Proper face and body care during the winter season is mandatory, because the skin suffers from dry air, sudden temperature changes, cold and wind. So, I thought, today would be a perfect time to speak about different products, which will help to protect your skin this winter. And for this reason, I decided to interview one of the skincare experts – Andrea, she is a trained and qualified dermatology specialist, and ask her about most common winter skincare tips. I felt amazed after the interview with her because I discovered lots of different things that I didn’t know before. So I hope you’re going to enjoy this material, as well as I did.
Don’t say goodbye to your sunscreen just because summer is over! UV rays that can cause lines and wrinkles are in the atmosphere 365 days of the year. Those UVA rays can penetrate through clouds & glass – yes, even when it’s raining or snowing. So if you are concerned about premature ageing don’t leave home without it.
The winter weather can strip away your skin moisture levels leaving it feeling tight and dry. Most people’s skin demands a richer moisturiser during the winter months. A cream that contains either glycerin, urea, ceramides and vitamin E is ideal.
DIET
There is no denying that good skin comes from what we put in our bodies. So making sure your diet is full of vitamins & minerals is essential.
Drink water is important to stay hydrated and healthy. The skin loves moisture, so drinking water is important to avoid dryness. I notice that the skin texture on my forehead is drier and rough when I haven’t drunk much water that day, so please, be sure to control your water balance during the winter season.
WHAT TO USE
If you don’t want to change your moisturiser to a richer one or your moisturiser isn’t hydrating enough, try adding a hyaluronic acid serum. You need to layer your skin care just as your clothes. A hydrating b5 serum used underneath your moisturiser will penetrate deep into the skin, nourishing the bottom layer of cells so when they come to the surface they will be hydrated, plumper & healthier. My favourites are medik8 & SkinCeuticals hydrating B5 serums.
Look for the ingredients listed below in your moisturiser – helping skin maintain its moisture levels, strengthening skin’s protective barrier and helping to prevent water loss.
- Humectants – Urea, glycerol, hyaluronic acid;
- Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHA’s) – glycolic acid, lactic acid;
- Beta Hydroxy Acids (BHA’s) – salicylic acid;
- Enzymes – Papain digests keratin protein;
- Lipid-enriched – ceramides – to help maintain the skin’s natural protective layer;
- Niacinamide – It has anti-inflammatory properties;
- Fatty Acids – linoleic acid – They act as a barrier and aid permeability of the skin;
- Vitamin C – relieves inflammation and dryness;
- Botanical extracts – many are helpful.
WHAT TO AVOID
You should avoid soap, which has a drying effect on the skin, as well as alcohol based products, they can also cause dryness and irritation. Perfumed and heavily scented products can cause irritation. Sticking with your summer skincare routine – summer and winter provide vastly different conditions for your skin and you need to be aware of this change.
THE RIGHT ORDER
It is the order in which the products are applied & how the products are absorbed that matters. The rule of thumb is thinnest through to thickest (the thickest product being the sunscreen). For example, a water-based serum product is always better applied first, followed by an oil-based serum then finally a cream.
There are also some exceptions to this rule: sometimes two different products’ textures just aren’t compatible. They don’t play well together, so the best thing would be is to wait between applications for them to dry. Finally, it is important to remember that the performance of any products applied is unaffected by the use and application of any other product.
TIPS & TRICKS
Try adding daily exfoliating ingredients like AHA’s (glycolic acid/lactic acid, Polyhydroxy acids) into your skincare regime. Exfoliation will buff away the dead cells that might otherwise dull our complexion. The new skin will be ready to absorb all the moisturiser you will be applying. By exfoliating, also helps with hydration. Cells transitioning from below the skin surface to the topmost layer bring with them essential lipids and moisture.
For added hydration during the winter, pamper yourself with a weekly hydrating mask. SkinCeuticals hydrating mask is my favourite.
In addition to your skincare regime, if you still want an additional boost during the winter months try adding an advanced hydration supplement at night. I would definitely recommend you to try this one H3O Hydration.
Lastly don’t forget to protect your lips too using lip balms, as this is a very fragile area and needs hydrating & protecting.