplify your routine but also ensure you're getting the right nutrients.
Doom scrolling on social media can quickly result in a 3-step skincare routine turning into an 8-step routine. With so many choices marketed to you, it's easy to get swayed by what an influencer is promoting or what beauty products are currently trending. Dr Alpapara suggests 'focusing on what your skin concerns are and building a skincare routine around it.' In a nutshell: Stop buying the trends based on the results shown to you online and think about your specific concern. Is it dullness? adult acne? Pigmentation? Hopping from one trend to another will only result in more problems.
We're all guilty of hoarding beauty products, however, skin care products don't last forever. The new year is the perfect time to clean out your stockpile of skincare. First, check the best before/use-by date. Out of date? Bin it. Secondly, check any opened skincare products for an icon of a small jar with a number inside. The number indicates how many months after opening your products are good for. Lastly, and most importantly, if you can't remember the last time you used a skincare product, bin it.
People are conscious about living more sustainably, so why not opt for palm-free and vegan skincare? It's good for the planet and great for your skin. You can be assured that using clean ingredients will leave your skin nourished with all the good stuff.
Learning the right order to use your products is the first step. Tip: apply from thinnest to thickest. There are some exceptions to this rule depending on your skin concerns. Secondly, how are you applying your products? Are they supposed to be dabbed onto the skin? Are you applying too much? Not enough? Reading the how-to-use instructions will maximise the benefits of your products.
We'll never stop saying it: for sun protection, wear sunscreen EVERY. SINGLE. DAY. Dr. Alpapara explains; 'UV damage isn't limited to summer months, UV rays still lurk around in the colder weather. Dense clouds only block up to 50% of UV rays, so you still need to wear sunscreen. Reapply a broad spectrum sunscreen every 2 hours outdoors, this will prevent photoageing and skin cancer.'
Rain or shine, apply SPF. Make it part of your routine by applying it to your face, neck, and décoletté. Applying every 2 hours if you're in the sun is optimal. Even when you are not directly in the sun, slip, slop, slap because UVA and UVB rays can penetrate glass doors and still harm the skin.
Your skin repairs itself overnight, so it's important to remove your makeup before bed. Regularly sleeping with makeup can clog pores and speed up aging. Developing a nightly skincare routine can help ensure your skin is clean and ready to repair overnight. If a routine doesn’t come naturally to you, try removing your makeup straight after you get home from work or a night out. Keeping cotton pads and makeup remover by your bed is a handy way to remind yourself to clean your face before bed.
Clean your brushes of any bacteria buildup. Dr Alpapra recommends washing brushes once a week under warm water with shampoo. Swirl and rinse under water and repeat until the water runs clear. Voila! Your brushes look new again. It also helps with the longevity of your makeup brush, the more care you give, the longer it will last. Plus, it will save you money. Chang Ching!
A common new year's resolution: eat better, be healthy, and fitter. Why not think about your skin as well? Increasing your antioxidant intake can protect collagen from ultraviolet light and damage from environmental factors, such as pollution. Brightly coloured fruits and vegetables are great options, the darker in colour your fruit and vegetable is, the more antioxidant-rich they will be.
Good fat intake is essential explains Dr Alpapara, “oily fish like salmon, are a great source of omega 3 and protein. Great vegan substitutes are cashew nuts, flaxseed oil, and algae omega-3 supplements." Water intake is a must for glowing skin, try drinking 2-3 litres a day to maintain a good level of hydration.
The above tips are a great place to start on your skincare resolutions. But, we understand not all skin's the same. Dr Alpapara has broken down specific tips to consider for the new year.
If you're concerned about dry skin, oiliness, keeping skin hydrated, or how to best look after sensitive skin, we’ve got some new year's resolutions specifically for you.
Workout with a clean face.
Sweat and makeup are a recipe for clogged pores and post-workout pimples. Ditch the gym makeup and go al naturale.
Clean your pillowcases regularly.
Your pillow collects skin oils and impurities which can then redeposit themselves on your face.
Cut back on greasy food, dairy, sugar, alcohol, and red meat.
These foods increase the risk of clogged pores.
Add plants to your home/work area.
Plants help cut down on pollutants that contaminate the skin. Look for plants that can help clean the air.
Moisturise wisely.
Even oily skin needs moisture, natural oil-based products can balance out your skin oils to moisturise and soften your skin.
Exfoliate regularly
1-2 times a week. For the face use gentle exfoliants that don't scratch the surface of the skin.
Our recommendations
Fresh Face Toner & Mist view
Cleanse Dust Powdered Face Cleanser view
Avoid harsh cleansers.
Harsh skin care cleansers contain sulfates, alcohols, and other harsh ingredients that further dry out the skin. Try a cleanser with gentle cleansing ingredients that moisturise while cleansing.
Say no to hot water.
Hot water strips the skin of natural moisturizing oils, further drying your skin.
humidify.
Invest in a humidifier for your bedroom as your skin can dry out overnight. A humidifier helps increase the humidity level in the air.
Make fatty acids your besties.
Fatty fish, walnuts, flaxseed, and algae omega supplements work from the inside out to help moisturise the skin.
Hydrate.
Moisturising works to lock in moisture, by adding a hydrating serum to your routine, your moisturiser will lock in more hydrating properties.
Know the right ingredients.
Use serums that help your skin look more revived. Antioxidants, vitamin C and certain essential oils can firm, tighten, and plump your skin.
Our recommendations
Lighten Up Brightening Serum View
Mister Brightside Face & Hair Oil View
Use natural ingredients for cleansing
Chemical-based cleansers leave dry areas drier and oily areas oilier. Use pH-balanced gentle cleanser that won't exaggerate your problem areas. Try double cleansing with an oil- based cleanser as the first step.
Go gentle.
Ditch abrasive scrubs. These irritate and break out your skin further. Look for gentler exfoliating ingredients.
Find a balancing toner.
Look for a toner that soothes dry areas while balancing oily spots.
Coffee and alcohol sporadically.
Both can dry out the skin causing it to produce more oil. Limit your consumption of dehydrating drinks and replace these will more water to help balance your skin.
Go makeup free.
Wear makeup every day? Try cutting back by going makeup free for one day a week. Use non-toxic makeup that won't dry out the skin.
Eat skin healthy foods.
Green tea, fruit, and dark green leafy veggies help replenish your skin with nutrients.
Our recommendations
Adios Irritation Body & Face Oil View
Goodbye Breakouts Hemp Face Oil View
Know your triggers.
What irritates and makes your skin flare up? Allergies? detergents? Dry skin? Fragrances? Bad weather? Recognise what causes irritation and make relevant changes to help reduce flare-ups.
Detox your life.
what products are you using in your home? Are your laundry or cleaning products full of harsh chemicals? Swap these for natural products that won’t cause havoc on your skin. Regular dusting and vacuuming will also help reduce the toxic load in your home.
Clean what touches your face.
Regularly clean makeup brushes, change pillowcases more frequently, stop touching and picking your face, and use a clean washcloth daily.
Eat more skin-healthy foods.
Add Fresh fruits, veggies, omega-3 fatty acids, and herbs to your diet.
Use non-alcohol products
Alcohol and sensitive skin don't mix. Check ingredient labels and avoid buying a facial cleanser, or other products that contain alcohol.
Our recommendations
Goodbye Breakouts Hemp Face Oil View
Hydrate Thy Body Rose Oil View
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