Submit your skincare questions to Dr. Agnes, CEO of Herborium and natural medicine expert
Spring is here. Summer is coming. The seasons where heat and humidity can play havoc on oily and acne prone skins. Our skin is the largest organ of the body and is composed of many components – water, lipids and proteins. The top layer of the skin, the one that you see, plays a vital role in your health. It protects our insides from germs and infections. It regulates body temperature, maintains water and electrolyte balance, and helps us sense pleasure and pain. The body’s largest organ is always working for you. Growing new skin cells. Shedding old ones. Did you know that your skin renews itself around every 28 days? Always a non-stop effort to protect you from the outside world. But without proper skin care and a healthy diet, skin problems can occur.
There are many treatments that can help with acne prone skin. Which one is best is greatly dependent on the type, from mild to chronic. But if you have clear skin and just want to maintain it, then there are many options out there that have helped many. First is know the skin types, and whether it is seasonal. Spring/Summer is where heat and humidity can play havoc, oily skin is common, so having a lighter moisturiser and cleanser, can maintain a good Summer skin. Dryer skins are common in Winter, which is where a thicker moisturiser may be required. So what to do now once your skin is clearer, but still oily, have a skin care routine that can be renewing and maintaining skin health.
Skin Care is as important as brushing your teeth. Skin is dealing with the outside world on a day-to-day basis. It deals with heat, cold, pollution, sun exposure, and sweat. So inconjunction with AcnEase’s maintenance program - a simple skin care routine can help through the Spring/Summer season.
Cleansing with a face wash that has botanicals, including Aloe Vera, can help. Some herbal cleansers feature Willow Bark, which is a natural astringent. It can naturally exfoliate dead skin cells and unblocking of the pores. Pick a cleanser with Salicylic and Beta Hydroxy Acid. These compounds are from fruits and plants (including the humble Willow Bark). After cleaning morning and night, next is the Toner.
The Toner is used as a gateway to maintaining skin health as it wipes away any residue of the cleanser, or it goes deeper inside the pores, so the skin is ready for the moisturizer. Some people skip the Toner, as some face cleansers have this built in. The toner should be alcohol free as it can dry the skin out. If you are wanting to save money, the best toner is Witch Hazel. An astringent that is cleansing and gets right down to the pores to further cleanse.
The Moisturizer is used for protection of the skin. It is used to maintain skin health, even if oily or acne prone. There are light moisturizers that are beneficial for Spring Summer. The thicker ones are better for Winter. Moisturizers on the market now often have anti-ageing claims. They have added ingredients, like collagen and retinol that are to help the skin keep and gain elasticity. That’s what moisturizers can be used for. To maintain healthy skin, or to stop the ageing of the skin.
Once or twice a week, a simple face mask is beneficial to maintaining skin health for those who have oily or acne prone skins. Many now include Green Clay, to cleanse impurities out from the pores. To create a clearer skin. Charcoal has been used for a quick exfoliation. Some face cleansers also have included this ingredient. Using a face mask is a successful way for clear and clean skin.
As Spring is here, and Summer around the corner, don’t forget the Sunscreen.