Winter can be one of the hardest times of the year on skin –– not only is it freezing and windy outside (hello, chapped cheeks!), everyone’s got their radiators turned up so it’s also hot and dry inside. This combination can quickly leave even the best skin looking dry, flaky, and red.
Not your best look for all those holiday dos coming up in the next few months…
But it doesn’t have to be like this. Every winter I give my clients the same five tips for keeping their skin looking amazing all winter:
1. Moisturise, moisturise, moisturise.
One of the main reasons your skin suffers in winter is because it can get really dry. While it might not seem like it when we’re on day 16 of a rainy stretch, your skin can get dried out by harsh winds or by the lower humidity indoors that tends to come along with the winter months. A good moisturisation routine will go along way though –– use a natural, light moisturizer like Lola’s Apothecary oils before you go out in the morning and before you go to bed at night, your skin will love the moisture.
And along the same lines…
2. Stay hydrated.
Keeping your skin supple is an inside job –– what you put in your body is just as important as what you put on it. When you don’t get enough water, your skin cells literally deflate, becoming flatter and more delicate, all of which translates into that flaky, dull look. What’s worse, when your skin becomes really dehydrated, it may try to overcompensate by producing extra oil, which can leave you greasy rather than glowing. So make sure you’re drinking water throughout the day, and pay even more attention to this during the holidays, when we tend to drink a lot of alcohol and hot chocolate, both of which are less-than-fantastic for your skin.
3. Wear sunblock.
You hear beauty therapists go on and on about sun protection, but for good reason. UV damage is one of the biggest reasons people struggle with their skin … and it’s so easy to prevent! So make sure you’re still wearing sunblock when you’re outside during the colder months. Just because it’s not as warm as it might be in the summer doesn’t mean that the sun’s rays are any less powerful. In fact, you can get sunburned even when it’s overcast, so have a rummage round that carry on you shoved in the back of the closet after your last trip abroad and find your sunscreen!
4. Cover up.
Wind, rain, and snow can all do a number on your skin, so cover up as much as you can. You’re probably already doing this with most of your body, but don’t forget about your face and ears! The skin there is particularly delicate (the skin on some parts of your ears is only one cell thick), and it’s no match for the elements. Consider getting thick scarves that you can wrap around your neck and ears, wear hats, and if you’re going to be out doing sport, wear something like a face wrap to protect your cheeks and nose.
5. Exfoliate.
This might seem a bit counterintuitive. After all, when your skin is already damage-prone simply because of the weather, why would you want to strip it down even more? But exfoliation, done properly, just removes the top layer of dead skin cells, which encourages the growth of new cells and leaves them open to all the benefits of those moisturisers you’re using. Try using a gentle exfoliant like Vitage’s Micro Exfoliator, or come in for a professional treatment and get a combination exfoliation/deep moisturising treatment to really protect your skin.
What if your skin is already damaged?
Sometimes there’s nothing you can do about it –– you didn’t realise how cold or windy the day was, you forgot your sunblock and went skiing anyway, or you get caught short during a run. The result? Red, angry, tight skin. Your first step is to gently wash the skin in lukewarm water, gently pat it dry, and then give it a little love with a deep moisturising treatment. Follow up with a little extra moisturisation over the next couple of days, avoid getting hot water on the area, and consider coming in for a little professional help. We do bespoke facial treatments for all kinds of skin issues, so use our expertise to get your skin back to happy!
We’d love to take care of you –– click here to book in for a treatment.