Spring clean your skin care
Spring, a time for renewal, for growth and for
spending more time in the sunshine. It’s been a long winter, most of it spent
indoors, so it’s with a collective sigh of relief that we can finally enjoy the
warmer weather – all safety and germ protection measures in place of course.
“While our spirits may be high with the sights and sounds of spring, it’s
likely your skin is still experiencing the winter blues; dehydrated and dry,
especially on the heels, knees and elbows, as well as stressed-out, dull and
undernourished skin on your face,” explains Clere skin care brand manager
Su-Marie Annandale.
She adds that when our feet and legs aren't on
display the way they are during the warmer weather, we tend not to moisturise
as much, and we don't pay as much attention to things like dry cuticles;
unfortunately, it doesn't take long for skin that is neglected to react,
becoming dry, flaky, and sometimes even red and inflamed.
Come a new season it’s just as important to
relook our skin care regime as it is our wardrobe. While a complete overhaul
isn’t necessary, a few adjustments will help you look and feel better, not to
mention keep your skin healthy. Annandale shares her top tips:
- Spring clean your beauty stash
– Spring cleaning doesn’t only refer to combing through the unworn clothes
in your closet or boxes in your garage. Your beauty stash also requires a
good clean out. Look over your skin care products — including topicals,
make-up brushes and hairbrushes — and clean out. Discard any expired
products as these can have bacteria build-up and ingredients may no longer
be active. It’s also a good time to reassess your skin type and consider
what your regimen might need added or removed. Determine if you’re dealing
with oily, dry, dull, irritated or acne-prone skin and opt for products
that cater to your specific needs.
Exfoliate more – Coming out of winter our skin
will be a little on the dry and dehydrated side, making our pores look
enlarged and our tone dull and red from the chilly temperatures and lack
of moisture. As the weather warms up and our activity increases, our
metabolism, circulation, and oil production all get back into gear
instantly brightening the complexion, however this is also a great time to
exfoliate. Exfoliation speeds up the process of removing old skin cells so
that new ones can emerge. For your body, a gentle physical exfoliator made
with sugar, salt or finely-ground plant material can be used. For the more
delicate skin on your face, consider a milder exfoliator. Drink more water – Hydration is just as
important for your skin in the spring as it is in the winter. Drinking up
to eight glasses of water a day will help ride your body of toxins and
keep your skin from getting dry and flaky. Adjust your moisturiser –
Consider scaling back on the thickness and richness of the moisturising
products you were using in winter and choose a lighter moisturiser to keep
your skin healthy and hydrated without weighing it down. Clere’s range of
lotions and crèmes offer four unique formulations (Tissue Oil and Pure
Glycerine, Triple Glycerine, Pure Glycerine Crème and Glycerine Gel), all
available in different fragrances and catering to the different skin needs
of each consumer. These are Cocoa Butter, Tropical Coconut, Lanolin &
Glycerine, Avocado Milk, Powder Fresh, Rich Musk, Vanilla Honey Cream and
Berries & Cream.Get a facial – A visit to the spa during a
seasonal change isn’t just a way to pamper yourself, it’s also a great
time of year for pick-me-up treatments that refine skin texture or boost
collagen production. Eat fresh fruit and vegetables –
A great way to get more water into your day, without actually having
another glass of water, is by snacking on fresh fruit and vegetables. Top
fruits and vegetables for optimal skin health include citrus, grapefruit,
apples, watermelon, carrots, broccoli, and lettuce. Apply sunscreen – This is one of the easiest
ways you can prevent damage and keep your skin healthy throughout the
year. With an increased exposure to sun in the warmer months, it’s even
more important to be diligent about applying sunscreen. Apply an SPF daily
on top of your preferred Clere lotion or crème formulation. All
four Clere skincare formulations provide 48-hour moisturisation and contain
Vitamins E & A. The Clere range of crèmes and
lotions are available at all leading retailers at a cost of R34.99 and R21.99,
respectively.
