It’s time to winterproof your skin
Winter has arrived, and with it gingerbread lattes, kisses under the mistletoe and snuggly knitwear. But winter also means tumbling temperatures – and the cold weather can play havoc with your face and body.
Low humidity and cold air draws moisture away from the skin, which can leave it feeling dry and looking red. Central heating, turned up to the max, exacerbates this.
Thankfully, help is at hand, and we’re here to tell you there are plenty of ways to winterproof.
From shaking up your skincare to eating well, our handy guide will have you ready for whatever the season throws at you.
SKINCARE SAVIOURS
Switch up your skincare routine with these winter wonders.
● If your skin feels tight and dry this winter, swap to a milder cleanser such as the super-soothing Avene Tolerance Gentle Cleanser, £12 (escentual.com), which is suitable for the most sensitive skin.
● Look for moisturisers and serums containing hyaluronic acid and urea as these are humectant so bind moisture to the skin.
Try Vichy Mineral 89, £25 (lookfantastic.com), a serum designed to rehydrate, protect the skin barrier and feed the skin with moisture over 24 hours.
It’s also the only hyaluronic acid serum to be recognised by the
British Skin Foundation.
● While you may think exfoliation should be avoided if your skin is feeling dry, the opposite is true. That said, use AHAs such as glycolic acid or lactic acid to help dissolve dead skin cells rather than a scrub, which can dry out the skin.
Done once or twice a week it will promote a healthy glow and prevent breakouts or blocked pores. Try Q+A Apple Exfoliating Gel, £8.50 (Holland & Barrett).
● If your complexion is looking blotchy, break open an evening primrose oil capsule and smooth the contents over cleansed skin.
It’s very high in gamma-linolenic acid, which restores the moisture barrier and helps reduce redness.
● Don’t forget your SPF. Bright winter sunshine can cause just as much skin damage as the summer rays. You should use a minimum of SPF40 every day.
● Winter can be really tough on our hands as they tend to be the most exposed part of our body.
They also have fewer oil glands, so there’s less natural defence against cold, dry air. If they’re feeling the effects of winter, apply a glycerinebased hand cream then pop on a pair of gloves – the warmth will help the ingredients penetrate.
● Avoid super-hot showers as these strip the skin of natural oils and can cause dryness and itching.
Use a creamy body wash formula with hydrators such as shea butter, and avoid harsh cleansers that contain sodium lauryl (or laureth) sulfate. Post-shower, massage in The Body Shop Shea Body Butter, £18 (The Body Shop).
● Once a week try a lukewarm bath with oatmeal. Use half a cup. Oats contain anti-inflammatory avenanthramides, which soothe dry skin.
LIFESTYLE SWITCHES
● Turn the heating down. Overheating your home can suck the moisture out of the air leading to dry, inflamed skin, which over time can lead to broken veins and rosacea.
● Invest in a humidifier to counteract the dry air (40 to 60 per cent humidity is optimal).
Alternatively, place a bowl of cold water in the room as a way to add back some of the lost moisture.
● Vitamin D plays an essential role in skin protection, growth and repair. So make sure you get out in the daylight for at least 30 minutes every day.
EAT TO BEAT THE CHILL
● Fill up on vitamin and antioxidant-rich food to boost skin and health.
Vitamin A – found in liver, dairy produce and dark green and yellow fruits and vegetables.
Vitamin C – found in fresh fruit, vegetables and blue, black and red berries.
Vitamin E – found in plant oils, nuts, seeds, eggs and milk.
● Fill up on foods that are rich in skin-loving essential fatty acids.
The best source is oily fish, such as salmon, mackerel, fresh tuna and sardines. Try to include it at least two to three times a week.
● Zinc inhibits the virus responsible for the cold infections (rhinovirus) and is found in meat, peanuts and seafood – especially oysters.
● Pack in some plant protein like lentils. They can be added to nearly every meal including soups, stews and pies.
They work in a similar way to the hormone oestrogen and can help your skin retain elasticity.
● Drink more water and stay hydrated.
Avoid overdoing alcohol as it is dehydrating and causes small blood vessels to widen, leading to flushed skin.
● For more of Lesley’s tips, visit lesleyreynolds.com