Oh, the Australian summer — days on end soaking up the sun, surf, and outdoor fun. However, with the end of the season comes the end of that radiant shine that your skin flaunted every second of the way. If summer was spent absorbing those sunrays, chances are your skin desperately needs a bit of extra TLC now that the temperature is dipping: don’t worry, we’ve got you covered.
From simple yet powerful tips and tricks, to a range of professional treatments such as a pico laser treatment in Melbourne, or any other cosmetic treatments you can enjoy in the inner city (i.e. photorejuvenation, microdermabrasion, and microneedling, just to name a few) we have all the deets you need to rejuvenate your skin as we march into those brisk winter months. Read on to find out more!
Hello, Sunshine: The Aftermath on Your Skin
After making the most of the Australian sunshine for months on end, our skin is bound to start looking and feeling a little worse for wear. The triple threat of those harsh Aussie UV rays, saltwater, and sweat is enough to leave your skin dry, damaged, and thirsty for proper hydration. It’s no joke, your precious skin has been through hell and back! But don’t worry – there are plenty of ways to restore your skin’s natural shine and vitality come the end of the summer.
Hydrate, Hydrate, Hydrate!
One of the easiest and most effective ways to revive your skin post-summer is by hydrating it from the inside out. And no, just slathering on moisturiser doesn’t count – although that helps too! What we mean is simply drinking more water to keep your skin hydrated and dewy on the inside. Make sure to carry a reusable water bottle with you everywhere you go and aim to drink at least eight glasses of water a day. Perfect time to get in on that Stanley cup craze, we reckon! This will not only help flush toxins from your body but also plump and enhance your skin, making you look younger naturally. And who wouldn’t like a youthful post-summer glow?
Prioritise Sun Protection
Thought that sun protection ended alongside those balmy 40 degree days? Think again! Unfortunately, those nasty UV rays stop for nobody, come rain or shine. A wide misconception is thinking that if it is cooler and cloudy outside, the risk of being exposed to UV radiation is reduced. Unfortunately, clouds do not prevent ultraviolet rays from reaching your skin, and neither do glass windows.
Direct exposure to UV radiation results in sunburn, premature ageing, and an increased risk of skin cancer. So, it is very important to apply sunscreen daily and follow sun-safe rules all year round. Make sure that the sunscreen is a wide spectrum and has an SPF of 30 or higher – this will protect your skin from both UVA and UVB rays. Whether it’s a picnic with the fam at your local park or a day spent shopping in town, protecting your skin from the sun’s harmful rays should always be a top priority.
Feed Your Skin with Natural Ingredients
In the world of skincare, the best ingredients are sometimes found in your kitchen. So, why not treat your skin to a nourishing do-it-yourself face mask after a whole summer of sunshine. There are tons of recipes for DIY scrubs and masks, but our favourite one includes smashed avocado, honey, and a dash of coconut — the perfect elixir that treats your skin to hydration and antioxidants. Not to mention, you can get all the ingredients on the cheap, which is always a bonus in our books.
But it doesn’t just end there — what you put INTO your body counts just as much! Your eating habits play a vital role in your skin’s complexion and overall well-being. So, be sure to load up on skin-loving foods, such as berries, green leafy veggies, fatty fish, avocado, nuts, seeds, and sweet potatoes. They contain essential vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants to nourish your skin from the inside out.
Let’s Talk About Exfoliation
Here’s a little secret: If you want your skin to be Instagram-worthy without using 15 different filters, then exfoliation must be your best friend post a sizzling summer. Having been exposed to all that sun, saltwater, and sweat, your skin needs that extra bit of tender loving care more than ever, and gentle exfoliation comes to your rescue.
But what does exfoliation exactly do for your skin, you might be asking. Allow us to explain. For starters, exfoliation gets rid of the dead skin cells that tend to accumulate on your skin’s surface, making your complexion appear tired and lifeless. By gently scrubbing this off, you’re unveiling the glowing, fresh skin hidden beneath, which is how you acquire that post-facial glow without ever leaving your bathroom.
But that’s not all! Achieving a brighter, more even complexion is not all exfoliation can do — it also creates the perfect condition for your skincare products to work more effectively. Think about it this way: every time you exfoliate, you’re transforming your face into a blank canvas that your serums, creams, and additional treatments can easily penetrate into.
Invest In Professional Skin Treatments
And last, but certainly not least, for those who want to take their post-summer skincare routine to the next level, there are plenty of advanced treatments to choose from. One of our favourites is PICO laser treatment — an outstanding option for tackling pigmentation, sun damage, and many other common skin issues.
In addition to PICO, the treatment options available in 2024 include photorejuvenation, microdermabrasion, and microneedling, to name just a few. Photorejuvenation involves the use of intense pulsed light to address pigmentation, sun spots, and redness, whereas microdermabrasion and microneedling are great for skin texture and stimulating collagen production, helping you to get a smoother, more youthful complexion.
However, it is crucial to remember that everyone’s skin is unique and what works for one person may not work for another. Therefore, it is always a good idea to consult a skincare professional or a dermatologist to ensure that any advanced treatments are suitable for you. With the right approach, the glowing and healthy skin of your dream is achievable long after the balmy days of summer are gone.
In A Nutshell
With a shift in the seasons and the sun beginning to hide behind the horizon earlier, it’s vital that our skincare routine evolves to better meet the skin’s changing requirements. Whether that entails sipping a glass of water or whipping up a delicious skincare mask, or even one of the more advanced treatments mentioned above, there are a plethora of ways to keep your skin looking luminous and well-groomed throughout the year.
So, here’s to happy, healthy skin – no matter the weather!
