Raise your hand if you feel like you’re on a roller coaster each year where you need to protect your skin in the summer months, then hydrate through the winter months, and then start the process all over again. It can be confusing to really understand what is best for your type of skin. Here are our top tips on the best ways to care for your skin.
Looking after your skin doesn’t have to be time consuming.
Sunscreen is key
It’s no surprise that the Australian sun is pretty harsh on our delicate skin, and we’ve all heard the ‘slip, slop, slap’ adage, so when we say apply, reapply, reapply sunscreen, you know what we’re talking about. What you might be surprised to hear is that you need to apply (at a minimum) a 50+ sunscreen every day (perhaps multiple times) – even in winter. Sunscreen really is your UV secret weapon, so apply it regularly to ensure you’re fully covered.
Care for your skin while you sleep
It’s natural to toss and turn to some degree while you sleep, but have you considered the impact on your hair and skin? We only ever recommend 100% natural silk pillowcases as they are designed to reduce friction on your hair (less breakage), be gentler on your skin (reduced wrinkles), and regulate temperatures and absorb moisture (less irritation for sensitive skin or overnight sweating).
Find your skin type
Understanding your skin type goes a long way in helping you understand what works for you. If you’re slightly sensitive, some products may irritate or cause redness. You may benefit from seeking out a more gentle formula. One of our favourites is the super soft QV range, which has a variety of options to suit your style. Monecious Hair Skin Health also stock a range of premium products for your skin and are on hand to help advise you on the best products for your skin type.
Rehydrate to nourish your skin
While you should apply sunscreen every day (see earlier discussion), it’s also really important to hydrate your skin. It’s no surprise that the summer sun dries out your skin and exposes it to ageing UVA and UVB rays, and the winter weather dehydrates it by exposing it to harsher cold temps and dry indoor heated environments. A daytime hydrating lotion suited to your skin will help get you through the day, and a deeper moisturising night formula will work for you while you sleep. If you’re looking for recommendations, the luscious SKII range is good enough for Cate Blanchett, but you can find more budget-friendly options like Olay’s Regenerist range and Sephora’s rose hydration cream.
Make a fresh start
We put our skin through a lot. Layers of moisturiser, sunscreen, makeup, then exposure to sun, wind, rain etc… Our skin needs a fresh start at the end of the day. Once you find the right cleanser for your skin type, the experts suggest a double cleanse. It might sound strange (ie, how clean can your face get?), but an initial clean removes makeup and surface dirt; a second cleanse gives your skin a deeper clean, ensuring all traces of sweat, oil, makeup etc are removed. Follow it up with a great night moisturiser.
Work from the inside out
While cleansing, moisturising and a silk pillowcase will do wonders for your skin, we absolutely believe that you are what you eat. It’s like your nana said: If it’s a plant, eat it; if it’s made in a plant avoid it. Go fresh every time, and if you struggle to get your full servings in every day, add some supplements like Spirulina and omega 3.
Water is also your skin’s best friend. No one feels great when they are dehydrated. If you struggle with getting your full H2O intake each day, enlist a buddy, like the super smart Botell that will send you hydration reminders through an app.
Get your natural glow
Finally, and this one is close to our heart, get out there and get that heart pumping! If you’ve ever been for a run and afterwards been told, ‘you look amazing’, that is the power of exercise. Not only are you strengthening your body, you’re accelerating your circulation, which increases blood flow and delivers oxygen that nourishes skin. Healthy skin promotes collagen production and promotes new skin cells. This is where you get that amazing post-workout glow from.
Taking care of your skin doesn’t have to be complicated. Once you get a routine in place, these healthy habits will feel like second nature in no time. If you’re ready to start your healthy skin journey, Natalie Begg can help with our range of skin-friendly silk pillowcases. Treat your skin and hair with a dreamy hand-painted pillow case that will work for you while you sleep.