The combination of cold weather and indoor heating during the winter months can make our skin look dull and flat. If you suffer from dry, or eczema prone skin, you may have a tough time finding a winter skincare routine that works for you. Whilst the vast array of sheet masks, serums and creams may leave you in a limbo when it comes to skincare, we’ve complied our top ten tips to fight against chapped and sore skin this season.
1. Keep Drinking Water
First thing’s first, stay hydrated. Drinking around 2-3 litres of water a day will help plump your skin, making you look younger. Staying hydrated helps your skin cells rejuvenate a lot faster too, so your dark circles and wrinkles will rapidly appear less defined. As they say, the best things in life are free!
2. Cleanse
Use a creamy cleanser when taking your make up off, and avoid make up wipes. Cleansers are a great, gentle way to get rid of impurities on your face, and won’t strip your skin of any of its natural and necessary oils.
3. Exfoliate
Exfoliating is a great way to get rid of any dead skin cells on your face, which then allows products to sink into your skin more effectively. Doing so 1 to 2 times per week will result in a much brighter complexion. Use a gentle exfoliator too, as you don’t want to irritate the delicate skin on your face.
4. Get into Serum
Do your research, and invest in a good serum. Their lightweight formulas mean that the product sinks into the skin a lot faster than a thick moisturiser, giving you fast results. Keep an eye out for ingredients, and look for a serum with plumping hyaluronic acid to keep your face looking bright and nourished.
5. Keep Up With The Sun Cream
Just because the sun isn’t shining doesn’t mean that harmful UV rays aren’t damaging your skin, and they can end up causing irreversible damage. Apply sun cream to any areas that your skin may be exposed to, for example your hands and face. This will protect against dark spots and premature signs of ageing.
6. Stay Moisturised
Your light summer moisturiser may not be quite as effective during the harsh weather of winter, so you may need to start using a thicker oil based moisturiser such as a night cream to allow to your skin to rejuvenate and allow the product to do its magic as you sleep. Use moisturiser after serum for hydrated and fresh skin.
7. Discover Facial Oils
Use natural, non clogging facial oils over night. Sleeping in facial oils means they have time to penetrate your skin. Look for ones with soothing ingredients, such a rose, which counteract your dull complexion, meaning that you’ll wake up glowing.
8. Focus On Your Hands
Hands can often crack during cold weather due to their delicate nature and their lack of oil glands, unlike other parts of our body. If you’re going to wear gloves, make sure they’re cotton ones as to not irritate the skin, and use a good quality fragrance free hand cream.
9. Avoid Using Harsh Chemicals
Keep an eye out for alcohol based products, as these are the ones to avoid. Use a gentler cleansing milk, and opt for hydrating masks, but try not to use them too often as the products can sit on the surface and clog up pores.
10. Stick To Cold Showers
Avoid taking baths or showers at too hot a temperature, as these can make your skin lose essential moisture during the winter months. Instead, opt for cool or warm showers, and moisturise whilst your skin is still damp, to allow it to soak up the products more effectively.
