9 Spring Skin Care Tips for a Post-Winter Glow
If spring has sprung, that means a break from the cold, dry winter air that may have turned your skin dull and rough. It’s the perfect time to undo the effects of the previous season and prep your face for warmer days ahead.
With a few simple steps, you can smooth and hydrate your skin to reveal a fresh new face.
- Exfoliate winter-worn skin. Use a gentle exfoliating face wash such as wederm Exfoliating Cleanser to remove dead skin cells and reveal the new cells beneath. Make small circles with your finger pads as you wash.
- Embrace hyaluronic acid for your face. A facial moisturizer with hyaluronic acid will attract water and give you dewy plumpness. Check out Neutrogena’s Hydro Boost products or wederm Pure Hydration hyaluronic acid serum.
- Consider a rejuvenating facial treatment. A chemical peel will slough off dead skin, fade age spots and allow a newer, brighter layer of skin to shine through. Another option is a HydraFacial treatment which exfoliates the skin and reduces fine lines and wrinkles. Make an appointment with a dermatologist or cosmetic dermatology provider to determine which treatment will best suit your skin type and concerns.
- Switch from a cream to a lotion. If you’ve been using moisturizing cream on your body, it may be time to switch to a moisturizing lotion, which is lighter, unless your skin is very dry or sensitive. A cream is still ideal for rough areas such as the feet.
- Spring clean your makeup and skin care products. Discard any products you typically use in cold weather that will be past their prime next winter. You should also toss any sunscreen that is more than three years old or is expired. Throw out any makeup that’s almost used up, especially mascara and lipstick, as these can harbor bacteria. Wipe down the inside of your makeup bag or run it through the laundry if it’s machine washable. Wash your makeup brushes and sponges, too.
- Break out the sunscreen and lip balm. You need sunscreen year-round, of course. It’s also smart to use lip balm with 30 SPF or higher to prevent chapped lips and lip cancer. If you didn’t use it throughout the winter, start using it now. Consider a tinted lip balm for a seasonal pop of color.
- Update your wardrobe. If buying a new wide-brimmed hat and fashionable sunglasses will inspire you to wear them, it’s well worth the investment. When it comes to sunglasses, the bigger the frames, the better.
- Eat your fill of fresh produce. In spring, grocery stores and farmer’s markets are bursting with skin-nourishing fruits and vegetables. Foods rich in vitamin C, such as lemons, broccoli, kiwis and bell peppers, promote collagen production, which helps keep skin from sagging. Cherries and most berries are rich in anthocyanins, pigments that pack antioxidants and benefit the skin in a rainbow of ways.
- Drink more water as the temperature rises. The body needs more fluids when you sweat. While drinking more water won’t plump your skin unless you are severely hydrated, it will help your body flush toxins and could lead to a clearer complexion.
Written by Maura Rhodes, a New Jersey-based writer and editor specializing in health and well-being.
Tips for Choosing the Best Anti-Aging Skincare Products
We all want to look our best and keep our skin youthful, but selecting the right anti-aging skin care products and developing an anti-wrinkle regimen can be daunting. There are so many products out there, it’s difficult to know where to start. Today we’re sharing dermatologists’ top tips for choosing the best anti-aging skincare products in order to maximize your results for healthy, beautiful skin.
- Start with sunscreen: Exposure to the sun speeds up the process of natural aging of your skin, causing wrinkles and uneven pigmentation. Dermatologists agree that sunscreen is the most-effective anti-aging product you can buy. Use sunscreen on exposed skin year-round when outdoors. Choose sunscreen that includes:
- Broad spectrum – blocks UVA and UVB rays
- Non-comedogenic, sensitivity-free, fragrance-free and paraben-free
- SPF 30 or higher
- Water resistant
- Add a moisturizer: Though moisturizers can’t prevent wrinkles, they can help minimize fine lines. This is so effective that moisturizer often is the secret ingredient in many anti-aging products. We recommend moisturizers with Hyaluronic Acid because they help to smooth and plump fine lines and wrinkles. If you use a tinted moisturizer for your face, be sure to select one with a built-in SPF of at least 15.
- Treat your #1 aging-skin concern: It’s important to remember that a regimen to rewind fine lines or fade sun-damaged spots can take time, and compliance is key! Too often, regimens are not followed because of skin irritation and over-doing it on intensive, results-oriented products. Acclimation is important before introducing more products that can create more inflamed skin.
- Buy products formulated for your skin type: No one product works for everyone. Select a sunscreen, moisturizer, and other anti-aging skin care products that are formulated for your skin type. If your skin tends to be oily, select a moisturizer made for oily skin. If you have sensitive skin, you want to see the words “sensitive skin” on the label.
- Read product labels: Look for products that offer all of the following:
- Hypoallergenic – the product can still cause an allergic reaction, but the risk is lower
- Non-comedogenic or non-acnegenic – the product does not cause acne
- Consumer hotline number – contact for questions regarding the product
- Not tested on animals
- Buy anti-aging products from a cosmetic practice: It’s always better to purchase anti-aging products from a cosmetic practice rather than over the counter or in a spa. Qualified aestheticians can help create a personalized skincare plan that is right for your skin type and targets your key skin concerns. Additionally, they can recommend medical treatments with a well-rounded approach that encompasses wrinkles and brown spots, prescription creams, serums, injectables and fillers as well as skin-resurfacing and can guide you to the right combination of treatments for you.
Schedule a skin assessment today at Water’s Edge Dermatology. We can help create a skincare regimen that fits your lifestyle and recommend the best products for you. Click here to request an appointment.