After months of sun and sea, our skin is ready for a reboot.
Whilst the warmer weather has been a pleasant return this summer (goodbye La Nina), the effects on our skin is anything but.
Sun damage causes your skin‘s natural collagen supply to deplete, resulting in sagging, fine lines and dullness. Experts share their tips to rehydrate your skin, leaving it pillowy and plump.
Spot Dehydration
It doesn’t matter what our skin type, we can all suffer from skin dehydration. “Dehydration is a lack of water in the skin and can occur in all skin types,” says Rachael Lupton, national education manager at Payot. Signs that your skin is lacking moisture start with a feeling. “The most common first signs of dehydration are when the skin feels tight, has a rough texture and looks tired and sallow,” explains Lupton. And it’s best to nip the issue in the bud. “Long-term dehydration may lead to sensitivity and premature ageing, which can cause fine lines and a crepey surface texture to appear.”
Go-to Plumping Ingredients
Scour ingredient lists for these:
Hyaluronic Acid
“My favourite saturating, plumping and long-term thirst-quenching ingredient is plant-based hyaluronic acid,” says Lupton. “Hyaluronic acid is a naturally occurring sugar molecule in our skin, which can hold 1000 times its weight in water and helps support tissue lubrication.” Replenishing our reserves is key, she adds, as hyaluronic acid depletes as we age.
Ceramides
“We see amazing benefits from ceramides in helping to protect skin from trans-epidermal water loss.”
Retinol
“Retinol is one of the most researched anti-ageing ingredients on the market, with proven clinical efficacy in helping to reduce the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines and improve skin texture and natural radiance.”
TRY Payot’s Lisse 10-Day Express Radiance and Wrinkle Treatment, $135.
Wild Pansy
“We’ve seen benefits from ingredients such as wild pansy in helping to stimulate our natural synthesis of hyaluronic acid in the skin.”
Try Payot Lisse Plumping Booster Serum, $135.
Exfoliate
Regular exfoliation will help keep skin soft and glowing. Lupton recommends “a gentle version with soft granules or exfoliation with lactic acid, which is one of the most hydrating AHAs”. Follow with a radiance-boosting vitamin mask. Try Payot Water Power Moisturising and Plumping Sheet Mask, $14.50.
In Clinic
“A skin therapist will explain what is occurring at a cellular level and give you a home-care and treatment program,” says Lupton. She suggests a course of three or four glycolic peels to address dull post-summer skin. “An in-clinic peel will help reduce the appearance of fine lines and add longer-term plumping and hydration benefits to all skin types,” she says.
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