Winter Dryness and Soulful Skincare
The skin is our biggest organ, readily able to absorb anything it comes into contact with. It is a powerful detoxifier, too. A living, breathing entity, it needs also to thrive. How many winter days in the office has your skin – dry and flaky and calling out for help – made the working day seem so very much longer? Oxidative stress and pollution from traffic and industry only serve to worsen the state of our skin further. It doesn’t have to be the actual office, either: heating systems at home will serve to dry out already fatigued and screen-weary skin, as well. From dark spots that have seemingly appeared overnight to deeper fine lines and wrinkles that prompt a double-take, from adult-onset eczema or acne to a greyer complexion than usual – changes in our skin can affect our mental wellbeing greatly. Antipollution skincare acts as a barrier or corrector, removing impurities by drawing them out. Clay masks are well-established as a means to clog pores of the grime of daily hectic living. If applied just before a hot bath (candles optional), the steam from the hot tub heightens the cleansing process further. But skincare options seem almost limitless these days.
Hyperpigmentation & Sun Spots Do you look in the mirror these days and wonder what happened to that unblemished skin of your youth? Hyperpigmentation happens when melanocytes (pigment-producing cells) work overtime, creating extra and unneeded melanin. Causes for this range from sun exposure to hormone fluctuation, to simple inflammation in the body. So it is that when you search for a product to combat hyperpigmentation, you’re essentially seeking to calm that inflammation, block any abnormal pigmentation happening, and boost cell turnover (i.e. shedding). Calmers include niacinamide, a form of vitamin B3, and licorice root extract (which is also thought to brighten skin). Blockers include the ever-popular vitamin C, as well as kojic acid, which blocks the formation of the enzyme tyrosine. Arbutin works similarly. Boosters include the famous retinol, and also glycolic acid. An alpha hydroxy acid, glycolic acid keeps skin looking fresh. Lastly, even in the winter (and even in the northern hemisphere), it is advisable to wear some factor of sun protection when out and about – especially on long hikes in the hills or along the coast. 50
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Vegan-friendly is an overdue requirement in the 21st Century, as well. And just as concern surrounding ingesting sufficient quantities of the right vitamins and minerals is crucial for good health, so too is making sure our skin is tended to and given equal measure of due care and its share of these. Named the “Mecosystem” by beauty professionals, the concept of what is good for the gut microbiome being good for the skin as well extends to the application of fermented ingredients, also. Advertising Feature
Hope’s Relief Natural steroid free eczema cream No.1 in Australia, Hope’s Relief multi award winning Intensive Dry Skin Rescue Cream helps soothe and heal itchy, dry skin prone to eczema, psoriasis and dermatitis. Developed over 35 years of research by naturopaths, Hope’s Relief is an effective, natural alternative to steroid creams and other medicated treatments and suitable for long term use on skin prone to eczema and psoriasis. Formulated with Active NPA10+ Manuka Honey, Licorice and Aloe Vera, the cream is clinically proven to hydrate skin for up to 24 hours after just a single use. Suitable for newborns upwards. The range includes gentle bath and shower cleansers, haircare for dry itchy scalps, dandruff and cradle cap plus soothing topical products in gel and spray form for immediate relief.
