www.womanthismonth.com 43 December 2012 | Your skin Our expert: Dr Bhartendu Mehta, dermatologist at American Mission Hospital. The skincare products you use in the winter should be different to your summer ones. You need to take the time to find products that suit your skin’s condition. In moments of dire depression, we have been known to purchase the most ludicrously priced products to save our skin, a move that Dr Bhartendu doesn’t recommend. “Expensive products are not necessarily better,” he says. “Most of the time, the extra cost is due to packaging and marketing. Instead you should consult your dermatologist for the best product for your own skin type.” Lips will also become dry and chapped in the cold so ensure you use a balm regularly throughout the day to soothe soreness. Preventing dryness As expected, Dr Bhartendu immediately hailed moisturisers as the product we should all be using to protect from the cold climate. However, not just any moisturiser will do the trick. “You should try to use oil-based products which are much better than water-based ones,” the doctor recommends. “The oil forms a protective layer on the skin and retains water loss, thereby preventing dryness. Oils like avocado, primrose, mineral and almond oil are preferable as they are ‘non-clogging’ agents.” Dr Bhartendu suggests that we look for products containing alcohol and sorbitol. “These help prevent hydration loss as they attract moisture to the skin,” he adds. The secret defender “Daily sun protection is crucial,” states the doctor. “It is not just for the summer as the sun in the winter is just as powerful.” A large amount of affordable daily moisturisers are formulated with an SPF factor. “You should select one that has a minimum SPF factor of 15 to shield your skin’s surface from the sun’s harmful rays,” he explains. Your hair Our expert: Trisha Smith, style director and senior colour technician at Toni&Guy, Seef Mall. Your locks must be cared for just as much as your skin — after all, they won’t magically stay strong and healthy! “All year round a conditioner should be used on the hair to replenish the moisture lost from everyday wear and tear,” says Trisha. “In a country like Bahrain, the temperature will drop during the winter months but the sun will continue to shine strongly. The key ingredient to look out for in any hair care products is SPF factors and UVA filters.” Saving damaged hair Make sure that you can identify when your hair is having a crisis and know how to help it. Particularly during this time of the year, hair can become uncontrollable, rough and break easily. “Help your hair by limiting your use of styling tongs and straighteners. Another good tip is to wash hair with sweet water. This saves it from becoming dehydrated from chemically cleaned water,” Trisha suggests. “Also, use cool water as a final rinse on the hair close to the cuticle and that you change the products you use every three months, as hair will become used to the products and they won’t work as well. For best results, find two or three products that you like and alternate.” The winter saviour If your hair is really feeling sorry for itself, invest in a concentrated product that will restore its health. “label.m’s Intensive Repair Mask is fantastic as it contains shea butter to smooth and hydrate,” adds the stylist. “Use it once a week after shampooing and apply directly to towel-dried hair for 15 minutes. It will heal the hair and lock in moisture, leaving your locks looking luscious and strong.”
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