Whether you are mourning the end of bright, balmy days or doing side-kicks now that cooler weather is on the way, we all need to give our skin love much-needed love after a season of summer indulgences.   Think salty or chlorinated water, a little too much “Yes way, Rose” or even a beautiful bronze glow that’s starting to look more like a pigment patchwork quilt. Time for repair!

So what are we dealing with now that autumn has arrived?  More often than not, clogged pores, dehydration, hyper-pigmented patches, and of course chapped lips. Luckily, all it takes to reboot skin is a few tweaks to our current skincare routine.

Exfoliate

Those dry dead skin cells that sit on the surface of your skin are not only dulling it, they are blocking the hydrating ingredients from getting in.  We shed approx. 30,000 skin cells a day naturally but this slows down dramatically with age.  It can also slow down in summer as oil, sweat, and makeup join together and act like mortar for the skin cells, binding them tightly together and creating an impenetrable wall.

There are so many ways to exfoliate but the gentlest method is with fruit acids and enzymes, instead of forcing the cells off and causing possible damage to the skin these ingredients gently loosen and digest cells to leave skin softer, smoother and more refined.  Try Phytomer – Vegetal Exfoliant with Natural Enzymes.

Deep Pore Cleansing

No matter how well you cleansed your skin in the last couple of months, deep down, where none of us can see, makeup, impurities, old sweat, and toxins are having a party in your pores. The result?  Skin texture that looks coarse and spongy and never feels clean.  To help clean them out detox your skin with a clay-based mask, or several if you are not afraid to be a multi-masker! Our go-to for deep cleansing is Phytomer Oligopur Flawless Skin Mask with Kaolin Clay.

Rehydrate

Seriously pack it on!  Summer leaves your skin depleted of moisture and not only is this uncomfortable it’s also ageing.  So up your moisturiser game by adding some concentrates beneath and get out the hydrating masks.  Don’t forget your body too!  After your shower, smother your damp skin from neck to toes with rich balms and body oils.  Did you know the skin’s outer layer swells open when it’s damp allowing products to penetrate better?

We love Phytomer – Hydra Original Thirst-Relief Melting Cream and Hydrasea Thirst-Relief Rehydrating Mask for the face and the heavenly texture and aroma of Phytomer – Trésor Des Mers Beautifying Oil for the body.

Check the damage!

Unfortunately, you can’t undo the damage that UV rays cause, which is why a Broad Spectrum sunscreen is your most important skin care product.   And, it’s important to keep your eyes open for any changes to your skin.  A visit to a dermatologist for a skin cancer check should be a priority for every Australian and while it may seem a nuisance could be lifesaving.

You can however help minimize the visible appearance of sun damage on the skin’s surface with little effort. To help fade the look of dark spots and even skin tone, use a hyperpigmentation formula such as Vie Collection – Laser Light Concentrate.

Keep up protection

Even though it’s not summer anymore it doesn’t mean you should stop using your SPF.  Reach for it every day and ensure your skin care is always loading with anti-oxidants.  The combination of both will decrease skin ageing by a whopping 90%.  Our go-to is Vie Collection – Vita C Concentrated Solution.  You can put a few drops in your regular moisturiser or apply it beneath for a brighter complexion.  It also has the added benefit of fading hyperpigmentation and stopping ageing free radicals in their tracks.

Eyes and Lips

Our lips lack melanin so they are especially susceptible to sun damage and after several months of hot weather are also prone to deep dryness.  Squinting, sweating and the sun can also cause damage to the fragile eye area.  So give these areas some TLC.  Reach for nourishing lip colour instead of drying mattes, apply SPF over your lips and at night offer some much needed repair.  Phytomer – Youth Contour Reviving Wrinkle Correction Cream – Eye and Lip is our favourite because it is formulated to calm, soothe and replenish delicate skin.