Winter can be bad news for the skin as harsh weather conditions and central heating can strip it of its natural moisture, leading to a dry and dull complexion. All ages and skin types can be affected; even an oily skin can become temporarily dry or dehydrated in the winter months. Dry skin feels tight and uncomfortable, looks dull and flaky, and is prone to premature ageing. To prevent dry skin as the season changes, it is a good idea to alter your skincare routine by switching to more moisturising products. We’ve rounded up our favourite products and some extra tips that will help you to winter-proof your skin.
1. Cleanse
Stay away from foaming facial washes – they tend to be drying. Instead, choose cream or oil based cleansers, which will help keep your skin moisturised.
We love: Aubrey Organics Revitalizing Therapy Cleanser – an ultra-rich creamy cleanser that melts away makeup and removes impurities whilst maintaining the skin’s moisture levels. Organic quinoa protein is rich in amino acids and is added for its proven conditioning properties, while soothing organic aloe vera calms and hydrates.
2. Tone
Toning helps to remove all traces of cleanser, makeup and dirt, ensuring your skin is thoroughly clean. If your skin feels tight after using a toner, check the ingredients to see if it contains alcohol. Alcohol dries out your skin, so choose milder toners instead.
We love: Tropic Skincare Vitamin Toner – a gentle toner that contains aloe vera and rose water to boost the skin’s vitality, plus cucumber, cranberry and white tea extracts to keep the skin’s pH and moisture levels balanced.
3. Moisturise
Moisturisers tend to come in the form of lotions or creams, and during winter you should opt for the latter if your skin is prone to dryness. Moisturising balms are also a fab thirst-quenching treat for your skin as they are packed full of nourishing oils.
We love: Neal’s Yard Remedies Jasmine Enriching Cream – a deeply nourishing cream that can be used day or night. Jojoba and jasmine oils help to boost the skin’s moisture levels while vitamin E helps to protect and restore dry skin.
4. Exfoliate
Once a week exfoliate your skin to remove dry, flaky skin and reveal fresh, new skin cells. Avoid using harsh scrubs that contain crushed nuts or plastic beads (very bad for the environment). Instead opt for a gentle, natural product, or use a soft face brush or muslin cloth with your cleanser.
We love: DeVita Skincare Gentle Aloe Facial Scrub – this softening exfoliator contains Ecocert jojoba beads which are biodegradable and safe for the planet as well as the skin.
5. Mask
Masks help to give your skin a real boost – a deep cleanse and moisturise. Use once a week for a nourishing skin treat.
We love: PHB Ethical Beauty Hydrating Face Mask with Geranium & Evening Primrose – this mask has a non-drying formula which helps to lock in moisture and leave skin feeling soft, nourished and glowing. Cocoa butter and omega-rich oils are added to nourish and soothe skin, while evening primrose, patchouli and geranium oils provide a moisture boost and help to relieve tightness.
6. Massage
Facial massage is absolutely amazing for your skin. It helps to boost the circulation, remove dead skin cells, improve muscle tone and remove toxins. Choose a luxurious facial oil and spend time massaging it in before bed each night. Always massage using upward, outward movements – never drag your skin downwards. Don’t forget your neck too; there are fewer sebaceous glands here so the area is prone to dryness.
We love: Pai Skincare Rosehip Regenerate Oil – this lovely oil is rich in concentrated trans-retinoic acid, which aids the skin’s natural repair function. When used regularly, rosehip oil helps to condition the skin and improve its firmness and elasticity. It also helps to improve the appearance of scars, stretch marks, sun damage and fine lines.
7. Don’t forget your eyes…
Fewer oil glands are found in the skin around the eyes, therefore this delicate area will need extra moisturising. Thick face creams can sometimes be too heavy for the eye area though, so opt for a specialist product instead.
We love: 100% Pure Red Wine Resveratrol Eye Cream – this eye cream been specifically formulated to protect against environmental damage, lines, wrinkles and loss of elasticity. It is packed full of nourishing ingredients and antioxidants such as resveratrol, a compound found in red wine. Gently pat the eye cream around the eye area with your ring finger to help keep the skin healthy, hydrated and youthful.
8. …Or lips
Lips are prone to chapping in the cold weather, so make sure you keep them feeling soft and moisturised by using a nourishing lip balm.
We love: Hurraw! Vanilla Bean Lip Balm – a gorgeous balm which contains a hydrating blend of plant oils and cocoa butter, plus raw organic Madagascan vanilla beans for a super creamy lip treat.
Extra tips:
Drink water – if your body is dehydrated, your skin will reflect it. Ensure you stay hydrated by drinking at least 1.5 litres of water a day, and try to avoid caffeine and alcohol where possible.
Eat good fats – beat dryness by topping up on foods containing vitamins C and E, both of which encourage the growth of new cells. Moisturise your skin from the inside out by consuming lots of essential fatty acids, found in Brazil nuts, avocados and olives.
Hydrate the air – central heating pulls the moisture out of the air, and your skin. To combat this problem, place bowls of water under radiators to add some moisture back into the room, or consider investing in a humidifier.
Header photo by Kathy White
