Lauren Boyd Winter Skincare Interview

Interview with Lauren Boyd, Azure Spa Manager at The Star Gold Coast

Question: Do we need to change our skincare from Summer to Winter?'

Lauren Boyd: Depending on your skin type winter can cause dry skin so it's important to know your skin type and cater to it and that can be as simple as investing in a quality moisturiser. With the colder winter weather comes the use of central heating and super-hot showers which can cause the skin to become more sensitive than usual. Be gentle with your routine and be careful not to strip the skin of much-needed natural oils.

Don't wait for chapped lips, rough hands and tight skin to set in. Taking a proactive approach will keep your skin happily hydrated and prevent the need for damage-control.


Question: Why is it important to make these changes during Winter?

Lauren Boyd: It can be tempting to hide dry skin under layers of warm clothes in the winter – it is so easy to forget about the skin when it is hidden away! What we should really be doing is the opposite and giving our skin extra love when it is most craving it.

One of the reasons we tend to look and feel better in the summer months is because we are outdoors and active. While hibernating under a warm blanket by the fireplace in winter sounds tempting, staying active will keep your natural, healthy skin-glow intact.


Question: How do you keep your skin moisturised during these cooler months?

Lauren Boyd: My pro tip is exfoliating once a week to keep dryness at bay. Combined with a good moisturiser this acts as the ultimate protective shield for your skin.

We often forget to drink water when it is cold which is so detrimental to our skin health. Staying hydrated is the easiest (and cheapest) thing you can do for your skin. A warm cup of herbal or green tea is a great way to stay warm AND hydrated during the winter season.


Question: What is the best daily winter beauty routine?

Lauren Boyd: I like to keep it simple starting with a gentle cream cleanser while I am in the shower. Next up it's a quick toning mist and hydrating eye cream, before moving on to my daily moisturiser and sunscreen. Don't forget to put sun cream on - the skin is still susceptible to the suns' UVA and UVB rays in the cooler months so protect it all year round.

My winter saviour is the Babor Hydra Plus Ampoule Concentrates – this concentrated booster is sealed in a sterile single-use glass vial, packed with a high-dose active complex containing Hyaluronic Acid. Best of all, it is absorbed into the skin 8 times faster than a moisturiser!


Question: Does our skin get 'used to' products? Is it important to change skincare brands regularly?

Lauren Boyd: The short answer – no! Switching brands or products frequently reduces the overall benefit because you neither reach nor maintain the optimal goal or result.

While some ingredients start to show benefits in the first two weeks, such as hyaluronic acid, vitamin C, retinol and salicylic acid, a general rule of thumb is to expect noticeable results around the 8 to 12-week mark, assuming you are using the product consistently. Give your skincare routine an honest chance to work.

That said, there are some specific scenarios that may require you to change things up such as major change in weather or if you are experiencing a hormonal shift around pregnancy or menopause. The key is consistency… And always listen to what your body and your skin is telling you.

My advice is to find something that works well for you and stick with it but be open to new technologies and formulations.


Question: Can you share your best DIY home maintenance for our skin?

Lauren Boyd: For the face: Be kind to your skin, don't over-do it. Winter is the season to nourish and nurture. I like to add in a luxurious facial oil under my moisturiser just before bed, then simply let it work its magic overnight.

For the body: Get scrubbing! Dry body brushing before a shower will instantly stimulate blood flow and circulation. Follow it up with a nourishing body oil before bed and you'll wake up with silky soft skin.

For the mind: Sprinkle a few drops of an invigorating essential oil blend on the floor of your shower before you start the water. Step in, breathe deeply, and enjoy the awakening aroma shower!


Question: What's a typical day like for you as the Manager of Azure Spa at The Star Gold Coast?
Lauren Boyd: My day begins with the daily Hotel Management Team briefing followed by the Spa Team catch up where we review the day ahead and outline team goals. Throughout the day I can be found doing various tasks from reviewing report, liaising with suppliers for upcoming promotions or ordering stock and doing payroll and the roster.

The fun part is testing out the latest innovative technology, treatments and products on the market and looking ahead at how we integrate these in our offering.

It's my responsibility to review the current KPI's, revenue and marketing strategies. And, on top of that I track the team incentive targets for rewards and recognition, so every day is filled with a mix of activities and forward planning.


Question: If you could recommend one Azure Spa treatment, which would it be?

Lauren Boyd: Right now, our guests are loving our resurfacing and collagen boosting facial treatments. These are designed to detoxify pollution from deep within the skin and stimulate new cell turnover, in turn improving overall skin health – which is what we are all about! Plus, the instant pick-me-up and visible results will have you coming back for more.


Interview by Brooke Hunter
Photo by Noah Buscher on Unsplash