There are lots of upsides to winter: coordinated tracksuits stylish enough to wear outdoors, nights spent on the couch binge-watching Stranger Things with a glass of wine in hand, and après-ski getaways to the slopes.
But sadly, our skin sometimes struggles to survive the onset of the winter chill.
Sudden drops in temperatures and humidity, an increase in wind and rain and even the harsh change in environment between our toasty apartments or offices and the outside air can wreak havoc on our complexion.
But there are ways to keep our skin happy and healthy, even as we enter the season of hibernation, and it’s all to do with boosting skin hydration levels.
(And yes, we have a hydrating serum designed to help do just that…)
Hyaluronic Acid: The Hydration Hero
“It’s not uncommon for skin to feel dry during the winter months, mainly due to a lack of humidity in the air,” says SkinCeuticals Scientific and Education Communication Manager, Dr Tania Romano.
“This lack of humidity actually reduces the amount of water our skin is exposed to via our environment, causing irritation and dryness.”
This lack of moisture can make our fine lines and wrinkles appear more prominent.
But there are few “hero” skincare ingredients that can help us up the hydration levels in our skin to keep these issues at bay, like hyaluronic acid.
“Hyaluronic acid is naturally found in our skin, where it is responsible for keeping our skin hydrated,” says Dr Romano.
“Unfortunately, hyaluronic acid levels decline as we age, which doesn’t serve us well during the winter months.”
Attaching itself to water in cells to make them plump, the molecule can hold one thousand times its weight in water, so not only is it a powerful moisturising agent for our skin, but it helps it to stay hydrated for longer, too.
Applying it topically via serums and moisturisers or other skincare products can help our skin function at its best.
SkinCeuticals HA Intensifier is a multi-correction, hydrating serum that encourages the skin’s hyaluronic acid levels.
“HA Intensifier improves hyaluronic acid levels in the skin by 30 per cent*, improving hydration and moisture retention, helping to combat the effects of the dry winter air,” says Dr Romano.
HA Intensifier: Your Winter Skin Essential
The triple action, corrective hyaluronic acid serum combines 1.3 per cent pure hyaluronic acid with botanical extracts, like liquorice root and purple rice extract, and Proxylane™, a sugar molecule that supports the skin’s natural hyaluronic acid levels and maintains the integrity of the skin’s matrix for improved firmness.
That means, HA Intensifier not only hydrates, but also has anti-ageing benefits, reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles while it replenishes and plumps to improve skin’s feel and appearance.
This hydrating serum is backed by SkinCeuticals’ science and research, with one study^ finding HA Intensifier decreased skin sagginess by 9 per cent, improved skin firmness and texture by 11 per cent and 18 per cent, respectively, after just 12 weeks of use.
Plus, it’s easy to apply, super-absorbent and provides long lasting hydration to skin.
How To Use SkinCeuticals’ HA Intensifier
SkinCeuticals HA Intensifier can be used morning and night, after cleansing and exfoliating.
As part of a morning routine, first apply a Vitamin C serum (like the C E Ferulic Vitamin C Serum) to protect against environmental damage and the signs of ageing. Then, apply four to six drops of HA Intensifier to the palm of your hand, and gently press into your forehead, cheeks, chin, and neck.
Massage any excess serum in an outward direction, then follow with a moisturiser such as the SkinCeuticals Daily Moisture Cream to seal in hydration and finish with a broad-spectrum SPF50 sunscreen to protect against future UV-induced signs of ageing.
Then, consider your winter skin routine, sorted.
Brought to you by SkinCeuticals.
* Protocol: A 4-week study on 12 females, ages 45-65. 4mm Punch biopsies collected at baseline and after 4 weeks of daily application of HA Intensifier to the forearm. Hyaluronic acid content was quantified by commercially available ELISA kit. Hyaluronic acid localization was visualized using biotinylated hyaluronic acid binding protein and streptaviden-conjugated horse radish peroxidase.
^ Protocol: A 12-week, single-centre study was conducted on 59 females, ages 42-60, with mild to moderate facial sagging and loss of firmness, rough skin texture, nasolabial fold wrinkles, marionette wrinkles, and presence of fine lines/wrinkles in the crow’s feet area. H.A. Intensifier was used twice daily in conjunction with Gentle Cleanser and a sunscreen. Efficacy and tolerability evaluations were conducted at baseline and at weeks 4, 8, and 12.
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