Spring is right around the corner. I’m sure you can feel it too. We still have several weeks of winter which means there are still chances for big snow and ice storms, even cold rain showers along the coast. That being said it’s important to look at what you are using and plan now for the upcoming spring and summer. Here are three tips to help you get started.
#1 Retinol
There is a mountain of evidence to support the use of retinol. It can help with brown spots, acne, and does wonders for wrinkles. The challenge with retinol is that it can be irritating for the skin and it takes a while to see visible results. In a study published by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), “resulted in significant improvement in fine wrinkles after 12 weeks of treatment.” It’s going to take three months to put those wrinkles in check. That’s the bad news. The good news is that retinol can be applied easily and we are a still couple of months away from summer so you have some time! When using retinol, start off easy. Only use it at night and try it every other night for an hour or so and then wash it off before you go to bed. Another tip for using retinol is start off with a low dose and build up over a period of time. Make sure to always use sunscreen as it will increase your sensitivity to light. Quick tip: if you are unsure of what to use in a regimen take a look at our skin quiz to personalize a program for you.
#2 Moisturizer
During the winter months, humidity can really drop at times. Your skin will attempt to keep moisture locked in and if your skin is dry it will release excess oil. This oil can get trapped in hair follicles and wham! You have acne. Nobody wants that. To avoid this use a non-comedogenic (pore clogging) moisturizer. If you can find one with vitamin B3 (Niacinimide) it’s even better. The niacinimide works as an anti-inflamatory which will help soothe your skin. Quick tip: EltaMD has a great AM therapy moisturizer that has niacinimide, hyaluronic acid and salysilic acid. The hyaluronic acid is an additional moisturizer and the salysilic acid will pull excess oil off your face.
#3 Sunscreen
Just because it’s cloudy outside doesn’t mean you don’t have to wear sunscreen. “Upwards of 80% of ultraviolet rays go right through clouds” and “90% of aging is caused by the sun” according to the Skin Cancer Foundation. Who wants extra aging? If you are out on a cloudy day or are lucky enough to take a skiing trip somewhere put on sunscreen! When looking at what to use try a broad-spectrum, SPF 30 or more product. Physical based sunscreens are the best because they reflect (vs absorb) sun rays with a combination of zinc and titanium. Quick tip: There is a product made by Colorescience called Sunforgettable. It’s a dry sunscreen that you can literally brush onto your face and neck in about 20-30 seconds with no oily residue for your hands. Stuff is amazing.
For the rest of winter
Hopefully you take some cues from this article and they help your skin looking vibrant and healthy! Remember, a good sunscreen, moisturizer, and nighttime retinol can do wonders. Spring and summer are right around the corner so now is the time to take action and get ready for it. If we can be of any help, please use our customized skin care system to help deal with finding the right products-- it can make a huge impact.
Looking forward to the spring,
Team Reflect
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