IT’S inevitable: when the cold weather hits, our skin and lips get drier.
Cold winter air holds less moisture than warm air, which causes lower humidity levels that can draw moisture from the skin and leave it dehydrated and flaky.
This lack of humidity also weakens the skin barrier, causing dryness and tightness – as well as increasing your risk of irritation and cracking.
You might think that to counteract this, you should lather on the moisturiser.
But according to one licensed medical esthetician, that’s totally wrong.
Savanna Boda, who owns a skincare clinic and range of products, shares her tips on her podcast, The Blondest.
Last winter, she revealed the main issue she sees with skincare during colder months is people not exfoliating enough – AND moisturising too much.
“They think that their skin is dry, and doesn’t need to be exfoliated,” Savanna explained.
“But I’m here to tell you that every single day, our skin sheds one layer of dead skin cells.
“Exfoliation is going to help with that cellular turnover.
“If you have dry skin and you’re just putting on these thick, heavy moisturisers, and you’re asking, ‘why is my skin so dry?’
“It’s because it’s not able to penetrate effectively.
“There’s so many layers of dead skin cells sitting on your face.”
Savanna urged people to “sand it down” to create a thinner canvas on your face for lotions and potions to penetrate.
“A lot of people think they just need moisturisers and hydrating masks,” she continued.
“But you’re not treating the problem, you’re just putting a band-aid over it and will never actually feel moisturised and hydrated.
“There is a point to over exfoliating, and things like that.
“But it doesn’t matter what your skin type is, you need to exfoliate.”
Savanna urged people to research what exfoliants work for their skin type.
For example, normal skin will benefit from chemical exfoliants like enzyme peels and glycolic acid.
However, dry skin needs gentle exfoliation to avoid stripping away natural oils – which can be done with hydrating exfoliants like lactic acid or mandelic acid.
Oily and acne-prone skin will benefit from salicylic acid to target excess sebum production, unclog pores and combat acne-causing bacteria.
Among her other advice was to use a hydrating mist every day and still wear SPF, even when the weather is bad.
The Importance of SPF
WITH summer finally here, here’s everything you need to know about SPF.
1. Protects Against UV Radiation:
- SPF shields your skin from harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays, specifically UVA and UVB rays, which can cause sunburn, premature aging, and increase the risk of skin cancer.
2. Reduces Risk of Skin Cancer:
- Regular use of SPF can significantly lower the risk of developing various types of skin cancer, including melanoma, which is the most dangerous form of skin cancer.
3. Prevents Premature Aging:
- UV exposure accelerates the aging process, leading to wrinkles, fine lines, and age spots. SPF helps maintain youthful skin by blocking these aging effects.
4. Maintains Even Skin Tone:
- Sun exposure can cause hyperpigmentation and uneven skin tone. Using SPF regularly can help prevent these issues, leading to a more even and radiant complexion.
5. Essential for All Skin Types:
- Regardless of skin type or tone, everyone is susceptible to UV damage. SPF is crucial for all skin types to maintain healthy skin and prevent damage.
6. Everyday Necessity:
- UV rays can penetrate through clouds and windows, making daily SPF application essential, even on cloudy days or when indoors.
