Skin Dipping

• Source: Global Times
• [10:42 August 31 2010]
• Comments

Getting a facial spa. Photo: Courtesy of Super Sense Spa

By Mao Jiayu 

Summer is fading, and the gradual disappearance of strong sunlight makes it even more important to protect our skin as the climate goes through a fairly rapid change in a relatively short space of time.

Over-exposure to the sun may have taken its toll on our bodies, and a period of sudden cooling increases the chance of dryness and inflammation, among other conditions.

So how best to protect ourselves for the onset of fall? The Global Times spoke to beauticians from Super Sense Spa and Chi Spa to find out some tips on how to take care of your skin. 

Uneven skin color and sunburn

An obvious side-effect of the sun is uneven skin color and blotchiness which can be easily addressed by moisturizing and using brightening skin care products, according to Weng Jie, a beautician from Chi Spa. "Normally, if parts of your skin are too dry, the pores there will be bigger and this will make your skin look duller," she said. "If you use only brightening or whitening products this will make your epidermis look even dryer. So you have to use the moisturizer and brightening products together."

Weng warns that if you have sunburn, no amount of cosmetics can instantly solve the problem. "It's almost impossible to completely get rid of sunburn, but you can lessen its appearance," she said. "The best and quickest way to do this is by using sunburn diminishing facial masks, especially cloth facial masks."

These products are recommended even in the absence of sunburn, according to Sun Yu of Procter and Gamble China. "Because sunburn can sometimes be imperceptible, it's advisable to use facial masks if you have had any lengthy exposure to UV rays," she said. Both Sun and Weng suggest the Olay White Radiance Soothing Whitening Stretch Mask and the SKII After Sun Skin Care Sunburn Mask as ideal choices.

Before using a facial mask, scrubbing and deep cleansing is important to remove dead cells from your skin and to ensure the nutrients in the mask are better absorbed. Lush's Ocean Salt is ideal for all types of skins and its natural sea salt and minerals make it suitable for both the face and body. The added grapefruit, lime and seaweed encourage moistening and pore-repairing.

Dry Lines

Dry lines are caused by water loss, collagen protein loss and a rapid change in the climate. "Asian skin becomes obviously drier and Western skin also becomes more sensitive with a change in the seasons," said Weng. "Carrying a moisturizing face spray is a good idea for both dry and sensitive skins." Water sprays are divided into two categories. The first is natural mineral water or thermal water, and contains mineral substances and trace elements. Leading brands include Avene and Evian water spray. The second contain additional extracts such as aloe vera juice, Moroccan pure rose floral syrup and grape seed extract. A recommended brand is Mukti's Floral Hydrating Mist Toner.

However, according to a report on gaze.cn released recently, "most of these commercial water sprays are not suitable for oily skin because water and oil are incompatible. This means the  water will not be absorbed, and the product may even do some damage to your skin." Weng Jing also stresses the importance of differentiating between products for oily and dry skin. "Lotion is a water-in-oil substance while cream is an oil-in-water substance," she told the Global Times. "So cream is suitable for oily skin while lotion is much better for dry and flaky skin."

Cheng Yan, a beautician from Super Sense Spa suggests the best time to moisturize is at eight o'clock in the morning and three o'clock in the afternoon as these are "optimum times for our natural biological clock."

Warning signs

One of the most typical skin problems during the change from summer to autumn is flaky skin, and this is especially common in people with sensitive skin. "If this is happening, it's actually a sign that you need to change your skin care products as they are not protecting your skin sufficiently," said Cheng Yan.

As summer turns into autumn, the level of humidity in the atmosphere drops considerably and this can also contribute to flaky skin. "When washing your face or having a bath, make sure the water is tepid; that it is neither too hot nor too cold," said Mao Xiaohong, a beauty training manager from Kose China. "If you want to use a moistening facial mask, among the best choices are those made with  natural plants because they are milder."

Mao suggest Pangea's Organic Facial Mask, applied only once a week and is suitable for almost all skin types. It contains Japanese matcha tea, acai and goji berry which all aid in skin healing as opposed to simply moisturizing it.