You’ve finally established a skincare routine that works for you, and then Winter arrives. For some of us, this isn’t so bad but for others who have already been battling dry flaky skin the arrival of Winter is something to dread. The windy, cold and dry atmosphere at this time of year can wreak havoc on your once-hydrated skin and cause no end of problems. This happens because the humidity drops, allowing more water to evaporate from your skin barrier, leading to dryness and cracking.
Your skin needs plenty of hydration to stay plumped, healthy and moist and this change in Wintertime works against that. The good news is that this is preventable and treatable, the key is to be ahead of the game and to take preventative measures as soon as you know Autumn is on its way. Follow my tips below for better skin this winter.
Proper Skin Care in Winter
It’s really important at this time of year to protect the skin’s barrier by ensuring you are not over-cleansing or exfoliating. This will make your skin drier and more susceptible to damage from cold wind causing irritation, cracking and inflammation. A weaker skin barrier can also lead to acne breakouts as your skin cannot fight off germs or toxins as easily and your skin will try to combat the dryness by producing more oil potentially clogging your pores.
Much like the summer when you would moisturise more to combat the effects of the sun, you need to keep moisturising all Winter long. Your skin will need more protection via nutrition, lifestyle, vitamins and plenty of hydrating creams. Whereas in the summer you may use lighter formulas now is the time to use something a little more heavy-duty with plenty of hydrating ingredients, fats for plumping and an SPF.
Start adjusting your routine as soon as the season changes and you’ll be able to prevent any potential damage and enjoy the winter season without issues.
Stay Hydrated from the Inside Out
As well as good nutrition and sleeping well staying hydrated in Winter is just as important as in the Summer. We tend to decrease our hydration levels when the weather is not so hot but your skin still needs a good level of daily liquids to function normally as well as provide extra protection against the elements.
The standard advice is to drink about 2 litres of water during the day (or more if you are training), even if you are not thirsty. I know this can be tricky but I’ve found the best way to stay on top of this is to buy a large water bottle or cup that you can keep on hand and take lots of sips throughout the day. You’ll be surprised how quickly you get through it.
Taking care of your nutrition and sleep alongside better hydration will enable your skin to function better and give you a fighting chance against any potential skin issues.
Upgrade Your Skincare Routine for Winter
In Winter, skin can appear dull or pale and this is because the capillaries in the skin are affected by the cold weather. Redness or broken veins are both signs that the cold air is getting to your skin and stripping it of all its essential nutrients.
At this time of year, we don’t want to strip the epidermis of its natural oils by using any exfoliating scrubs, acids or retinol. You may already be using a day and night cream but it’s a good idea to upgrade your night cream to something a little heavier or add a hydrating serum or mask.
Look for products with ingredients like Hyaluronic acid, Ceramides, Glycerine and natural oils. Antioxidant-rich fruit extracts are also excellent at providing protection and nutrients your skin will desperately need. Don’t be too sparing, especially at night time. This is the time when your skin will be working hard to repair itself so wearing a hydrating mask or serum to bed is only going to help the process.
Use Lukewarm Water
A lot of skincare guides will tell you to avoid hot showers or baths in cold weather because they can dry your skin out more than cooler water. I however cannot give you this advice because I know I would not take it. Hot showers in Winter are something I just could not give up so I don’t expect you to either, unless you prefer cold showers of course!
If like me you will be sticking to hot showers you’ll need to work a little harder to combat the effects on your skin. This could be with a heavier moisturising cream, oil, serum or a combination of the three. Make sure you use them straight after your shower and don’t forget to moisturise your body. Your body is just as susceptible to the cold and will need regular moisturising to keep it soft and supple.
If you are interested in cold water therapy then you could start or finish your shower with a minute or two of cooler water which will stimulate blood flow in the capillaries of the skin and increase overall circulation. This is not advisable if you have rosacea or other skin issues.
Outside of hot showers if you are washing your hands or face it is better to use lukewarm water to avoid the loss of lipids and moisturise immediately after. Don’t pat your skin dry before applying as the water on the surface of your skin will help the moisturisers to be absorbed and they will draw the liquid into your skin barrier creating a super boost of hydration.
Bring in the Humidifier for Happy Skin
Living in the UK, means winters are often wet and miserable and we spend a lot of time indoors. The bad weather means we open our windows less and combined with using central heating systems the rooms in our homes can become too dry. This causes several problems such as irritated airways and dry skin. On the other hand, too high air humidity leads to mould growth and allergic reactions.
A few ways to combat this is to open your windows for short periods each day to let the fresh air in and also to use a humidifier. The more moisture in the air, the less it evaporates from your skin. There are many affordable options available now but if you are not able to use one you could leave a few bowls of water around the room.
It can also help to turn the heating thermostat down a degree or two so your home is not too warm, central heating systems are notorious for drying out the air too much. This combined with creating some air flow should help a lot.
Feed Your Skin with Omega-3
Omega-3 is good for our bodies and skin and is an important component of our cell membranes. They have several benefits, from cholesterol management to reducing inflammation and enhanced brain development.
Fatty acids cannot be produced by the body on its own so including Omega-3’s in your diet or skincare is a great way to prevent moisture loss and promote the regeneration of the surface layer of your skin.
Be careful if you already have oily skin, it may be best to avoid oils rich in omega fatty acids as they can often be comedogenic. This means they tend to clog pores encouraging blackheads to form.
Use Serums
Serums are a fantastic way to give your skin extra nutrients that it may be missing. They are usually formulated with ingredients that allow you to target specific problems and can be added easily to most skincare routines. Serums have lots of moisturising benefits as they strengthen the skin barrier as well as provide antioxidant and reparative properties.
To get the most out of a serum it is probably better to apply it at night-time so it can be fully absorbed and use the treatment to replenish the moisture and oils your skin needs. But really there is no harm in using them in the day as well. If you know your skin tolerates the treatment well it may work better to use it twice a day, especially over the winter months when it needs a little more help than normal.
Sunscreen: Not Just for Summer
In winter, you naturally stay indoors more often and don’t go out as much because who else wants to freeze for no reason? But when you do go out you will not be exempt from skin damage caused by the sun. Anytime you are outdoors even through winter you are susceptible to UV damage. Climate change is making the sun’s rays stronger than they’ve ever been and applying sunscreen is probably one of the most important things you can do to protect your skin.
Although UVB rays reduce during Autumn and Winter the UVA rays shine equally strong all year round and it’s still possible to get sunburnt at this time of year.
The best way to protect yourself against the sun and its ageing effects is to apply SPF to your face every day. You need to apply it after your normal skincare products but before you apply your make-up. It’s easy to include it in your daily routine and with plenty of SPF products now available to suit all skin types there’s really no excuse for not using it.
Don’t forget your lips too, they are notorious for becoming dry and flaky in the winter and the added sun doesn’t help. Keep a moisturising lip balm with added SPF in your bag and apply it whenever you can.
Conclusion
Dry skin is common in winter. The extreme difference in temperatures from indoor to outdoor spaces and the added elements of wind, cold temperatures and rain all mean your skin can take a battering at this time of year. To combat this you need to be proactive with your skincare and look after yourself on the inside and out.
A healthy active lifestyle is the first vital step to great skin and will give you a head start in Winter. After this, the best tip I can give you is to protect, nourish and love your skin and you’ll skin will reward you by staying super healthy, hydrated and plump all year long.
