The Sunday News
Rutendo Chidawanyika
WHEN you wake up . . .
Step 1 — CLEANSE
Once winter season hits, your skin stops producing as much moisture, so it’s important to maintain your skin’s natural moisture protector.
Switching to a non-foaming, cream-based, or oil cleanser will help moisturise your skin and replenish its natural oil. When buying your cleanser look out for these key ingredients: glycerin, hyaluronic acid, and ceramides. All of these ingredients work to bind water to your skin, which will better hydrate your face and prevent damage throughout the day.
Step 2 — APPLY SERUM (vitamin C)
The next step is applying a vitamin C serum after cleansing. Serums are made of very small molecules, which allow the skin to absorb them quickly and deeply.
Vitamin C has been proven to increase skin elasticity and boost the skin’s immune system, as well as repair damages caused by external elements. The vitamin C serum is also high in antioxidants, which increase water absorption in your skin.
Step 3 — MOISTURISE
Biting winds, freezing temperature, and dry indoor heaters is a recipe for dry skin. The most obvious and vital way to fight flakiness is to apply moisturiser.
Consider a heavy-duty moisturiser that won’t cause you to break out and contains ceramides, glycerin, and hyaluronic acid, which attract and lock in moisture. Even in the winter, it’s important to apply SPF (sun screen). It’s ok to add a layer of SPF to complete your routine; this will protect you from UV rays.
DRINK WATER!
All beauty and skin experts keep on telling us: Drink more water! Dry winter air can draw water out of your skin by the process of osmosis, making the skin dehydrated.
Your skin is just another major organ that needs water to properly function. In the winter, it is recommended that you increase your water intake by 20 percent. So, if you normally drink eight glasses of water, start drinking 10.
Before you go to bed . . .
Step 1 — ALWAYS REMOVE YOUR MAKEUP
I know most women don’t wash their faces before bed. Not properly removing makeup, however, increases the chance of your skin absorbing the dirt, oil, bacteria, and free radicals built up throughout the day.
This not only clogs your pores but it also prevents your skin from absorbing nutrients from your serums and moisturisers. Get some cotton wool and tea tree oil/ bio oil/ baby oil/ coconut oil. Either of the oils will do, it just depends on what works for you. Pour a bit of oil on the cotton oil and remove your makeup.
Step 2 — CLEANSE AGAIN
After removing makeup, it’s important to fully wash skin with the same cleanser you used in the morning. The water-binding ingredients will help your skin absorb the night-time moisturiser as you sleep, so you can wake up with glowing, supple skin.
Step 3 — EXFOLIATE
With dry skin comes dead skin, and that is where exfoliation is key. Exfoliating is removing dulling skin cells, dirt, and other impurities, leaving the complexion feeling soft and smooth.
It also stimulates healthy cell renewal, giving skin a healthy, glowing appearance. Most ladies use mealie-meal to exfoliate and that’s still okay, as long as it does the job. However be careful, only exfoliate twice a week, to prevent the skin being damaged.
Step 4 — Moisturise & Treat
The night-time is when your skin goes through an intense healing process. Cells repair and rebuild during sleep. Because your skin is working hard to regenerate, it will naturally lose moisture as you sleep. To help this repair process and retain water in your skin, try using a heavy-duty moisturiser that contains hyaluronic acid or glycerin and retinol.
STEAM
Bring a small pot of water to a boil. You only need a few cups of water to do a proper steam. Boil the water on the stove or in the microwave. Add herbs or essential oils.
You don’t have to add anything to your steam, but to make it truly special you can add some fresh or dried herbs or essential oils that will release beneficial aromas. A herbal teabag will also do the trick! Try the following herbs and oils to enhance your steam:
-Use lemon grass or peppermint for an energising steam.
– Use chamomile or lavender for a relaxing steam.
– Use peppermint or eucalyptus for a cold-conquering steam.
Hold your face over the steaming water. Drape a towel over your head so that it creates a sort of tent over your face, and hold your face over the water. Keep your face over the steam for about 10 minutes. Close your eyes and breathe deeply, allowing the heat to awaken your face and open your pores. Don’t steam your face for too long, or get too close to the hot water.
Take good care of your skin this winter!
