After summer, autumn is a good time for repairing and restoring skin back to its natural balance. Ideally once the skin is restored to its natural state in its accustomed environment (water, temperatures) it will be robust enough to handle the changes during the winter months.

In order to prepare for winter the skin is well-hydrated and nourished through treatments and products, which will enhance the skin’s moisture levels.

While the GCC winter is not as harsh as the European winter, the skin generally suffers from changes in the environment, travel and water, all of which contribute to dehydration. Mona Mirza, Founder and CEO of Biolite Aesthetic Clinic in Dubai, highly recommends treatments such as Oxygen Vitamin Infusion, which blasts the skin with pure oxygen simultaneously introducing a cocktail of hydrating vitamins and hyaluronic acid, which are essential to raise moisture levels.

The sun is often seen as our skin’s worst enemy, but winter can be just as much of a worry when it comes to wrinkles. Biting winds and dry air outside plus central heating inside suck out the moisture, leaving us prone to the formation of new lines.

Here’s how to take extra care in the cold:

The fix:

Our skin’s barrier function is less effective in winter so we can’t hold on to whatever water our epidermis (outer) layers of skin attract from deeper skin layers, and we keep losing moisture to the dry winter air by ­evaporation.

To combat ­trans-epidermal water loss, look for treatments and moisturizers containing humectants, such as glycerine, hyaluronic acid, lactic acid and urea, which have the ability to hold and attract water in the skin.

Warm water hydrates skin, but if you can’t stomach it, drink white tea instead. Studies have shown that extracts in white tea strengthen the skin’s elastin and collagen content.

Long, hot baths and showers strip the skin of its protective oils, allowing moisture to escape. Keep showers short and warm (not hot) and as soon as you step out of the steam (while your skin is still damp and pores open) apply moisturizer.

UV rays are still very much at large in winter, especially if there’s snow around because it reflects light. Use a broad spectrum SPF no lower than SPF25 to protect against UVA and UVB rays.

Pigmentation and acne are the two most prominent skin issues women face at the end of the summer. Too much frolicking in the sun without SPF can lead to hyperpigmentation in the form of sunspots and freckles.

The fix: Although there are over-the-counter products that can be used, the most effective are prescription agents. Topical retinoids and treatments such as microdermabrasion followed by an IPL Photofacial do the trick effectively. Serums that contain skin brightening ingredients like vitamin C are also worthwhile. You can also opt for a retinol, which increases cell turnover to speed up the lightening process. Examples include Biolite’s Retinol infusion serum.

Sweating aggravates acne. The combination of creams and cosmetics plus sweat leads to pimples on the face and body. A basic deep cleansing and extraction facial followed by an IPL Photofacial eliminates all traces of underlying bacteria, balances the over active sweat/ oil glands and tightens pores leaving an even skin tone. Generally, products that are overly drying on pimples, which stimulate the oil glands are not recommended.

• Five tips on how to get the perfect skin:

1. Sleep for at least seven hours a night.

Cortisol, the stress hormone, ages the skin and can cause acne. Sleep reduces the cortisol level in your body. So it’s a simple equation: Sleep equals younger, clearer skin.

2. The number one way to prevent skin aging is to apply sunscreen. Use a morning moisturizer with an SPF of (at least) 30. Reapply sunscreen every few hours. Sun-shielding ingredients are only effective for about two hours. Biolite’s mineral powder SPF28+ is a good choice.

3.For glowing smooth skin, use Retinoids/ Retinol serums, which are vitamin A derivatives that have been proven to boost collagen, reduce fine lines, speed cell turnover and even out discoloration. Biolite’s Retinol infusion serum does the job.

4. Salmon’s high omega-3 content helps hydrate skin from the inside out and reduces inflammation that can cause skin redness. Antioxidant-rich foods and drinks — blueberries, dark green vegetables, green tea and coffee — help fight free radicals that can damage the cellular structures of the skin, accelerating skin aging.

5. Regular trips to the skin clinic are essential to maintaining naturally great skin. Treatment should incorporate addressing all three layers of the skin essentially, starting with the epidermis with suitable exfoliating treatments (Dermasweep/ Microdermabrasion) to nourishing vitamin infusion (Oxygen boosting, placenta facial) and finally collagen rejuvenation with Ematrix Radio frequency and Dermapen Mesotherapy, both of which help to stimulate your natural collagen and elastin for firmer, tighter and more youthful skin.

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