Winter has well and truly arrived, bringing chilly mornings and blustery winds that can wreak havoc on your skin. Failing to properly protect your skin from the harsh winter conditions can leave your skin looking and feeling dry and irritated. No one wants that!
To help you beat the winter blues we’ve prepared our top seven winter skincare tips to keep your skin looking healthy and glowing all year round!
1. Don’t abandon the sunscreen
Just because the temperature drops and the sun disappears behind the clouds doesn’t mean you should ditch the sunscreen! Harmful UV rays don’t take a break in winter so it’s important to protect any exposed skin, especially your face. Choosing a specially formulated hydrating sunscreen will not only protect your skin but will help lock in moisture for a radiant complexion.
2. Moisturise, moisturise, moisturise!
The cold and bitter winds evaporate moisture from your skin and strip it of its natural oils, so it’s incredibly important to ensure you give your skin the attention it deserves with proper hydration. If your skin is particularly susceptible to drying out then you may need to up your moisturiser game and choose a moisturiser that is thicker and heavier to provide that added hydration. Don’t forget to moisturise your whole body too, just because it’s covered up all day doesn’t mean your skin won’t dry out underneath all those layers. Lathering up before bed is the best time to moisturise as it allows your skin to replenish and repair overnight.
3. Invest in a humidifier
While cranking up the heat in your home or office is a sure fire way to stay warm, it can also be the culprit of dry and flaky skin. Heaters suck all the moisture out of both the air and your skin, so investing in a humidifier which injects vapour into the air to increase moisture levels can help prevent your skin from dehydrating. Placing a humidifier in your bedroom not only has great benefits for keeping your skin happy but can also improve the quality of your sleep.
4. Stay hydrated
In winter we tend to drink a lot of warm beverages, but it’s important to make sure you’re drinking enough water too. A lack of adequate hydration can turn your skin dry and flaky, and dry skin is less resilient and more vulnerable to wrinkles. Hydrating your skin from the inside out by drinking two litres of water a day is one of the easiest ways to help your skin look and feel rested and refreshed.
5. Try a hydrating cleanser
If the minute you step out of the shower you feel your face become tight it may be time to invest in a hydrating cleanser. The more time you leave between cleansing your face and applying moisturiser, the more it will dry out which can lead to a host of skin problems such as eczema and dermatitis. A hydrating cleanser will help restore and protect the skin’s natural defence barrier and lock in moisture for softer skin.
6. Cover up
Protecting your skin where you can will also help prevent dehydration. Areas such as your hands where your skin is thinner than anywhere else on the body, are especially prone to drying and cracking which can be unsightly and painful. When outside wear a pair of warm gloves, always dry your hands properly after you wash them and keep some hand cream close to ensure your skin stays moisturised.
7. Don’t neglect the lips
There’s nothing worse than chapped and cracked lips. Your lips are always exposed so it’s essential to ensure they are always moisturised. Keep a lip balm handy at all times, pop one in your handbag, keep one in your car and a few at home so your lips are never starved of moisture. Look out for balms containing the intensely hydrating ingredient shea butter for soft and supple lips.
With these helpful tips you can say goodbye to dry, flaky skin and enjoy winter without the worry!
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