Five ways to winter-proof your skin
When winter truly sets in, your skin needs protecting from the elements in order to stay comfortable, glowing and healthy.
All stations hydration
If you’ve been using a light moisturiser during the summer, now is the time to swap for a heavier one – if your skin is really dry, you might want to also change your regular cleanser to a cleansing balm. It’s not so much the fact that the weather is cold that causes skin to feel dry , it’s more that you’re moving from hot to cold conditions and, of course, the biggest culprit is central heating that leaves the air around you hot and dry. If your skin becomes sore, you should moisturise whenever you feel you need it and not just in the morning and evening. Facial oils made from pure botanical extracts are excellent for keeping skin balanced and hydrated – they’re full of essential fatty acids too, that keep skin supple and healthy. I like Barefoot Botanicals Face & Decolletage Oil, full of rosa mosqueta, a natural source of Omega 3 and 6. If your skin is really sore and chapped, try Barefoot Botanicals SOS Cream, packed with Omegas 3, 6 and 9 that takes the sting away and helps sensitivity.
Perfectly polished
Exfoliating in winter is just as important at any time of the year, but if your skin is feeling sensitive and dry, it’s crucial to treat it gently. You can exfoliate by gently buffing your skin with a dry flannel to leave it smooth. This helps to release any dry flakes and helps your skin become more receptive to oils and moisturisers.
Water everywhere!
Although it is lovely and cosy, heating our homes means that the air is dry all the time. If you don’t have a humidifier, leave a bowl of water by your bedroom and living room radiators to ensure there is moisture in the air. A lovely tip for winter mornings is to add some aromatherapy oil to the water – such as mandarin or lemon – to the water. As it is gently warmed by the heat of the radiator, you wake up to a blissful, cheering scent.
Rosy cheeks
Rosacea is no joke – it’s a flushing of the cheeks and is sometimes accompanied by sensitive bumps. It’s caused by dilating blood vessels and exacerbated by hot and cold conditions, amongst other factors. Cameron Diaz is reportedly a sufferer, as are Lisa Faulkner and Bill Clinton, although rosacea affects more women than men. Creams and lotions containing Vitamin K, such as Jason’s Vitamin K Cream, are known to help with symptoms, and mild rosacea can be disguised with regular cosmetics, although you should choose a foundation with a built-in SPF to protect your skin. Clinique’s Redness Solution Urgent Relief Cream is an excellent handbag essential as it calms redness quickly and fortifies the skin against further flare-ups. A good daily cream is Avene Anti-Redness Rich Moisturising Cream, SPF10.
Lip service
Dry lips can occur in any season, but we tend to notice it more in winter. Licking your lips is a common culprit for dryness and you may not even realise you are doing it. Lip balms that contain barrier ingredients will help to seal in moisture, and when your lips are dry and flaky it is essential to up your water intake. You can also use the dry flannel method of exfoliation on your lips to get rid of any flakes. New beauty kid on the block, Lanolips, uses medical grade lanolin to keep lips plump and smooth.
Find suggested products at Clinique, Victoria Health.com, Barefoot Botanicals and Boots.
