Reset your Skin Health Rituals for Spring

A Conversation with Virginie Descamps, Chief Marketing Officer of Alurx and lifelong skincare-obsessed @frenchbeautychef.

Spring is the season symbolizing renewal and hope. This year, it takes on a particular significance as we reset our clocks to maximize our exposure to longer days and envision the return to a more “normal” way of life. For Virginie Descamps, our Chief Marketing Officer, it is also time to reset your Skin Health ritual to adjust to your inner seasons and get a fresh start on self-care. Virginie has formulated, marketed and launched premium cosmetic brands in over 60 countries, learning along the way about the rituals used by women the world over. We asked her to share her Spring Skin Health Reset.

1. Why is spring an important time to change your daily rituals, in particular for Skin Health?

Since ancient times, the passage of seasons is marked by natural phenomena such as the equinox. They impact the cadence and nature of human activities, hence our health and well-being; However, seasons have lost their deeper significance in our modern, urban societies where Spring is rarely celebrated except by cleaning our closets and buying new linens. Still, the change in weather and activities means exposure to different temperatures, humidity levels, or sunlight that can impact our skin health. Emerging from weeks spent mostly indoors, our skin tends to be dull, dry, and unprepared for the outdoors. It needs to be prepped and nurtured. Spring is the season to increase your fitness level, including your skin fitness, to feel and look reenergized and radiant.

2. What are the spring rituals that you practice and where do we start?

Spring naturally triggers a reset in our daily self-care rituals. While traveling and working in the cosmetic industry for the last 20 years, I have learned so much from the women that I met along the way. We all agree that keeping your skin healthy requires a year-long commitment and a daily skincare ritual that is personalized to the seasons, our heritage, and our lifestyle. Fortunately for me, my grandmothers had beautiful, radiant skin in their 60’s and 70’s, and most of all, they did not smoke, had great eating habits, and cared for their skin daily with one hydrating and nourishing cream. I learned from them that nutrition plays a critical role in skin health. I recommend starting the season with 2 steps. First, by reviewing your diet and your water intake, adding more fresh produce, and reducing the consumption of processed food that are known to cause inflammation. Drinking plenty of water and eating a balanced diet can be supplemented with the intake of vitamins and skin-supporting nutrients such as collagen.  I started taking supplements while living in Asia, where collagen powders have long been part of skincare routines. Today, Alurx’ Collagen powder is my favorite one because I can add it to my breakfast smoothies or overnight oats and not worry about taking a pill. “Beauty snaking” is the latest trend but it takes root in more traditional rituals using edible plants and fruits to support skin health. Dry-brushing is also a timeless ritual back on trend and a great way to rejuvenate your entire body every morning before stepping in the shower. I recommend this wonderful brush from Japan, now available in the US.

The second step is to ensure that your skin gets the hydration and nourishment it needs to stay healthy, supple, and luminous.

3. There are so many skincare products available and new ones always coming to the market, how do you select the right one?

Selecting a few essential products is easier than one thinks. Hydration, nutrition, and protection are the building blocks of skin health. So feed your skin with multi-tasking formulas that deliver all 3. Alurx makes it easy thanks to its Wrinkle Smoothing Hydrating Cream. It’s packed with vitamins, peptides, hyaluronic acid and botanicals to meet all our essential skincare needs. I also learned when packing light for my business trips that using the same face cream morning and night helps keep my routine simple and reinforces its efficacy. The only additional benefit required in the daytime is a lotion with an SPF factor to protect your skin from casual sun exposure. Climate and lifestyle also come into play when adding more products to your regimen. Spring is a great time to help your skin exfoliate, renew itself and boost its luminosity. Using a brightening serum at night is essential to address the specific needs of dull, tired or uneven skin. Brightening rituals rely on key ingredients such as Vitamin C, which you find in seasonal fruits, to help your skin regain radiance and benefit from antioxidant protection. It also powers the Alurx Tone Correcting Brightening Serum that I use every evening during spring. But ultimately, nothing beats a positive mindset and bright smile to feel and look radiant.

4. Besides the need to address seasonal changes, when should we worry about preventing or treating the first signs of our skin aging?

Chronological age is only one factor impacting the appearance of lines and wrinkles and other visible signs of aging. There are many other reasons such as stress, diet, hormones, sun damage, lack of sleep, and illness. Hence, age should not be the main factor determining when to start a skincare ritual. Learning good habits at a young age ensures that you protect your Skin Health “capital”. Applying moisturizing lotion or sunscreen to children’s faces and bodies teaches them about self-care and skin health. Teenagers are in the spring of their lives so to speak, hence it’s the perfect time to get started with an easy skin health regimen that includes balanced nutrition, hydration, and sun protection.

Here are 5 quick tips to get started on a Spring Skin Health Reset:

• Step 1. Take a daily supplement supporting skin health and keep a balanced diet
• Step 2. Use a daily face cream that nourishes and hydrates
• Step 3. Target specific needs with a night serum
• Step 4. Apply a mineral sunscreen before heading outside
• Step 5. Treat your body like you would your face (moisturize it daily) and your face like your body (massage it)