10 Steps Towards Spring

When it comes to skin, the middle of winter is the perfect time for a bit of spring-cleaning.

Words: Lucy Ewen

Clutching an umbrella or huddled around the fire, it’s difficult to visualize spring. During winter skin can become dry, dull, pale and lacking in elasticity. Take heart. Our 10-step, top-to-toe skin-care programme is all that’s needed to take you from “rough” to “ready for summer”.

 
1. Deal with dust and dirt.  The face is a settling point for dirt, grease and dead skin cells. While neglecting to do something as simple as removing make-up each night won’t really cause acne, it can promote the odd blemish or make problematic skin worse by refusing it a chance to breathe. Find a cleanser and moisturizer that work for your skin – you’ll know because it will instantly feel calmer and more hydrated – and stick with them. Estée Lauder’s Re-Nutriv Intensive Hydrating  Crème Cleanser, $88, and Intensive Softening Lotion, $105, are an effective duo.

2. Embrace new life.  Tired winter faces can glow with a little special treatment. A firming face-mask can refine and moisturize in a matter of minutes. Clarins’ cream-gel Extra- Firming Facial Mask, $85, is enriched with agaric and horsetail to deliver youthful, luminous results. The Clarins’  Truly Matte range also includes a Hydra Matte Pure and Radiant Mask for Combination and Oily Skin, $52. The mask is non-drying and easy to rinse away, leaving skin soft and revived in just a few minutes. 
 
3. Out with the old.  Skin that’s been hidden under winter tights and coats is in no state to see the world. Dead cells cluster on the skin’s surface as it regenerates, leaving it dull. Fighting the flakes is simple with a good exfoliating gel or cream to scrub and buff. Not only does this create a satiny finish, it actually speeds up the skin’s natural processes of forming new cells. L’Oréal Paris Exfotonic $27.99, is a good body exfoliant.
 
4. Hail hydration!  A good all-over body moisturizer is one of the best skin-care investments you can make and is paramount after exfoliation. Humectant moisturizers, like Elizabeth Arden’s Intervene Pause & Effect Moisture Cream and Lotion, $99, are best because they prevent moisture escaping from the skin and also absorb it into the skin’s upper layers. They will leave skin supple and less prone to dryness or painful cracks.
 
5. The small things.  Hands undergo more wear and tear than just about anywhere else and skin often feels cracked and dry during winter. Moisturizing hand creams can do wonders, leaving them soft and sensuous. Try Lancôme’s Caresse Hand Cream, $55, or La Mer’s The Hand Treatment, $175.

6. Fix the faults.  When dealing with the skin around the body’s centre, one word springs to every woman’s lips: cellulite. This is basically a fat deposit that develops slowly while surrounding fibrous protein shrinks, creating that uneven orange-peel effect around the stomach, butt and upper thighs.  Fortunately, a blitz on cellulite is possible. Most anti-cellulite products contain caffeine to drain excess fluid from the fat tissue. Others use plant-derived forskolin which forces fat cells to release fatty fluids themselves. Such products do have skin-firming effects and go hand in hand with regular exercise and a balanced diet. Try La Prairie’s Cellular Microdermabrasion Cream, $450.

7. Look after your assets.  The detrimental effects of sun baking are widely known, but even if you’re not outdoors for long periods at a time, ultraviolet rays can still damage your skin on a daily basis. Wearing sunscreen every day is the best way to avoid wrinkles and skin damage. Choose one with a high SPF such as Clinique’s UV Response Body Cream, $44, or Estée Lauder’s Anti-Aging Sun Lotion for Body, $50, to protect against UVB which burns the skin and UVA which causes inflammation, pigmentation and premature aging.
 
8. Perfect the pale.  Everyone hates the ghostly, transparent appearance of skin at this time of year.  In fact, for many women, being too pale is the root of most skin and body concerns. Tanned skin can mask a great many flaws such as cellulite, uneven skin tone and even absence of muscle definition here and there. Fortunately, fake tanning is a safe alternative to sun worshipping, provided you read the instructions and exfoliate prior to application. Opt for a fake tan containing dihydroxyacetone (DHA), a safe, colourless sugar ingredient that oxidizes and stains the skin’s dead surface cells.
 
9. Everything is beautiful.  Feet can be beautiful too! Attention to skin on the feet is necessary when making the transition from boots to strappy sandals. Heel cracks are a result of foot dehydration and are unattractive, painful to walk on and can increase the risk of skin infection. Celebrate the thought of spring by splashing out on a professional pedicure. 
 
10.  Complement with colour.  What better way to prepare for spring than with a little colour? Youthful, renewed skin deserves a splash of seasonal colour on finger and toenails. Brights are in this season so have fun when selecting nail polishes. Nude is also a fashionable choice for that toned-down-yet-elegant look.