HEALTH + WELLNESS
Spring Skin Solutions
BY LOUISA TIDY
THE WELCOME ARRIVAL OF SPRING SIGNIFIES THE START OF A NEW SEASON AND THE BEGINNING OF VENTURING BACK OUT INTO THE WORLD . AS WE EXCITEDLY MAKE PLANS FOR THE RETURN TO NORMAL LIFE , ARE WE PREPARED FOR OUR SKIN TO BE SEEN UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL AGAIN AFTER HIDING BEHIND FACE MASKS ? AFTER A LONG PERIOD OF BEING INSIDE , HAVE WE REALLY LOOKED AFTER OUR SKIN AS MUCH AS WE COULD HAVE ?
Being indoors has taken its toll , not only on our wellbeing but also on our skin . As an organ ( yes that ’ s right our largest organ ) which is consistently exposed to the environment whether that ’ s outdoors in the elements or inside a confined space , our skin is susceptible to being affected by these conditions if it isn ’ t looked after correctly .
Many of us are revelling in bare faced glory and foregoing wearing makeup which for some can mean we ’ re not following our normal skincare routines . Cleansing and moisturising twice a day is a basic requirement , and it is just as important now to fight free radicals and keep the skin ’ s barrier healthy .
By not cleansing regularly the build up of dead cells , dirt and pollution can cause blocked pores and also prevent other products such as face creams and oil from doing their job . So your expensive night cream is literally like throwing money away if you haven ’ t prepped your skin first .
Throughout this winter we ’ ve spent a large majority of our time indoors and this can cause the skin to be dry , the air inside our homes is often drier than the air outside and this can strip the skin of its natural moisture .
Anxiety and stress also play a part in contributing to inflammatory conditions such as eczema and acne as the release of cortisol can result in the overproduction of oil leading to an increase in breakouts .
As we step into Spring , the days are getting longer and we ’ re even thinking of switching off the central heating , and all our skin needs is a bit more TLC to transition into the new season .
There ’ s some easy adjustments we can make to our routine to ensure we ’ re keeping our skin in tip top condition ; ditch the heavier creams and balms which provide extra hydration during winter and when spring arrives reach for lighter lotions and oils with ingredients like antioxidants and hyaluronic acid . As the humidity increases outside , so does oil production and shine , so using lightweight formulas will help to maintain the function of the skin ’ s barrier and balance oil .
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