With the temperature dropping significantly (we hit -11 degrees a couple of weeks ago!), I thought it was a good time to provide some top tips for cold-weather care for your amazing skin. The cold, wet and windy weather can cause flare ups of a range of skin conditions (including eczema) and constantly shuffling between cold temperatures and central heated spaces can leave skin feeling dry and uncomfortable, so here are my top ten tips for looking after your skin in the winter:
- Moisturise, moisturise, moisturise! Cold wind can whip moisture away from your skin, and central heating can dry out your skin too, so it’s important to keep your skin hydrated by using a good moisturiser. This not only helps keep skin feeling comfortable but helps to maintain a protective layer between your skin and dirt and pollutants, helping to keep your skin healthy and preventing it from becoming dry and sore.
- Avoid Hot Showers: Hot showers can strip away natural oils that protect your skin from drying out, so opt for warm water instead. Your heating bills – and your skin – will thank you for it!
- Exfoliate – carefully! To keep skin looking smooth and radiant, consider using a very gentle scrub a couple of times a month. This will help remove any dead skin cells that may be clogging pores and will help to restore the natural radiance of your skin!
- Use a Humidifier: If you’re spending a lot of time indoors, consider investing in a humidifier to add moisture back into the air. This can help keep your skin from drying out during the winter months when the heating is on 24/7!
- Protect Your Lips: Don’t forget to keep your lips hydrated too! Opt for a lip balm that contains natural oils like coconut or almond to help protect them from the cold weather. When they dry out they can become sore and uncomfortable, increasing the risk of infection, so keep them hydrated with a good quality lip balm!
- Wear Sunscreen: Don’t forget that you still need sunscreen in the winter to protect you from the sun’s harmful UV rays, which can damage your skin even when the sun isn’t out! Look for one with an SPF of 30 or higher to protect your skin from harmful rays and prevent the premature signs of ageing caused by UVA and UVB rays.
- Drink Plenty of Water: Keeping your body hydrated is just as important as keeping your skin hydrated, so make sure to drink plenty of water throughout the day! This will help flush out toxins and keep your skin glowing even in cold weather.
- Avoid Long Hot Baths: Just like our hot shower recommendations! It may be tempting to take a hot bath on a cold winter day to warm yourself up, but try to avoid it if possible as it can dry out your skin and strip away the natural oils that form a protective barrier between your skin and dirt and pollutants that can irritate your skin and clog your pores. A warm bath is better for your skin in the long run!
- Eat Foods Rich in Vitamin C: Eating foods rich in vitamin C can help your skin stay healthy and glowing during the winter months. Foods like oranges, strawberries, kiwifruit, bell peppers, broccoli and spinach are all great sources of this essential vitamin. Vitamin C is also beneficial for overall wellbeing – particularly in the winter with so many coughs and colds about – so it’s a great vitamin to supplement your body with regularly.
- Wear Gloves: Protect your hands from the cold weather by wearing gloves when you go outside. This will help keep your hands hydrated and prevent them from drying out and cracking. Applying moisturiser to your hands regularly, particularly if you are washing your hands frequently, can also help. Our hands are one of the areas of our skin where the visible signs of ageing can appear most noticeable, but adequate hydration to keep them supple and smooth can help the skin on your hands to look and feel more youthful!
Following these tips can help you maintain healthy, glowing skin even in cold weather! So don’t forget to take care of yourself this winter and keep your skin looking its best.