Now that we’ve transitioned from summer and soon into winter, it’s time to change up our skincare routine a bit. It’s about that time to rotate your moisturizer, toner and even cleanser as the seasons do too and while some may be oily year round others get drier skin as the temperature drops even breakouts and skin rashes! Like any other day, our personal hygiene routines are quite repetitive and usually don’t change much once we find what works for us and our individual schedules. Below we’ve listed some do’s and don’ts that can really make an impact on your daily routines.
Washing your face
One of the most important things to do and is often done in the shower, because, why not? You’re already submerged in the water right? If you’re like me and love indulging in a hot shower, it turns out that it may irritate your skin more. Hot water can cause redness and irritation. High temperatures can even pop blood vessels in your face if it's being washed too aggressively!
Use caution and if you’re going to wash your face in the shower and proceed to a cooler temperature. Foaming Vitamin C Cleanser to start the day with a citrus burst, anyone? So refreshing and will wake you right up.
Cold Showers
If only for 30 seconds, a cold shower can actually be beneficial to your skin and hair. A brief surge of cold water can improve your immune function, increase metabolism, and increase how much stress your body can tolerate. Which for some people means- fewer breakouts due to stress. Who knew? If you’re a morning person this might be the perfect way to pump yourself up at the start of your day.
Over-Exfoliating
Do not exfoliate every day! It is not needed and can end up irritating your skin even more. Our skin naturally exfoliates itself and renews approximately every 27 days, so, essentially if you exfoliate every day and too aggressively, you're going after brand new skin cells. It will actually be more beneficial if you let the dead cells build up on your face before exfoliating so you have something there worth scrubbing. Its recommended to exfoliate once a week, three, tops.
OFRA Radiance Face and Body Scrub can be used in or out the shower and has light exfoliating beads with moisturizing ingredients to help reduce build-up, pigmentation and improves circulation. When used as a body scrub it can aid in reducing cellulite, and eliminate ingrown hairs when used prior to waxing. With so many skin loving ingredients your skin will be left feeling soft and renewed!
Rubbing your skin & hair with a towel
Everyone has their method of drying off once they get out the shower whether it be wrapping your self up and air drying while doing your other usual routine things or immediately rubbing down all moisture with a towel. Not the most ideal method since you want to keep your skin as hydrated and irritated free as possible! It's best to moisturize right after a shower while your skin is still warm for the best absorbency. It’s important to replenish any moisture loss from the high water temperature. OFRA Hydra-Nourishing Body Lotion will do the trick. Don’t forget to follow up with your usual face routine (toner, serum, moisturizer) as well!
Using SPF
Applying SPF as part of your morning moisturizer has great skincare benefits. But applying once won't cut it! Sunscreen should be reapplied on a regular basis for the utmost skin protection. Even during the winter season, though it's colder, SPF is still needed as the sun's UV rays reflect off of snow which makes them more harmful and even through the clouds can affect your skin.
OFRA offers a number of products that contain SPF like the Advanced Vitamin C Cream SPF 20 great for day and night use and perhaps some touch-ups throughout the day keeping you protected and moisturized - a key, especially during the cold seasons.
Seasons change and our skin does too. It’s important to keep treating it with the utmost love! How many of you are now reconsidering your daily routine? Let OFRA help you make the change.
