How to banish the winter blues and ensure your skin sparkles
This year, we have probably spent more time at home than ever before, which can have a dramatic effect on our skin. The nights are dark, the days are cold and lockdown never seems to end. To add insult to injury, we are having to combat the winter weather.
Taking some time out to do a little skincare self-care is extremely important, especially at the moment.
Jenna Unwin, founder of beauty brand Million Dollar Facial, shares her top tips to get us through the winter months and get our glow back for the start of a new year...
Vitamin D
This hero vitamin can only be made with moderate exposure to daylight and, with our exposure to daylight being at an all-time low, this will lead to a decrease in mood, an acceleration in skin ageing and more pigmented skin. Daily supplements can help this.
Microbiome
Lack of daylight can allow new colonies of bacteria to form in your skin due to some of the sterilising effects of sunlight. This can spark outbreaks or low-grade inflammation leading to dry, sensitive and flaky skin. To help manage this, make sure you are eating a well-balanced diet full of leafy greens and veg.
Hydration
Staying hydrated is vitally important to keep your skin looking fresh and healthy from the inside out. Sticking to a hydration routine is super handy. We recommend drinking six glasses of water a day. Spread this out so you are splitting up your intake.
Central heating
Central heating can play havoc on your skin! Naturally, when it’s so cold outside we want to make sure we’re warm and cosy inside. Central heating can dry the air in your home, causing further dehydration and increase the amount of free radicals. Try reducing the heat a little or wear an extra layer if you need to reduce the core temperature without relying on the central heating. And try opening the windows for 30 minutes per day to reduce
any harmful pollutants in the household environment – but turn the heating off first!
Alcohol and diet
At this time of the year, we are bombarded with temptation from TV adverts, online marketing and even in the supermarkets. Remember – you are what you eat! Make sure you are engaging in a balanced diet. If you do indulge make sure you balance this out with a few good healthy food days.
As for alcohol, we recommend having two completely alcohol-free days for every day you do choose to drink.
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As told to Tracey Bryce