The New Year has rolled in, and with it comes a plethora of resolutions which will surely be broken within a month. The same old same old vows, never truly heartfelt, are uttered aloud to placate the idea that the New Year accompanies a new desire to change. Nice try. How about this year you make a resolution that is worthwhile? On Winter Skin Relief Day there is only one resolution we believe should be heeded: to take skincare seriously, all year round.
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Your skin needs TLC (and no, this does not stand for a Total Lack of Cleansing). In the summer, skincare seems to be easier: people understand the importance of SPF and post-sun-basking moisturisation, however for some the winter is a bit more enigmatic. So what is it that your skin really needs to keep healthy, happy and most importantly, hydrated during these cold months?
Winter can be a hard time to maintain healthy skin. The air is sapped of moisture and as the outside temperatures decrease, the central heating is turned up, throwing our skin into bewilderment. Where the delicate skin on our lips chaps from the blistering winds, we harm them further by licking them in an attempt to add moisture. The hot baths and showers we think warm and soothe can actually drain us of natural oils, leaving us vulnerable to the elements, and resulting in dry, cracked and sore skin.
With all of these elements contributing to the harming of your skin, it makes no sense that many of us just shrug and wait for spring before hydrating and recovering from the annual winter wounds. Especially when the most common inhibitor of a beautiful bronze is a lack of basic skincare and hydration, resulting in roughness and dryness.
To tackle the issue of dehydration, here are a few simple steps which will prevent derma-discomfort throughout the cold months, combat the ageing process and keep skin healthy.
STOP LICKING YOUR LIPS. Not only does this make you look amphibious, but it also does not benefit the skin at all. When lips are dry, chapped or cracked, the answer is to apply a lip balm and leave it to work its magic. Lip balms with a SPF work best as they protect against the environmental elements, forming a barrier between you and the moisture-sapping cold air.
During the winter months, applying a facial moisturiser both morning and evening will nourish your skin, by fighting against cracks, sores and ultimately, ageing. Although your face may be the only thing that is bare in the bleak mid-winter, your body can be just as affected by the cold. Body lotions and barrier creams should therefore be applied frequently, ideally after a bath or shower to replace the natural oils which have been lost due to the hot water. This will keep skin supple, soft and smooth.
No, there is no sun. Yes, SPF is still necessary. This cream should really be dubbed AWPF (All Weather Protection Factor) as it has the ability to protect against wind, rain and snow just as effectively.
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When facing the winter sun, there is a common misconception, with many people believing:
"I don't need to wear sun cream when skiing, it's cold and snowy. There's not sun, I won't burn".
This is wrong. Please don't be this person. The likelihood of sunburn, even without the sun shining, whilst on the slopes is very high. Not only are you higher up and thus, closer to the sun's UV rays, but you must also contend with the cold temperatures, freezing winds and reflections of UV on the snow. This is why seasoned pros are always seen either as a deep shade of beetroot from too much UV exposure, or ghostly white from the inch thick application of suncream. To keep your skin safe, SPF and moisturiser are musts for the mountains.
As per everyday life, these are important for good skin health. Although the sun may be covered by clouds, this does not inhibit UV rays from harming you. Especially in such a dry environment, if your skin is unprotected and dehydrated, burning is inevitable. To combat this, when facing the winter sun always shield yourself with a high SPF and SPF lip balm.
After a day spent in the winter sun, nothing accompanies SPF better than a moisture lock. This nourishes the skin, retaining moisture and allowing for a tan to build evenly.
For those poor people who have suffered with burns and dryness, there is nothing worse than the scorching sensation which accompanies rosy cheeks and peeling skin. To tackle this, applying a soothing aloe gel or After Sun will provide a cooling, comforting effect whilst nourishing the over-exposed skin.
Without the initial base of consistent skincare throughout the winter, it is very unlikely that you will be able to tan to your full potential during the summer, as the skin will not be as nourished. Dehydration is a tan's worst enemy as it prevents even colour development and diminishes the possibility of a long-lasting, golden glow. So to secure yourself a summertime shine, give your skin a little bit of love and load up on the lotions!
Australian Gold Botanial SPF 50 Tinted Face Lotion
Australian Gold SPF 50 Face Guard Stick
Australian Gold Soothing Aloe Aftersun
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It’s always been said that you are what you eat. But why has this phrase never been taken any further? Although a body lotion is not consumed, that shouldn’t mean the importance of ingredient quality diminishes. As Self Care Week begins, we should take time out to consider the benefits of not only what we consume, but what we apply to our bodies.
Not only does using a moisturiser or lotion prevent dry skin and combat the ageing process, but it also encourages an even, prolonged tan. Although the summer is at an end, applying lotion will improve the overall health of the skin, helping to lengthen your peachy glow into the bleak mid-winter. Adding a lotion into your daily routine will also protect your skin’s radiance from the harmful environmental effects of the sun and the wind.
Here at Australian Gold, our products are derived from Biosine Complex which has four main ingredients - The Four Giants of our lotions. Together these elements combat (to name but a few issues) inflammation and a loss of elasticity, collagen and moisture.
This incredible plant has fantastic healing and soothing properties which moisturise the skin without leaving a greasy feel and combat the ageing process. It is crammed full of Vitamin A and C and is a powerful anti-inflammatory. Known as The Plant of Immortality, Aloe Vera’s anti-ageing properties nourish the skin, encouraging the production of collagen and elastin. What’s more it’s ability to penetrate the water-retaining layer of skin allows moisture to deep root itself, restoring complexion. Aloe is (unsurprisingly,) particularly prevalent in our Aloe Collection which contains 200x concentrated pharmaceutical and food grade aloe. This concentration of aloe vera helps to deeply condition as well as protect from fine lines and wrinkles for a youthful complexion.
As a natural chemical compound, panthenol is able to improve the effects of skin damage such as chafing or roughness. It strengthens the epidermis and improves the skin’s protective barrier, which subsequently reduces inflammation and improves skin hydration due to the reduction of water loss. Alongside this, this chemical is able to absorb 40x its own cell weight in moisture and uses this to deeply moisturise and rejuvenate the skin. This ability to enhance the skins moisture contributes greatly to the skins health and getting a long-lasting glow.
We go back to our roots (literally) through the use of this natural essential oil as it is derived from the Australian plant Melaleuca Alternifolia. Tea tree oil has anti-bacterial and anti-viral properties which are not only great for skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis but also fight tan odour caused during the tanning process- when using a sunbed, the skin oxidises, causing odorisation. Due to tea tree oil's anti-bacterial qualities, our lotions combat this reaction to tanning. In addition to this, tea tree oil is also a natural pH balancer which balances skin oils, ensuring the skin remains hydrated.
This natural anti-oxidant is the closest natural simulator to sebum, meaning the skin absorbs it easily. Olive oil penetrates deep into the skin and adds vitamins A, D, E and K as well as other essential nutrients. This is also a great natural treatment for skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis as the oil protects against cell oxidation, preventing itching and discomfort. Not only do the anti-oxidants protect the skin against environmental skin damage, but the oils ability to nourish skin fights against the ageing process and restores skin health, ensuring for an even, golden tan.
As well as these Four Giants, all of our lotions contain a plethora of other natural ingredients, all of which encourage rejuvenation and hydration for healthy, happy skin.
Credit:
https://www.dermascope.com/ingredients/aloe-vera-the-plant-of-immortality
http://www.smartskincare.com/treatments/topical/panthenol.html
https://australian-bodycare.com/uk/tea-tree-oil-good-skin/
http://www.internationaloliveoil.org/estaticos/view/97-olive-oil-and-ageing
https://www.healthline.com/health/olive-oil-benefits-face#benefits
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