We all know the importance of looking after our hair during the harsh winter months, a quick scroll through the ‘gram will reveal galleries of inspiration for protective styles, but how much thought do we give to protecting our skin? Personally speaking? Sadly, not much! We asked Aesthetician and founder of Black Skin Directory, Dija Ayodele, to share her top eight tips to keep our skin glowing during the winter months.
Let’s face it, the weather appears to be in full havoc mode these last few days and the forecast is that things are going to get colder over the coming weeks before they get better. The impact of the harsh winds, despite layers of warm clothes, means that your skin will be dry and ashen if you don’t look after it properly.
Thankfully, we now have the Black Skin Directory as a resource to guide us on how best to look after our melanin-rich skin. Founded by Dija Ayodele in February 2018 (read our interview), the Black Skin Directory has already won a prestigious industry accolade; the PHI Clinic Award for Professional Initiative of the Year at this year’s Aesthetics Awards. The much-needed platform offers support to people of colour through education and events, but also ensures the clinics and practitioners listed, who have lots of experience in treating skin of colour, are highlighted and promoted to the intended audience.
Read on for Dija’s top eight tips to keep your skin healthy during cold weather.
Establish and follow a basic skincare routine of cleansing with skin type appropriate cleanser
Gently exfoliate with an Alpha Hydroxy Acid such as glycolic or lactic. Treat your skin using a Vitamin A product such as retinol or retinaldehyde. Hydrate with hyaluronic acid, ceramides, peptides, cholesterol and fatty acids e.g Osmosis Immerse and don’t forget to protect with sunscreen.
Continue to combat hyperpigmentation
Use pigmentation serums that prevent excessive melanin from clumping in the skin. For example, Neostrata Illuminating Serum with liquorice extract. Vitamin C, niacinamide and resorcinol will work to prevent hyperpigmentation as well as gently fade existing skin discolouration and brighten the skin.
Don’t forget to apply additional sunscreen
Use a broad-spectrum SPF 30 minimum. It may be cold and grey, but UV rays still penetrate through cloud and glass to age and damage skin cells.
Keep your skin hydrated
You can do this by using hyaluronic acid infused serums before moisturizing. This will prevent skin from drying out and losing moisture to the environment quicker.
Raw Shea on the face? It’s a no, no!
Don’t be tempted to use raw Shea butter, coconut oil or cocoa butter directly on the face. They are comedogenic products, which means that they can clog pores and increase breakouts on acne prone skin.
Follow a rainbow diet
Ensure your diet remains colourful, full of good fats and protein. Heavy winter stodgy food does not feed your skin the nutrients it needs to thrive. Also, maintain a good intake of water as this supports the important functions that your skin performs.
Now’s the time to have those skin resurfacing procedures
Winter is the best time to explore professional cosmetic procedures such as chemical peels and laser treatments. We tend to have a more indoor lifestyle and direct sun exposure is shorter = good!
Don’t forget to massage
Remember to add a gentle pressure as you apply your skincare products. This stimulates more oxygen and nutrients to the base layers of your skin, encouraging more radiance. Extend that massage to your scalp as well to stimulate blood circulation and natural moisturizing oils.
