IT’S inevitable: when the cold weather hits, our skin and lips become drier.
Cold winter air holds less moisture than warm air, causing lower humidity that causes our skin to dry out and flake.
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This lack of moisture also weakens the skin barrier, causing dryness and tightness, and increasing the risk of irritation and cracking.
You might think that to combat this you need to lather on the moisturizer.
But according to a certified medical beautician, that is completely wrong.
Savanna Boda, owner of a skincare clinic and a range of products, shares her tips on her podcast The Blondest.
Last winter, she revealed that the main problem she sees with skin care during the colder months is people not exfoliating enough – AND over-moisturizing.
“They think their skin is dry and doesn’t need to be exfoliated,” Savanna explains.
“But I’m here to tell you that our skin sheds a layer of dead skin cells every day.
“Exfoliation will help with that cell turnover.
“If you have dry skin and you apply thick, heavy moisturizers and you wonder, ‘Why is my skin so dry?’
“That’s because it can’t penetrate effectively.
“There are so many layers of dead skin cells on your face.”
Savanna urged people to “sand it down,” creating a thinner canvas on your face for lotions and potions to penetrate.
“Many people think they only need moisturizers and hydrating masks,” she continued.
‘But you’re not treating the problem, you’re just putting a band-aid over it and you’ll never really feel hydrated and hydrated.
“There’s a point in over-exfoliating and things like that.
“But no matter what your skin type is, you need to exfoliate.”
Savanna urged people to research which exfoliants work for their skin type.
For example, normal skin benefits from chemical exfoliants such as enzyme peels and glycolic acid.
However, dry skin needs gentle exfoliation to prevent natural oils from being removed – which can be done with moisturizing exfoliants such as lactic acid or mandelic acid.
Oily and acne-prone skin will benefit from salicylic acid to tackle excess sebum production, unclog pores and fight acne-causing bacteria.
Another piece of advice from her was to use a hydrating mist every day and still wear SPF even when the weather is bad.
The importance of SPF
Now that summer is finally here, here’s everything you need to know about SPF.
1. Protects against UV radiation:
- SPF protects your skin from harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays, especially UVA and UVB rays, which can cause sunburn, premature aging and increase the risk of skin cancer.
2. Reduces the Risk of Skin Cancer:
- Regular use of SPF can significantly reduce the risk of developing several types of skin cancer, including melanoma, 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. Regular use of SPF can help prevent these problems, leading to a more even and radiant complexion.
5. Essential for All Skin Types:
- Regardless of skin type or skin color, everyone is susceptible to UV damage. SPF is crucial for all skin types to maintain healthy skin and prevent damage.
6. Daily Necessity:
- UV rays can penetrate clouds and windows, making daily application of SPF essential, even on cloudy days or indoors.
