4 Ways Cold Weather Can Benefit Your Skin

Often times when we think winter, we think cracked hands, dry skin, basically all the unsavory skin conditions that the cold inflicts on us. But, since there are many more months of cold weather ahead, we have looked into some of the perks of freezing temperatures. Here are 5 ways that the cold actually helps your skin!

1. Helps Keep Pores Clog-free.

The great news is that the cold weather helps reduce and keeps pores less visible and refined. Acting as a sort of tonic or astringent. the cold weather slows down the secretion of sebum which reduces acne and keeps the shine away.

2. It Can Improve your Sleep.

Getting a full night’s rest is necessary for skin health and wellness, from reducing under eye circles to keeping your skin glowing. High heat during the nighttime is proven to disturb sleep whereas the cold supports the body’s natural temperature drop during sleep. Research shows the colder the temperature in the room, the better sleep you will have.

3. It Can Reduce Puffiness

The cold promotes blood circulation in both the body and the face, which reduces inflammation and swelling!

4. It Can Help With Anti-Aging.
The cold enhances your complexion and rejuvenates your skin. It also slows down the aging process—think of cryotherapy spa treatments or splashing cold water on your face in the morning—and keeps skin tight and vibrant.

The 5 Worst Things You’re Doing To Your Skin

When it comes to your complexion, seeing a dermatologist isn’t the most important thing. What matters most is how you treat your skin every day. Whether you pride yourself in taking careful care of your skin or hardly touch your face, there are common missteps that can seriously mess with your complexion.  By stopping these 5 mistakes, you will be that much closer to healthier, younger looking skin.

Forgetting to wear sunscreen every day, including during winter: 

Although UV rays are much stronger during the summer, they are present and active all year-long. UV won’t turn your skin red but they can cause wrinkling, age spots, and even cancer. Don’t forget that UV rays can penetrate the clouds and glass, so protect yourself with SPF all year round.

 

Taking long, hot showers:

Long, hot showers are a sure-fire way to turn your skin flaky and dry! Hot water strips the oil and moisture from your skin, leaving it itchy. So, if you already have dry skin, the worst thing you can do is take more hot showers. A great rule of thumb; if your mirror steams up, your water is too hot. Turn down the temperature and get out before your skin prunes. After showering, apply lotion!

 

Not getting enough sleep:

Aside from under eye circles, sleeping too little doesn’t allow your skin to repair itself. Nighttime is an important time for your skin as it works to create, mend and shed skin cells. For healthier looking skin, you should get at least 7 hours of sleep a night.

Going to sleep without washing your face:

Although you should be washing your face twice a day (when you wake up and before you go to be), as long as you wash before bed, all is well. Sleeping with impurities, makeup and built up oil will not only disrupt your cell turnover causing your skin to look dull but it will clog your pores and cause black heads.

Attempting to scrub acne away:

Acne is a hormonal issue, not a hygiene problem. That being said, excessively cleaning your skin with soap and other exfoliants will only hurt you not help. Over-cleansing will inhibit medications or other products from clearing your condition. Instead of scrubbing, wash your face gently with a cleanser that contains salicylic acid.

For more information on what you should be doing to keep your skin healthy and happy looking, get a skin consultation from one of our skin care professionals. Book an appointment today.

 

Foods That Brighten Your Complexion

Consuming a well-balanced diet full of key nutrients is not only vital to your health but also to your skin. It is no secret that eating our fruits and vegetable are healthy and packed for of important ingredients, but a few stand out when it comes to brightening and clearing up the surface of your skin. By consuming these foods you may see a vast change in your complexion.

Carotenoids- Veggies that contain the chemical compound carotenoid, such as red peppers, carrots, and sweet potatoes, are proven to cause your skin to glow and appear more golden in color. Recent studies show that people who eat more foods rich in carotenoid have an overall healthier looking, less pale complexion.

Healthy Fats- Healthy fats such as olive oil and avocados are crucial to keeping your skin properly hydrated. The consumption of both carotenoid- rich foods and healthy fats increase the absorption of the compounds within these foods that help with complexion brightening. By eating more avocados you will consume more linoleic acid, which helps the skin hang on to water. The outcome? Plump and radiant skin!

Vitamin C & E- Kiwis, Lemons, Oranges, Mangoes are full of both Vitamin C and E, as well as antioxidants. These three properties naturally block the skin from damage and also rejuvenate it. Vitamin C which can be found in most citrus fruits is a key component to collagen synthesis. Loading up on vitamin C will fight the natural breakdown of collagen and protects you from wrinkles and other signs of aging.

Maintaining a well-balanced diet will certainly pay off down the road. If you are looking for more help with your complexion, contact us at FYBC! Take care of your skin and it will thank you later. Book an appointment with one of our skin care professionals today.

3 Tips To Help Prepare Your Skin For Sun Exposure

Exfoliate and Hydrate

Although neither exfoliating or hydrating your skin can protect you from harmful UV rays, exfoliation and hydration are crucial steps in preparing your skin for sun exposure. Exfoliating is important because it helps remove dead skin cells that build up on the surface of your face after you tan. It is important to remember to not exfoliate before stepping out into the sun, as it removes the protective layer of your skin.

Tanning or any sort of sun exposure has a way of drying out your skin. It is proven that drier skin is more vulnerable to harmful UV rays. By hydrating frequently you are not only moisturizing and replenishing your skin, but you are helping rebuild the protective layer of your skin.

Make Small Diet Changes

It is true that you can improve your skin’s resistance and protect against UV rays by making small changes to your diet! Foods rich in antioxidants, beta-carotene and carotenoids like apricots, peas, carrots, melon, tomatoes, squash, mangos and kale will help your skin when it comes time to reintroduce direct sunlight. Consider consuming more Vitamin E as well. Vitamin E sources like almonds, nuts and vegetable oil offer their own type of protection from the sun.

Slow, Progressive Exposure

The key to maintaining a glow without damaging your skin is to go slow. Progressive sun exposure is the only “safe” way reintroduce your skin to the sun. Keep in mind that you should avoid burning while being in the sun.  Remember that burning increases your risk to skin cancer. Tanning is not good for your skin, so find a great SPF that covers all the UVA and UVB ray spectrum. Keep your sun exposure short and sweet for your safety and your overall look. If you are simply dying to get your summertime glow before spring hits, book an appointment for a spray tan today!