We are blessed to live in a sun-drenched country, but more often the Australian summer can leave us feeling a little more sun-burnt than sun-kissed. Along with scary long term health side effects, over exposure to the sun has a serious effect on the quality of our complexions. UV light exposure causes not just wrinkles and fine lines but redness, broken capillaries and pigmentation – along with garden-variety dehydration. Do you feel your skin may be suffering the consequences of a summer well-spent? If so read on for recommendations that will help your skin heal, so you’ll be fresh faced come Spring.
Post-Summer Skincare Problem 1: Pigmentation
Post-Summer Skincare Solution 1: Aspect Dr, Active C Serum
Vitamin C is one of the most popular antioxidants used in skincare for a reason. It aids your skins repair process, and is a derm approved treatment for those nuisance brown spots. Vitamin C boosts the production of collagen in the skin and neutralizes the effects of free radical damage – which is everything you need for a restored complexion.
Layer a vitamin C Serum under your sunscreen for added protection from free radicals and UV radiation during the day (note: Vitamin C is NOT a sunscreen replacement, but it has been shown to boost sunscreens efficacy. Think of it as sunscreens little helper). Aspect’s Active C serum contains oil-soluble Vitamin C, less irritating than water soluble, and is ph neutral. Nourishing and soothing without being greasy the formula combines Vitamin C with peptides and antioxidants – so you’re covered on all fronts.
Post-Summer Skincare Problem 2: Redness and Broken Capillaries
Post-Summer Skincare Solution: Aspect Redless Serum with Sea Buckthorn
Designed for skin heading “for a nervous breakdown” this serum will shield stressed out skin, by soothing the dermis and protecting skins barrier function. One of the signs of post-summer skin is increased redness and broken capillaries. Aspect’s “Redless” serum targets inflammation in the skin with a host of antioxidants including Coenzyme Q10 and a blend of 21 different botanical oils. Layer on top of your night serum for intensely nourishing protective blanket. Think of it as a reset button for the skin.
Post-Summer Skincare Problem 3: Dullness
Post-Summer Skincare Solution 3: Cosmedix Purity Detox Scrub
Dullness in the skin can occur for a host of reason – dryness, dehydration, lack of sleep, poor diet and sun damage. I don’t know about you but these are all things I associate with the party season we are exiting. What’s more, in winter the sun is weaker which means we can ramp up our exfoliating efforts. Powder cleansers are a fairly recent innovation in the beauty industry. They are wonderful for gentle exfoliation, not to mention perfect for those struggling to find loopholes for carry on skincare. The Cosmedix Purity Detox Scrub is a particularly nifty example of the powder cleanse category. It contains Poppy, Date and Jjoaba seeds as well as a salicylic acid and coconut extract.
The formula lathers slightly with water and can be added to your favorite daily cleanser to give it a de-congesting boost. The salicylic acid provides a deep cleanse (salicylic acid is the only skincare acid that cleanses inside the pore, as well as the surface of the skin) while the coconut extracts hydrate and balanced. You wont be left feeling over stripped as we move into the dryer weather, and your brighter skin dreams will be revealed to you. Ingenious.
Post-Summer Skincare Problem 3: Dryness and Dehydration
Post-Summer Skincare Solution 3: Cosmedix Restore Moisture Rich Mask
Our skin is often dryer in summer for a multitude of reasons. Firstly, it’s hotter so our bodies are using up water at a faster rate. Secondly, there are a host of activities associated with summer that might lead to dehydration (did anyone say froze???). And thirdly? We tend to avoid richer skin treatments in summer, especially in Sydney where a thick moisturizer can seem like a sweaty disaster waiting to happen. So seize the opportunity provided by cooler weather to soothe and restore your skin with a deeply hydrating night treatment. Cosmedix’s Moisture Rich mask uses vitamins and essential fatty acids to protect and cocoon the skin. I recommend using this as an overnight treatment, the buttery formula glides on and drenches the skin with hydration. You will wake up feeling refreshed, soothed and renewed.
