VALLEY’S Guide to Springtime Skincare

The refreshing, hopeful time that is spring — blooming flowers downtown, sunny days spent “studying” on the HUB lawn and using the high UV as an excuse to ignore the Canvas assignments that have been piling up all week. Our skin, however, may have different plans in reaction to the change that springtime brings along. Longer hours of solar radiation exposure, excessive pollen in the air and the inevitable nasal congestion all may make heading outside this spring sound miserable. VALLEY’s got you and your springtime skincare covered. 

Fresh out of bed in the morning or afternoon, depending on how the night prior went, we encourage you to try something new. It may sound torturous, but we promise it doesn’t hurt to try. Prior to your cleansing, try waking up your sleeping skin with a few minutes of facial icing. This method works in a morning and night routine, but in the morning really helps in physically releasing you from the groggy reigns of exhaustion. Taking a clean ice cube in your hands and massaging it into your skin in a circular motion until the ice melts improve blood flow, which calms your skin and reduces surface inflammation. This method is a small step toward noticeably bright and tight skin. 

Maybe COVID-19 did not attack your immune system, but for some of us, springtime allergies are even more frightening. It’s easy for our facial muscles to feel physically congested, and that is where lymphatic drainage and ultimately traditional Chinese medicine, play the hero. The Gua Sha stone has taken over the internet for its transformative effects it has displayed on daily users’ skin. Lymphatic drainage aids in decreased fine lines increased elasticity and decreased puffiness. The Gua Sha stone is gently dragged across the facial and muscles, inviting blood flow to the facial surface, leaving a tight, refreshed and lifted appearance of the skin. 

Sunscreen, Sunscreen and more Sunscreen. As we work our way into the warmer months we have more hours and beautiful, soul-feeding sunshine. Even on the days that Happy Valley is overcast with clouds, your skin needs protection from the sun’s UV rays that have been proven ten times over to have long-term negative effects on the skin. This season, we love the Versed Guards Up Daily Mineral Sunscreen. Your sunscreen should be the final step of your morning skincare routine, following your serums and moisturizer. This product is created for all skin types and sits lightly on the skin, without any white overcast or fragrance. 

Facial oils may be scary to some. Our constant media consumption feeds us information regarding acne that places facial oils in a very negative light. Tea tree oil, though, is a natural alternative to harsh chemical products that are marketed towards people who struggle with stubborn acne. Tea Tree oil works best in its liquid form, and we would also encourage you to buy organically. It has antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties that kill the bacteria deep in the skin that trigger breakouts, while simultaneously preventing and soothing pre-existing or incoming acne scars.

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