Nikki's Spring Clean Regime
Just as we declutter our living spaces during the season of renewal, our beauty routines also deserve a little spring cleaning.
To guide us through the process of rejuvenating our skincare habits, we turn to the expertise of Nikki O'Dwyer, Heartwood's Head Facialist. With her wealth of knowledge and experience, Nikki shares her recommended ‘Spring Clean’ regime to bring back radiance and increase hydration.
Get ready to bid farewell to the winter blues and welcome radiant and refreshed skin this spring.
CLEAN
“Ensure your cleanser suits your skin-type and consider a lighter cleanser for Spring. Swap out those thick balms or cleansing oils for a gel or cream cleanser. Look out for cleansers with ceramides and hyaluronic acid.
“I always recommend booking in for a facial to give the skin a deep clean and revitalise at the end of winter,” says Nikki.
DECONGEST
“Exfoliators and masks are great decongestants for the skin. Always try and reach for a micro-foliant exfoliator, which has more of a “buffing effect” on the epidermis.
“I love clay-based masks which help draw out impurities and calm the redness that congestion can bring. Clay masks are generally suitable for all skin types, all ages.
“BHA (Salicylic acid) and Indian Sandalwood are my top ingredients as they penetrate deeper, breaking down clogged oil and have a strong anti-inflammatory effect,” says Nikki.
Enzyme Face Polish
SMOOTH
“Winter can leave the skin feeling rough, dry and flaky. Introducing a chemical exfoliant into your regime can work wonders overnight to help smooth the skin texture, clearing out any blockages and dissolving the skin’s surface layers to brighten and smooth.
“Be sure not to overdo it! Damaging the barrier will leave the skin feeling dry, irritated, red and over-sensitive,” says Nikki.
BRIGHTEN
“Vitamin C is the winner for me! Its brilliant for boosting brightness (as well as collagen production) and is a strong antioxidant. If you have sensitive skin, it's important to start slowly when using a vitamin C serum and build up.
“Start by using it twice a week for a few weeks and build from there. Vitamin C also helps protect the skin from environmental stress and UV rays but should serve as a replacement for SPF coverage,” says Nikki.
PROTECT
“Its time to up the ante if you are spending more time in the Spring sunshine.
“Always choose a sunscreen that offers broad-spectrum protection against both UVA and UVB rays.
“I like to apply a light moisturiser or natural primer first, let it dry down, then apply my SPF and work it in to all areas of the face. Adding a touch of foundation over the top gives that glowing radiance to the skin,” says Nikki.
Basking Beauty Sunscreen
