A famous facial practitioner who boasts Kim Kardashian, Rosie Huntington-Whitely and Victoria Beckham as clients has revealed how to take care of your skin in the cooler months.
Melanie Grant – who has studios in Sydney, Melbourne, Paris and LA – said winter can be a difficult time for your skin because when the mercury drops, our complexions can become ‘dry, dehydrated and dull due to a lack of humidity in the air ‘.
“Moving into the cooler months, I like to adjust my skincare routine so that it’s in line with the seasonal shifts by adding nutritious, hydrating ingredients to keep the skin dewy and glowing even when the temperature drops, said Melanie.
A famous face practitioner who boasts Kim Kardashian and Victoria Beckham as clients has revealed how to take care of your skin in the cooler months (Melanie Grant in the photo)
She recommends looking for moisturizing formulas that list ingredients like squalene, hyaluronic acid and peptides.
“Keeping a hydrating mist on your desk and replenishing it as needed is another great way to compensate for the drying effect of air conditioning and keep your skin extinguished and plump throughout the day,” she told the Courier Mail said.
“Incorporating a face oil, rich in essential fatty acids, is a great way to support barrier function and keep your summer face cream working throughout the winter by boosting its nutrient density and moisturizing properties.”
If you have the time – and money – to invest in an LED mask, it’s also a great way to reduce inflammation caused by dry air and changing temperatures.
‘Winter is also a good time to schedule courses of remedial treatments such as Picoway, SRA (Skin Rejuvenation Advance) to address summer pigmentation, and re-texturing treatments such as Sublative and Collagen Induction, where you can afford the social downtime indoors , ‘she said.
FEMAIL previously spoke to Melanie about the best way to combat dry skin in the cooler months.
If you have the time – and money – to invest in an LED mask, it’s also a great way to reduce inflammation caused by dry air and changing temperatures.
1. Strengthens hydration
The first thing Melanie said that you absolutely must think about in the cooler months is to boost your hydrating elements in your skin care.
“Exposure to icy winds and indoor heating robs the skin of moisture and strips it of its vital oils,” Melanie explained.
To counteract this, you need to look for nutritious ingredients to add moisture back into the skin and help restore healthy barrier function.
Good options are a hyaluronic acid serum, squalane, ceramides and oils like jojoba.
“You should also trade your water-based gel cream for a richer, nourishing formula, or your frothy cleanser for a cleansing balm, oil or milk,” Melanie said.
2. Hold peeling case
The second thing you need to think about is gentle exfoliation.
Melanie said you do not want to do anything too hard when winter wears off your skin, but you should encourage skin turnover by making sure you do gentle exfoliation two or three times a week.
“The skin barrier function slows down in winter, which can cause an accumulation of cells that build up on the skin’s surface beyond their expiration date, leading to dry, scaly skin,” Melanie said.
“Regular exfoliation helps to polish away these unwanted cells, and also improves the penetration of the products you apply afterwards, such as serum and moisturizer.”
If you have sensitive skin, Melanie recommends that you choose a chemical exfoliator, which is actually softer than physical exfoliators.
She loves Biologique Recherche’s P50 Lotion for this reason, and said you should look for products that contain lactic, glycolic or polyhydric acid.
Melanie said you do not want to do anything too hard when winter wears off your skin, but you should encourage skin turnover by making sure you do gentle exfoliation two or three times a week.
3. Add an oil
Third, Melanie religiously adds a facial oil to her winter skin care regimen, as it is one of the best and most luxurious ways to nourish your skin.
“Take a few moments to massage the product into the skin, and encourage the fatty acids, vitamins and antioxidants to work their magic,” she said.
Melanie said oils work for every skin type, even oily skin, as it helps to include hydration and prevent any moisture loss.
4. Take care of your lips
Our lips are famously dry and cracked when it is cold.
Melanie said you can keep it in check by gently exfoliating your lips with a homemade scrub of honey and brown sugar, and then applying either a lip mask or heavy lip balm overnight.
“Always keep a lip balm with nutritious ingredients like beeswax, shea butter and vitamin E on hand for re-application during the day,” Melanie said.
This should mean that your lips look and feel better even when cold.
5. Avoid hot showers
While it’s tempting to have a hot shower when it’s cold and you’ve just come in, Melanie said it’s actually detrimental to staying well in the winter.
“Prolonged contact with hot water can actually strip the skin of moisture, so try to keep your water lukewarm or keep your showers short,” Melanie said.
You can also exchange your body wash for a nourishing shower or bath oil, and you should also apply a rich body cream or oil right after you come out, ideally when your skin is still a little moist to include hydration.
Finally, the facial practitioner (photo) said you should never forget sunscreen, even if it is winter and cloudy or cloudy
6. Do not forget sunscreen
Lastly, the famous face person said you should never forget sunscreen, even if it is winter and cloudy or cloudy.
“Apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen every day, regardless of the weather, and it will help prevent unnecessary damage,” Melanie said.
Melanie previously shared the six-step home facial that you need to do while you are at home to see results.
“A self-treatment at home once a week is the best way to improve your face between treatments while you can not get a real face,” Melanie told FEMAIL.
Her regimen involves a double cleansing, exfoliation, massage, masking, misting and serum and a finishing cream.
To find out more about Melanie Grant, visit her website here. You can also follow her on Instagram here.
The six-step home facial you should try
STEP ONE: DOUBLE CLEANING – Melanie first recommends something softer like a milk or an oil to break down the SPF, oils and contaminants from the day, before following it with something more ‘active’ that contains acids and will ‘deep clean your pores’ ‘.
Melanie (photo at work) shared the six-step facial you need to know
STEP TWO: EXPLORE The second stage of any home ministry should be exfoliation, which according to Melanie ‘is the key to getting a brighter, brighter and fresher complexion’. “Depending on your preference and skin type, choose a manual, chemical or enzymatic formula to wipe away and metabolize any dead, damaged cells and allow active ingredients to penetrate more effectively,” she explained.
STEP THREE: MASSAGE – Melanie’s third step is one that many facial and dermatologists swear by – facial massage. “A simple, purposeful massage is the easiest way to improve blood flow, move stagnant lymph, relieve tension and lift and tone the skin,” she said. “Your massage can last anywhere from two minutes to 10 minutes, depending on how much time you have.”
STEP FOUR: MASKS – If you only add one thing to your regimen, it should be a mask. “Masking is a great way to fill the skin with vital nutrients with very little effort.” When choosing a mask, she advocates that you focus on what your skin needs, or mix and match to target several concerns at once.
STEP FIVE: MYSTIC AND SERUM – Melanie said that a hydrating mist can work wonders by ‘plumping, replenishing and hydrating’ your skin. She loves rose water that is pressed into the face, followed by a serum on the face, neck and décolleté.
STEP SIX: FINISHING CREAM “It will include all the essential lipids, antioxidants and active ingredients you have just administered,” Melanie said. If you did not have the time to do the massage phase, Melanie said now is the time to combine the two with your moisturizing cream.