Five Steps to Glowy Spring Skin with The Skin Culturist
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By Cherelle Mukoko on 19th April 2023
Beauty & Lifestyle contributor, Cherelle Mukoko, shares her top skincare tips & tricks with The Skin Culturist for the upcoming spring & summer months.
Although April showers are still among us, we can only hope that the sun will begin to shine soon… but how can we begin to prep our skin for when the first signs of spring begin to emerge?
I visited The Skin Culturist, a gorgeous boutique clinic tucked away in a scenic side road in Maida Vale. The classic coastal interior aesthetic made me feel right at home, and ready to prepare my skin for spring.
The cold and harsh winter we had meant I was constantly layering on moisturisers and serums, exposing my skin to artificial heat and lacking exposure to Vitamin D. A build-up of dead skin cells led to a dull and dehydrated complexion that was often congested, causing breakouts and other skin issues, so how did we tackle this?
My consultation began with Dr Kam, a fantastic and informative dentist and master of facial aesthetics and skin health. Together, we identified my current skin issues using The Skin Culturist’s state of the art technology, and set out a plan of how I was going to get the very best skin.
Reveal Fresh New Skin
Regular and gentle exfoliation with an enzymatic mask, or lactic acid-based peel, can immediately brighten your skin. The skin can easily lose its glow and dewy appearance for many reasons, particularly when the natural cellular renewal cycle slows down with age. At the Skin Culturist - they use Environ Cool Peels (lactic acid based), ideal for hydrating and refining. They repair cells and encourage cell exfoliation to reveal fresh, youthful, and radiant looking skin.
There are so many types of facials and new-tech on the market, that we forget about the old school facials that are guaranteed to give you results. My consultation was followed by a 90 minute bespoke facial catered to my skin concerns, and I can honestly say it’s an investment you will not regret. I walked out of that clinic with new skin.
Let’s Get Sculpting
Regular facial massaging and the use of gua sha stones help to drain puffiness and toxins. By massaging your skin, it encourages blood flow to the skin, and thus more oxygen, and more nutrients to the tissues. Furthermore, it will also assist in the absorption of your skincare products, whilst sculpting your jaw and cheekbones; a win-win!
Layering isn’t Just for Your Outfits
A multi-step skincare routine should be the norm! Layering products, especially serums and retinols, increases absorption and ensures your products fully absorb into your skin to optimise their impact.
With higher moisture levels in the air as the weather gets warmer, try to opt for lighter products to avoid your skin feeling heavy and congested. Serums are fabulous products to incorporate into your routine if you haven’t already. There are so many different formulas—ones to hydrate, balance, anti-age and brighten. But my favourite is The Ordinary’s hyaluronic acid serum, that I use both in the morning and at night to provide the ultimate boost in hydration.
Stay Hydrated and Eat a Nutritious Diet
By drinking between 2-4 litres of water a day, your body and skin will remain relatively hydrated, helping to maintain your skin's elasticity. A healthy diet is hugely important when it comes to getting gorgeous, healthy, and radiant skin as the foundations of great skin start from the inside out. Fruits like mango, that are packed with vitamin C and rich in carotenoids like beta-carotene, optimise skin health, and encourage a natural skin glow. If you're somebody who struggles to get in 2 litres of water a day, invest in a metal tumbler with a straw, such as the Stanley Cup, as it can encourage you to drink larger quantities throughout the day.
Be safe, use protection!
Whether you're a serial skincare lover or not, the one thing you should never leave the house without is SPF. For my particular skin type and skin concerns it’s factor 50 and nothing less, but at the minimum, SPF 30 will also be effective. If you're spending money on expensive skincare and facials, and not wearing an SPF, you’re wasting your money and time! SPF will offer the ultimate protection, which in turn will only enhance and compliment your routine.
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