Looking after your skin in Winter

 

 

Winter may be drawing to a close, however it looks like there’s still a few weeks of red noses, chapped lips and dry hands ahead. If winter has taken its toll on your skin follow our advice for giving your skin the extra love and attention it needs.

Skin needs a different kind of nourishment in winter to help protect from the elements. Oil based moisturisers are better suited for winter conditions as they make a protective barrier on the skin. For your face it’s best to use moisturisers that contain non-clogging oils like avocado oil, mineral oil, primrose oil, or almond oil. It’s also a great time of year to treat yourself to a facial to assess your skin needs and get product recommendations.

Remember: sun cream isn’t just for the summer. Even on the dullest of winter days there can be high levels of UV light that can damage skin, especially when it’s snowy outside. Actress Nomi Watts revealed her biggest beauty tip is to wear sun cream all year round. Applying it to exposed areas such as the skin on your face and hands can help prevent skin ageing.

Be prepared. It’s always handy to bring spare socks and gloves with you or leave a pair in the car, in work etc. Wet fabric can cause skin irritations and flare ups of skin conditions such as eczema. Likewise keep hand creams and moisturisers in a few places too so you’ll never be caught out without one. It’s also a great way to use up Christmas gift sets.

Hands are also exposed to frequent washing as well as harsh alcohol sanitisers which wash away the oils needed to keep skin nourished. To give your hands a treat, invest in a pair of moisturising gloves. Before you go to sleep slather your hands in a thick hand cream and put the gloves on. Rather than rubbing off on your sheets the gloves cocoon your hands with cream.

After a long day out in the wind and rain there’s nothing better than a nice hot bath. It’s important to remember though that soaking for too long can be quite drying on the skin, especially if you take baths every day. Using moisturiser or body oils after a bath can help to rehydrate your skin.