If you've lived in New England for over a year, you know how taxing the season changes can be on your skin. Maintaining an even, balanced, healthy complexion isn't exactly rocket science, but it does take a little extra effort in an ever-changing climate. We're here to take the guess-work out of it for you.
We've finally reached the end of May, and although it was filled with confusing April showers for the bulk of the month, we're starting to see some of those long-anticipated May flowers. It's almost as if we went straight from winter to summer. With sudden highs in the 80's, our skin is saying to us, "Uhhhh... what the heck?" And we must answer appropriately!
Sometimes the season change means that you will, personally, only have to alter your skin care regime very slightly, perhaps with the addition of a mask or scrub that you had forgone over the fall and winter. But for some people (and yes, we are in the latter category), the onset of spring means BIG changes.
For the past few months, we've been able to use cream cleansers, hydrating toners, brightening serums, moisture masks, and anti-aging day and night creams. With our generally oily skin, that means that this winter was incredibly dry! Now that the warmer weather is here, it's time to put those bottles in the back of the cabinet and return to the oil-combatting and blemish-fighting items we stashed there in October. But not all of those bottles will be coming back out just yet!
Since it's still fairly early in the season, and our skin is still recovering from those raw winter days, we're going to ease it back down from all that extra hydration. With our oil glands working harder, we do notice more shine around the T-zone (the area in the center of the face, including the forehead, nose, upper lip, and chin). So the cleanser needs to work harder too! We'll be switching to a foaming cleanser, which is much lighter than the cream variety, less likely to sit in pores, and still gentle enough to not irritate the skin that's been punished in the formidable winter wind for months! Choose a type for your specific skin: if you're combination, you may want one that has seaweed in it. The sea algae fibers help to deeply purify pores, while the gentle formula balances skin in areas that are still dry. Try La Mer "The Cleansing Foam."
If you're experiencing all-over oil or acne, don't be shy about diving head-first into a more mattifying type! Choosing a wash suitable for oily to blemish-prone skin will make all the difference in how your other products sit on your skin. A clean face is the perfect canvas for other products that you'll want to add, with other benefits. For example, you may be a grease-ball like me, but you may also want to the skin-tone evening results that accompany richer serums and creams. Don't be afraid to tack on a heavier treatment product once or twice a week to achieve that end result, as long as you're cleaning your face properly beforehand. A great tip for oily customers is to choose a wash that is either gel or foam-based, and laced with a 2% salicylic acid formula to dissolve oil, makeup, and other impurities. This pick from Erno Lazlo is their "Beta Wash," an antiseptic angel that will leave you feeling fresh.
If your skin is still too thirsty to even think about switching from your cream cleanser, then by all means - don't! You know your own face better than anyone, and if it's still tight and dry in the warm weather, there's no reason to switch! We highly recommend trying the Lancôme "Crème Douceur" Cream-to-Oil Massage Cleanser. Just make sure that you're exfoliating at least once a week to get rid of the dead or dry skin patches that can build up. TOP TIP: Use your cream cleanser with the Clarisonic Skincare Brush to get the best of both worlds.
For sensitive skin types, you may fall into either category of the dry and sensitive or the oil-prone and sensitive.Choosing a natural product with soothing ingredients like aloe vera or vitamin E can boost your skin's tolerance and even redness, and generally those washes are available in gel, foam, or cream options to cater to all types of sensitive skin. If you suffer from Rosacea, a fragrance-free option is always best, and choosing something without preservatives, dyes, soap, or alcohol will also be beneficial. We love the Christian Dior Gentle Cleansing Milk. You'll want to stay away from any physical scrubs, but using a natural exfoliant will pick up excess skin cells and keep your complexion clear. We love Bare Escentuals Pure Transformation Night Treatment.
Whichever route you choose, just remember that no matter how oily, acne prone, dry, mature, or sensitive your skin in, you ALWAYS want to follow your cleansing routine with a good moisturizer. What makes it good for you will depend on your specific needs, but across the board, it can't be too wimpy, it can't be the same kind you used 30 years ago before your skin changed, and if it's the only thing you put on your face before embarking on your day, it MUST include sunscreen. But sunscreen is a whole other animal, and we'll save that for another post.
Now go forth and de-grime your faces, people of Earth. As they say, "Cleanliness is next Hottieness." Or... something like that.
xoxo,
the lipgloss ladies
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