Dry as dust

Your client’s complexion needs extra special care during the cold months when moisture evaporates from the air, leading to trans-epidermal water loss in the skin and a compromised barrier. kin cells release pro-inflammatory mediators and cortisol when exposed to low temperatures, putting the skin on high alert, and increasing inflammation levels, resulting in moisture loss and leaving the skin feeling tight and dry during winter. So says Dermalogica educator, Lusinda Burch. She continues: “Lifestyle influencers such as elevated stress, diets high in refined sugars, and indoor heating can compound the problem, leading to even more moisture loss and a compromised skin barrier function.

“When the skin’s barrier function becomes compromised, it opens up channels or gaps in the skin, leading to moisture loss and slower desquamation (shedding) of dead skin cells, resulting in dehydration lines, flakiness, dull and devitalised skin. It also opens up pathways for allergens and microbes, resulting in increased skin sensitivity and more reactive skin.”

To obtain a healthy skin barrier, the moisture and barrier lipid ratio should be at optimal levels, thus protecting the skin’s natural microbiome. S

Dry vs dehydrated

Dry skin is typically genetic and feels dry all over, including the hands and scalp. This skin concern is more susceptible to sensitivity and signs of premature aging.

Dehydrated skin can be experienced by anyone, and tends to come and go depending on your client’s diet, environment, product use and other factors. Such skin may feel dry and tight, but it can also feel oily in certain areas, making it more of a combination skin. >

Lipid base

For the client’s home care, Danish medical skincare brand, Beauté Pacifique, recommends Enriched Cleansing Milk, and weekly use of the Gentle Facial Expoliator, together with the Skin Hydrating Mask.

Beauté Pacifique’s nourishing, lipid-based facial moisturisers, such as Moisturising Crème for both dry and all skin types, have a built in barrier function and should be used in conjunction with Defy Damage Skin Repair Serum to boost and protect the skin through winter.

Says Wayne La Grange of Beauté

Pacifique Africa: “Our range of moisturisers use a patented squalane capsule delivery system to transport active ingredients into the deeper layers of the skin. Squalane is a bio-identical oil that mimics our body’s own natural lipids. It is found in the majority of our products, giving them a luxurious lipid base.

“Other nourishing ingredients found in our moisturisers are vitamin E, both natural and synthetic, medical grade lanolin, glycerin, aloe and avocado oil, which is rich in lanoleic acid. Our Body Lotion for dry skin has a potent concentration of squalane and vitamin A, making it a unique body lotion for winter which helps with both dryness and ageing of the skin. Clinical trials show an increase in skin moisture by 65% after only 30 days of use.”

Beauté Pacifique’s X-tra Dry Skin Fix can be used on any area that is dry, itchy, scaly or suffering from eczema or psoriasis; as well as on elbows, knees, cracked heels, chapped hands, brittle nails and dry cuticles. La Forte nutri-ceutical oral tablets can be incorporated into your client’s skincare routine to enhance moisture in your skin by almost 50%. From Environ, the Focus Care Moisture+™ Range contains various combinations of scientifically researched ingredients that may assist in delivering moisture boosting benefits to dehydrated skin.

The Vita-Complex Super Moisturiser is a luxurious cream containing a variety of dynamic moisturisers and emollients. Vitamins and antioxidants enhance the user experiencer by adding to the overall protection from the effects of free-radical damage, resulting in nourished and refreshed skin.

Environ’s Hydrating Oil Capsules deliver a burst of vitamin enriched hydration for the skin. Containing a blend of retinol and antioxidants, they assist in enriching skin with natural surface oils, leaving it looking visibly refreshed and energised.

For in-salon treatments, Environ’s Essential Moisture Boost helps reduce the appearance of fine lines caused by dehydration and increases the plumpness of the deeper layers of the skin. Hyaluronic acid is the hero ingredient, promoting a moisturised, glowing-looking skin.

CBD

Manufactured to GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice) standards and tested to be THC free, DermaFix CBD Lotion contains the purest CBD (Cannabidiol). This lotion helps to hydrate and soothe irritated skin, making it perfect for use alongside problematic skin types. It offers barrier protection and restoration, whilst providing superior antioxidant protection.

A much needed component of a healthy skin barrier comes from essential fatty acids. DermaFix Bio-Effective Cream is a luxurious facial moisturiser containing a unique fatty acid blend for the repair and restoration of a dry and damaged skin.

Helping to nourish and feed a parched skin barrier, DermaFix Skin ResQ rapidly penetrates into the skin for all day protection, without the sensation of a greasy film. Formulated with Murumuru Seed Butter, DermaFix SkinResQ provides antioxidant protection, simultaneously keeping the skin supple and hydrated.

The dryer weather often sensitises the skin with resultant itching and redness. Skin’s resistance can be boosted by incorporating the DermaFix HydraSooth SOS, a corrective masque that provides hydration relief, whilst assisting to calm inflammation and soothing an irritated skin. It may be used as a masque, serum or moisturiser according to individual skin needs.

Collagen infused

From LCN, the collagen infused Cococell Moisture Mask is formulated with high and low molecular hyaluronic acid, synergistically working together to plump out fine lines and wrinkles and support the structure of the skin on a deeper level.

LCN’s Facial Care Regenerating Luminous Skin Mask is soothing and regenerating due to white clay extracts. It is designed for the

most sensitive of skin and contains highly anti-ageing ingredients for a smooth, glowing result.

Certified organic

The Climate Defence Rich Cream from certified organic Italian brand, Team Dr Joseph, is a rich and nourishing cream for optimal protection against cold weather and wind. Selective plant-based functional ingredients and precious ceramides sustainably improve the skin’s resistance to external stress factors. It is highly recommended for sensitive and dry skin.

Team Dr Joseph’s UltraIntense Moisturizing Cream is an intensively moisturizing face cream for particularly dry, flaking, dehydrated and stressed skin.

‘Botox-like’ effect

Power Firm Mask from QMS Medicosmetics is a rich, nourishing and soothing face mask that helps to intensely restore and regulate the skin’s moisture levels. It provides an immediate moisturising and ‘Botox-like’ effect that will last for 24-hours. This product was formally called Relax-o-Firm.

Also from QMS Medicosmetics, Advanced Pearl Protein is a luxurious re-firming moisturiser with Silk Proteins and Pearl Extracts. This intensive yet lightweight moisturiser is formulated with advanced pearl protein extract, for an ideal absorption that leaves skin feeling smooth and noticeably hydrated. It contains a combination of skin identical fatty acids that are optimally absorbed by the skin to target many skin priorities at once. This product was formerly called Pearl Touch Duo.

Layering system

The Intraceuticals line of unique spa treatments and complementary skin care products is known for its unique 3-step hyaluronic acid layering system, using oxygen under pressure, together with cutting-edge hyaluronic acid technology to promote the delivery of specially formulated serums to the skin.

Intraceuticals Rejuvenate Hydration Gel instantly hydrates, providing a reservoir of antiageing nutrients to the skin, which address the visible signs of premature ageing. It replenishes hydration to enhance skin volume, and skin appears tighter, firmer and more translucent.

From the vine

The TheraVine HydraVine Facial features the award-winning Chardonnay Grape Mask. This facial is the perfect treatment for very dry, sensitive skin that needs intense hydration and a vitamin boost, which is particularly the case during winter times. The skin’s hydro-lipidic film is bolstered with a revolutionary cloth mask containing hyaluronic acid, which intensely moisturises and locks in active ingredients for up to three weeks.

Carefully selected product combinations contain some of the newest advances in skincare and boast exclusive combinations of TheraVine’s distinctive essential oils of aroma-therapeutic, organic and healing indigenous Cape Botanicals that refresh, sooth and rejuvenate and provide advanced skin repair with lasting benefits.

Gentle cleansing

During winter when the skin is dryer, it is wise to switch to a more nourishing, hydrating cleanser such as Sknlogic Gentle cleanse cream. This is a sulphate free, pH balanced, cleanser that removes impurities without disrupting the skin’s moisture barrier so as not to strip the skin of moisture.

Key ingredients include fig extract, vitamins C & E, olive oil, shea butter, rosehip, blackcurrant oils and lactic acid. PB