Ask The Expert: How Should We Treat Our Skin This Party Season?

The days are colder, the nights are longer – it can only mean one thing. Winter has officially arrived. But before it wreak havoc on your skin, make sure you get the upper hand. Dr Awatif Mandour, skin expert and founder of Dermanda, tells us how we can achieve a party season glow this winter.

A Guide To Party Season Skin

Why does our skin look and feel duller during the winter months?

The colder months can be harsh on our skin as central heating can be very drying, and constant temperature changes as your move from indoors to outdoors can cause chapping, irritation and dullness. Cold air generally carries less moisture – so it can strip the skin of its surface moisture, leading to dehydration and a more pallid complexion.

How can we bring back our skin’s glow this party season?

The best way to combat dull skin in the winter is increase your skin’s moisture levels, as well as add a vitamin C serum to your morning routine and an exfoliating treatment at nighttime.

When it comes to refining your skincare routine, I would recommends looking out for products that contain hyaluronic acid, vitamin C and retinol.

(c) Chermiti Mohamed, Unsplash

Can you recommend any products?

Increasing your skin’s hydration level will help to boost the natural protective layer that will hold moisture in your skin, combatting the stripping properties of colder air and dehydrating effects of central heating. My Advanced Hyaluronic Acid Serum was designed for this purpose. It is rich in hyaluronic acid (HA), which is a humectant, meaning it attracts and holds water. HA can actually hold over 1000 times its own weight in water, making it a powerful hydrator.

Vitamin C has an incredible brightening effect on the skin, as well as being a potent antioxidant. I formulated my Stem C20 Serum with a stable 20 percent vitamin C, along with stem cell technology that stimulates collagen and elastin production to give firmer and brighter skin, while fighting against free radical and pollution that can prematurely age and dull the skins appearance.

I also formulated my moisturiser, Boto Lift Face Cream, to work with and repair the skin’s barrier while also providing incredible lifting and smoothing action – similar to what Botox offers, without going anywhere near a needle. It’ perfect for keeping your skin tight and firm, even during the darker, colder months.

At night time, using my Over Night Retinol Repair Serum will help you wake up to a fresher, hydrated and renewed complexion. I have blended the power of retinol with an array of nourishing ingredients, unique to Dermanda, that minimises skin sensitivity and maximises results – it can even be used around the sensitive eye area.

Is there anything extra we can add to our skincare routine?

A good skincare routine will give you glowing, nourished and hydrated skin – but for that extra boost of vitality I would recommend a good hydrating sheet mask treatment a few hours before you hit the town. I initially created my Hydrating and Firming Face Mask as an in-clinic treatment, used post-laser procedure to relieve redness and swelling, but they have proven so popular with my clients that I have made them available for at-home use. Instantly comforting, my masks leave your skin fully hydrated, beautifully dewy and glowing.

What about post-party season – how can we help our skin recover from nights of celebration?

The simple answer is to drink lots of water and maintain your skincare routine. Skin can be wary of change, so stick to what it knows – with maybe the addition of another sheet mask to soothe and revive.

About The Expert

Dr Awatif Mandour is a registered pharmacist and qualified cosmetic practitioner, as well as the founder of London-based skincare label and clinic Dermanda. Dr Mandour’s background in pharmaceuticals, along with her deep understanding of how medicinal products interact with the human body, led her to embark upon an exciting journey into the beauty industry and to create her own brand, Dermanda, in 2020. dermanda.co.uk

Featured image: Inga Seliverstova, Pexels