The countdown to summer has begun and as you shake off the chilly weather, it’s time to embrace a new skincare routine that aligns with the changing seasons. Here are our A-team’s go-to products for stepping up your beauty routine for some fun in the sun!

Take advantage of our new spring arrivals to get your skin summer glow ready!

Exfoliate

Say goodbye to lingering dry skin by incorporating exfoliation into your routine. By gently sloughing away dead skin cells, you’re setting the stage for a smoother, more vibrant complexion. Whether it’s a gentle scrub or a chemical exfoliant, find the method that best suits your skin type here: Skin Assessment.

Cleanse and Moisturise

With rising temperatures and increased humidity on the horizon, it’s time to switch up your skincare products. Bid adieu to heavy creams and opt for lighter alternatives that won’t weigh down your skin. A frothy, bubbly cleanser is your ally against excess sebum and oily skin. Remember, hydration is key, so don’t skip the moisturising step. Opt for a lighter formula that provides nourishment without overwhelming your skin. Shop our favourites here:

Skin Brighteners

If uneven skin tone, dark spots, pigmentation or dullness have been on your mind, spring is the perfect time to address them. Skin brighteners are your secret weapon for achieving a more uniform complexion and these products work diligently to enhance your skin’s overall tone and texture. Say hello to our skincare superheroes! Niacinamide, retinoids, and AHAs all work wonders in refining skin texture. These are our go-to brightening serums:

Apply SPF. Always!

When it comes to skincare, one rule stands steadfast: never skip the sunscreen! Toss out old, expired sunscreens that offer subpar protection against the sun’s harmful rays. Not only can they leave you vulnerable to sun damage, but they might also trigger unwelcome breakouts. Welcome the new season with a fresh bottle of SPF, remember to apply it generously to your face, ears, neck, and chest. Regardless of your skin type or tone, daily sun protection is a non-negotiable step for a healthier complexion. Get yours here today.

Achieving and maintaining beautiful, healthy skin requires consistent effort and a personalised approach. Celebrate Women’s Month with these must-know skincare tips.

At Skinmiles, we celebrate and embrace women’s beauty in all its diverse forms, we believe skincare plays a pivotal role in self-care, confidence, and promoting overall well-being.

Read on to learn about the best ingredients, routines, and products to help you achieve healthy, glowing skin.

Know Your Skin Type:

Understanding your skin type is the first step towards an effective skincare regimen. It can be categorised as normal, dry, oily, combination, or sensitive. Each skin type requires specific care and attention. Determine your skin type by taking our online skin assessment here. This knowledge will guide you in selecting suitable skincare products and customising your routine accordingly.

Cleanse Gently, But Thoroughly:

Cleansing is the foundation of any skincare routine. Choose a gentle cleanser that suits your skin type and use it twice a day to remove dirt, oil, and impurities. Avoid harsh soaps or cleansers that can strip your skin of its natural oils, leading to dryness.

Shop our go-to cleansers here:

Exfoliation for Healthy Glow:

Regular exfoliation is key to maintaining a fresh and radiant complexion. By sloughing off dead skin cells, exfoliation helps unclog pores, prevents dullness, and promotes cell turnover. However, be mindful not to overdo it, as excessive exfoliation can cause irritation. Choose a gentle exfoliator or opt for chemical exfoliants like AHAs (alpha-hydroxy acids) or BHAs (beta-hydroxy acids) to suit your skin’s needs.

Shop our top choices here:

Hydration Is the Key:

Proper hydration is essential for vibrant and supple skin. Drink an adequate amount of water daily to keep your skin hydrated from within. Additionally, moisturising your skin is crucial to lock in moisture and maintain its natural barrier. Don’t forget to include a nourishing eye cream to keep the delicate under-eye area hydrated.

We are loving these moisturisers and eye creams:

Shield Your Skin from the Sun:

Protecting your skin from harmful UV rays is vital in preventing premature ageing, dark spots, and other skin damage. Always wear a broad-spectrum sunscreen with at least SPF 30, even on cloudy days.

Shop your SPF favourites here:

Nourish with a Balanced Diet

A healthy diet rich in fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and essential fatty acids contributes to your skin’s overall health and appearance. Antioxidant-rich foods such as berries, leafy greens, and nuts can combat free radicals and promote a youthful glow. Avoid excessive consumption of sugary and processed foods, as they can lead to inflammation and breakouts.

Adequate sleep

Adequate sleep is often overlooked but plays a significant role in maintaining healthy skin. During sleep, your skin repairs and rejuvenates itself. Aim for 7-8 hours of quality sleep each night to minimise under-eye circles, promote cell renewal, and wake up with a refreshed complexion.

As winter sets in, it’s time to give our skin some extra love and protection! Say hello to your winter skincare heroes: face oils and serums!

Winter winds and indoor heating can leave your skin feeling dry and dehydrated. But fear not! Face oils and serums are here to save the day. They are excellent additions to your winter skincare regimen, providing nourishment, hydration, and protection.

Keep scrolling to learn more. Say goodbye to dry patches and hello to a radiant complexion!

Here are some face oils and serums suitable for winter use and why you should be using them.

Jojoba Oil:

is a lightweight and non-greasy oil that closely resembles the skin’s natural sebum. It helps to moisturise and balance the skin, making it suitable for both dry and oily skin types. Jojoba oil forms a protective barrier on the skin, preventing moisture loss.

Rosehip Seed Oil:

Rich in essential fatty acids and antioxidants, rosehip seed oil is deeply moisturising and nourishing. It helps to improve skin elasticity, reduce fine lines, and promote a more even skin tone. This oil is especially beneficial for dry and mature skin.

Argan Oil:

is a luxurious oil known for its high vitamin E and fatty acid content. It deeply hydrates the skin, soothes dryness and irritation, and enhances skin elasticity. It is suitable for all skin types.

Hyaluronic Acid Serum:

Is a humectant that attracts and retains moisture in the skin. Using a hyaluronic acid serum during winter helps to replenish moisture levels, combat dryness, and plump up the skin. It can be used by all skin types, including oily and acne-prone skin.

Vitamin C Serums:

are excellent for winter because they provide antioxidant protection against environmental damage and help brighten the complexion. They can also assist in reducing hyperpigmentation caused by sun exposure. Vitamin C serums are suitable for most skin types, but those with sensitive skin should opt for a milder formulation.

Yours in skin

Dr Alek Nikolic and the SkinMiles Team

When the chilly winds of winter rush in, many of us may want to curl in and stay undercover (literally) until warmer weather returns. The cold, dry air can wreak havoc on our once smooth skin.

Check out these skin care tips on how to brave the winter elements, while still enjoying a glowing complexion as the colder temps hit!

How to tell when your skin is asking for change?

The summer – winter onset is a big change, pay attention to how your skin looks and feels as the seasons turn.

But the real question is – how do you know when to change your skincare routine?

The most obvious signs that call for change are: 

• Irritation, burning or stinging
• Redness
• Flaking
• Dry and dehydrated skin
• Severe acne breakouts

Tip 1: Spring clean your shelves.

It is time to clean all your makeup brushes and ditch any products that have expired or been open for too long. More importantly, it’s a good idea to wash your brushes every 7-10 days, this will help to protect your skin against acne-causing bacteria and irritating grime that lingers on your makeup brushes.

Make sure to steer clear of harsh formulas, like cleansers filled with fragrance and dyes when cleaning your brushes. Remember, you’re rubbing these brush bristles across your face, so you don’t want to irritate your skin. Shop all our favourites here.

Tip 2: Moisturise more!

The constant exposure to indoor heat sucks the moisture from your skin, stripping it of oils essential for healthy skin barrier function. We encourage you to moisturise more to beat the dehydrating effects of winter.

In cold weather, the skin has a higher tendency of becoming dry and dull looking. Focused hydration and keeping the skin supple and elastic is important because the dryness and stiffness of your skin during the cold months could spark skin sensitivity, redness, and irritation.

Tip 3: Buff away!

The benefits of exfoliation, when done correctly are no secret. Dead skin cells and blocked pores keep moisturiser from being absorbed properly, so it’s worth exfoliating and gently buffing your face twice weekly. That said, avoid harsh scrubs and rather try a small amount of lactic acid or glycolic acid.

Tip 4: Try something new.

Start introducing protective products into your skincare routine, try switching to a gentle yet rich cleanser. This is a great way to keep the skin hydrated and maintain a healthy barrier throughout the winter. Shop our favourites here.

You could also think about layering your skincare and introducing a concentrated serum. Preferably choose a serum containing hyaluronic acid and calming ingredients such as niacinamide to retain moisture and soothe flushed skin. The cardinal rule is to layer your products from the thinnest texture to the thickest, so make sure that your serum sits underneath your moisturiser for effective absorption.

Tip 5: Remember to wear SPF!

Don’t forget the SPF, you can absolutely get sun damage in the autumn and winter, UVA rays are present even on cloudy days. Wearing a SPF of 30+ is a year-round commitment in protecting your skin daily from the harsh environmental factors. Shop our favourites here.

You may have heard of it; you might have it and know it… or you might not! Melasma is a common skin condition, so you’re not alone. In this blog, we’re going to break down what melasma is, what causes it and how you can treat it.

Learn how important it is to have the right skincare and how we go the extra mile to help you get there.

What is melasma?

Melasma, also known as hormonal pigmentation, is a common skin issue for women that presents on the face as patches that are darker than your normal complexion. They look like discolorations that are typically larger than sun spots and can appear like ‘stains’ on the skin or as blotch-like patches.

What does melasma look like?

Melasma is a common skin condition that causes discoloration, this may be tan, brown, gray-brown, or pink spots – it is usually symmetrical and is most common on the forehead, cheekbones and jawline, but it can also be found on the upper lip. The areas are not painful or itchy, but they can make one feel self-conscious.

What causes Melasma or hormonal pigmentation?

It isn’t totally clear what causes melasma, but in many cases there is a direct relationship with female hormonal activity. This form of skin pigmentation is stimulated by oestrogen and progesterone. A steep rise in oestrogen levels will stimulate the melanocytes (the melanin producing cells located in the basal layer which is the innermost layer of the epidermis) causing them to produce more melanin – this results in hyperpigmentation of the skin.

This means birth control pills, pregnancy, menopause and hormone therapy can all trigger melasma. Stress and thyroid disease are also thought to be potential trigger factors or causes of melasma.

Is melasma treatable?

For some women, melasma disappears on its own. This typically occurs when it’s caused by pregnancy, birth control pills or if oestrogen intake is reduced.

However, it is very important to remember that Melasma is a chronic skin condition and as with all hyperpigmentation it can be very tricky to treat and may need ongoing management and treatments.

Shop our recommended products for hyperpigmentation here:

Living with melasma

While not all cases of melasma will clear up on their own or with treatment, there are things you can do to make sure the condition doesn’t worsen and minimise the appearance of the discoloration.

These include:

• Wearing a SPF of 30+ (or higher) daily. Shop our favourites here:

• Try to avoid or limit sun exposure to your face, neck and décolletage.
• Introduce retinol to your skin care routine, this exfoliating ingredient will speed up your cellular turnover rate to shed the pigment quicker.

• Apply an antioxidant like Vitamin C; this will help to protect against infrared A.

• It is important to use a pigmentation prevention product daily to limit new excess pigment from being produced in the skin

Think you may have melasma?

Let us help you treat it! Book an online skin consultation here to chat to one of our experts. We want to make sure you look and feel your best!

Yours in skin

Dr Alek Nikolic and the SkinMiles team