Bondi Beauty Founder Renae Leith-Manos talks beauty with the changing seasons.
It’s not only the change of seasons that wreaks havoc on skin, changing the water you wash both your hair and skin in can dramatically dehydrate the body leaving skin dry, flaky and red and hair also dry, sallow and dehydrated. I travel a lot, and this is an ongoing issue for me.
Micellar water is a brilliant beauty product when the water you are using is drying out your skin. It also works well with changing seasons. London water for example has a high content of lime, so putting micellar water on your face (I use Kiehls herbal infused micellar) after washing it with water and cleanser can restore balance and certainly remove a large percentage of the lime water.
The main two beauty products I change with changing seasons are my cleanser – I favour a creamier cleanser such as dermaviduals total cleansing cream with no preservatives in winter and a gel cleanser, La Prairie foaming cleanser in warmer weather. I believe in investing in cleansers as they are a constant and removing make-up is so important.
I also change my oil-free foundation to a slightly lighter colour in cooler climates and always, always remove it at the end of the day.
The constant is my moisturiser which is oil free. Currently I am using Indie Lee active oil-free moisturiser. I have found using an oil-free product makes a huge difference to the amount of oil my skin produces.
Face masks are a god-send and I love the range from Peter Thomas Roth as they travel well and produce results. A clay mask is excellent when seasons change. They reduce pores instantly and help clear pimples – which I can’t believe I still get. I don’t use sheet masks – call me old fashioned – but these are seriously bad for the environment and I feel the sheet is unnecessary.
For my hair, Kerastase masks transform my hair with just one application. They’re expensive but they work, particularly if I leave them in overnight.
One of the most important ways to combat dehydration for me – whether from changing seasons or excessive travel is from the inside out with nutrition. I know it sounds boring and predictable, but hey, it really does work.
Apple cider vinegar with water as a tonic morning and night seems to really help my skin, as does a spoon of cold pressed olive oil, easily consumed as part of a salad. Fish oil capsules are another option. Eliminating dairy has definitely improved my skin.
I exercise every day, even if that is simply walking a minimum of 12,000 steps (my Fitbit really helps motivate me to do this), as it makes my skin glow and gives me a better overall sense of wellbeing. It’s a great way to catch up with a friend too or see a new city.
I also find eating less food overall seems to make my body feel more relaxed and keeping coffee to one a day and alcohol intake low all helps to make my skin clear, and my hair strong and shiny.
