Where has the year gone? Autumn is already here – and winter isn’t far behind. Okay, Halloween parties are fun and who doesn’t love the fireworks? But with all the celebrations comes a lot of cold weather for our skin to battle against.
I’m constantly asked to help with dry or red skin throughout the colder months, and it’s a pain for me too. But in truth, prevention is always better than the cure. In this post, I’ll take you through my top tips for winter skincare.
1. Stay hydrated
Since being kids, we’ve all been told to drink eight glasses of water a day – or somewhere around that mark. Well, guess what? It’s true. It really does help. But it’s not just for coping with dehydration in the hot weather.
Staying hydrated helps to boost elasticity in the skin which leaves it feeling soft and plumped up, and can even prevent wrinkles.
It can also help with oily skin. Sometimes, your skin will produce more oil to make up for a lack of fluid. So, by keeping your skin hydrated, you might even be able to tackle that oily problem.
Try to drink eight glasses of water (around 1.2 litres) a day to keep your skin well-watered.
2. Remember to moisturise
You’d be surprised how many people don’t keep up with their moisturisation routine! One of the best ways to protect your skin in winter is to keep it moisturised. A lightweight, non-greasy moisturiser is a godsend when it comes to settling your skin and keeping it nourished – even under makeup!
Use a gentle product that’s packed with moisture and antioxidants, like our Whipped Cream Moisturiser. It will keep your skin baby soft and cared for, with SPF30 protection to protect you from the winter sun too. Bonus!
3. Use serum
Alright – moisturiser is a big must. But it’s not a standalone solution for winter skincare. To keep your skin in tip-top condition this winter, it’s best to use serum too. Think of this as your shield for the months ahead. Serum gives your skin extra protection and can be used in the morning, at night or before makeup for a smooth base.
For my tried and tested six-step routine, I use our Soft as Silk Serum which is packed with nourishing oils to give your skin the care it deserves.
4. Look after your lips
Ahhh – there’s nothing worse than chapped lips! And winter is peak season for this age-old problem. First things first, don’t lick them when they get dry. That will only dry them out more and make things worse.
My best advice here is to invest in a good lip balm. It will keep your lips nourished and moisturised to stop the unbearable cracking that makes it painful to speak or even smile.
5. Wear gloves
The skin on your hands can get really sensitive in winter. I know mine does.
The solution? Gloves, gloves and more gloves. Whenever you’re going out in the cold, make sure your hands are protected from the cold.
It’s also best to be careful when you’re washing them too. We’ve all become clean freaks of late, which is great in some ways. But it can dry your skin out if you wash them too much -and nobody wants that.
6. Treat your skin kindly
When your skin gets dry and flaky, it can be tempting to reach for the exfoliating cream. But you can’t scrub away dryness! With all the rain and cold, skin gets even more sensitive in the winter. If you’re too aggressive, it could make the situation even worse.
Instead, stick to skincare products that are gentle and get into a routine to keep it hydrated, smooth and soft.
7. Keep up the great work
Winter skincare is so important! But the best way to prepare for the harsh conditions is by keeping your skin healthy all year round.
Far too often, I hear about people dropping their skincare routine the minute spring comes around. Trust me – it’s a much better idea to keep up with it.
If you want a hand caring for your skin, check out my skin type prescription tool to find out which skin type you have and how best to care for it. Then enjoy soft, smooth skin all year round!