24 Jul
Beauty 365

Beauty 365: Summer Skincare

It’s the time of the year we all wait for in eager anticipation when we bare more skin and spend far more time outdoors. The Summer season also brings with it a list of considerations when building out an effective skincare regimen – as it is also the time of the year where we accumulate the most skin damage. Thankfully with proper planning, next Summer your skin can reap the rewards of seasonally-appropriate care… starting with these Summer skincare tips!

Tip #1 | TIME TO GO LIGHT!

Save the thick creams for the Winter season, because Summer brings with it more sweat, more humidity, and more of that unsettling sticky feeling on our skin. Mediate this with lighter products, such as switching from an oil-based cleanser to a foaming one, or from creams to lotions.

This rings especially true if you have acne-prone skin. Heavier creams make it difficult to wick away sweat, which then just ends up sitting on top of your skin and risks clogging your pores.

Tip #2 | EASY ON THE ACTIVE INGREDIENTS

If you’re planning a beach day or prolonged sun exposure, it’s wise to adapt your skincare regimen to fit the risks of UV rays. For example, seasoned skincare aficionados know all too well the increased photosensitivity brought about by retinol and retinoids. Decrease your usage or stop it altogether a few days before your expected time under the Sun. This advice bodes also bodes well for those who love their AHA and BHA peels. If you must, then apply your chemical peels at night so your skin has some time to recover before exposing it to the sun once again.

Tip #3 | SPF IS THE HOLY GRAIL

Bold statement? Perhaps. But really, is there anything better you can do to prevent the visible signs of aging? We’re willing to bet that dermatologists would overwhelmingly choose UV protection as the one thing that can stave off aging.

Choose a sunscreen with at least SPF 30, and that is suitable for your skin. If you have a darker complexion, you may want to avoid mineral sunscreens that settle an unsightly whitecast. If you have lighter skin, then you’re more naturally more susceptible to sun damage and will want to opt for an even higher SPF factor.

Lastly, and most importantly, don’t forget to reapply every 2 hours as needed!

Tip #4 | THE FOUNTAIN OF YOUTH IS WATER

The scorching hot Sahara Desert is dry for a reason – don’t let your skin have the same fate. Hydration is absolutely key, and a delicious bottle of water is exactly what you need. Drink water lots, drink it consistently, and you will quickly realize that the most important ingredient in a skincare regimen is also the most basic one of all.

Don’t just drink water, but also apply it onto your skin using Hyaluronic Acid which holds up to 1000x its weight in water. In other words, it functions as a humectant that holds water particles onto your skin to keep it moisturized. Look for it standalone in a serum or incorporated into a light moisturizer.

Tip #5 | SHADES? SIZE MATTERS!

The skin around your eyes is amongst the thinnest on your body, so it needs extra love and care to keep those bags and wrinkles away. Aside from SPF in sunscreen and incorporated into your makeup, the best way to protect your eye area (and your vision) is with sunglasses that provide an adequate amount of coverage. In other words, don’t be afraid to GO BIG – and look for wide lenses that also wrap around the corners of your eyes.

Don’t just stop at size, as there are a couple of other considerations to consider. Firstly, opt for mirrored lenses as they will block out far more UV than tinted lenses. Also, opt for plastic frames over metal frames because UV can actually reflect off the metal and create sunspots on your cheeks as a result. Lastly, make sure the fit is just right on the nose to keep it snug and your eye area protected throughout the day.

The Summer season was made to be thoroughly enjoyed outdoors – but don’t let FOMO damage your skin. Next Summer, heed our advice and you won’t spend the rest of the year rehabilitating your skin from that full day at the beach.

05 Jul
Beauty 365

Beauty 365: Winter Skincare

Love it or hate it, winter brings with it colder temperatures, big parkas, and a need for more climate-specific skincare. It can be a twofold struggle with the outdoors bringing in skin-blistering, lip-chapping cold, while the indoor heating can deplete moisture from your skin. Plan ahead for the next Winter season with these seasonal skincare tips.

Tip #1 | REACH FOR HEAVIER MOISTURIZERS

The colder weather means it’s time to utilize the heavier moisturizers that wouldn’t don’t bode well for the warmer months. Sometimes the only part of our body that’s exposed to the outdoor elements, our faces can really take a beating in the winter. Set aside the gels and lotions, and look for creams that will help lock in the moisture. Creams also usually contain higher concentrations of skin-nourishing oils, and the thicker consistency provides a more effective medium to absorb those nutrients.

Tip #2 | INGREDIENTS ARE EVERYTHING

As cold weather can make skin more sensitive, be strategic in selecting products with the right ingredients to avoid irritation and winter flare-ups. Here are some of our favorites:

  • Ceramides: These are essentially long-chain lipids that support the structure of your skin cells. Ceramide levels drop dramatically towards the Winter, resulting in more moisture loss – so look to replace your ceramide levels with the right skin products.
  • Squalene: An oil derived from rice, sugar cane, and olive oil, and that we also produce naturally. Squalene is fantastic at nourishing and moisturizing skin.
  • CBD: Increasingly popular in numerous forms, CBD has fantastic anti-inflammatory properties shown to reduce winter sensitivity.
  • Hyaluronic Acid:  This superstar ingredient comes in short-chain and long-chain forms. The former penetrates deep into the skin while the latter provides supreme epidermal (upper layer) nourishment. Look for a combination of the two.
  • Urea: One of the oldest skincare active ingredients available, urea has had lasting power thanks to its ability to regulate skin’s water content and in supporting cell turnover.

Tip #3 | EASY ON THE EXFOLIATION

Exfoliation should be part of your skincare routine all year round, but be cautious during the winter months when your skin is already being pounded by the elements. Excessive cold can really take its toll on your skin barrier (which keeps moisture in and external pollutants out), and over-exfoliation may just push it over the edge. Consider reducing your exfoliation days to 1-2 days a week – test it out and see what works for your skin type.

Tip #4 | HUMIDIFY, HUMIDIFY, HUMIDIFY

Bring the winter skincare indoors, especially since there is a good chance you’ll be spending more time inside during these months. Heaters can keep you cozy, but they also dry out the surrounding air, which ends up drawing moisture out of your skin. Mediate this with a humidifier, which reinfuses moisture into the air and keeps Transepidermal Water Loss at bay.

Tip #5 | SUNSCREEN 365

You’re probably tired of hearing this, but we’re going to say it anyway: Wear Sunscreen. Oftentimes the cold brings about a false sense of security, but the sun is still up there and so are the skin-damaging UV rays it emits. You might be able to get away with a lower SPF factor on overcast days during winter, but when the sun is out then play it safe and wear a minimum of SPF 30.