Ask the Expert: Winter Skin
How and why skin behaves differently in winter
Our skin has a lot to contend with during winter – from rapidly changing temperatures and drying central heating to harsh winds, the elements all conspire to chip away at your skin barrier, making it susceptible to weakening and signs of impairment. Whilst many of us are familiar with dryness and chapped skin, it may surprise you to learn that breakouts and dullness are also common winter skin issues. To get nerdie, your body tends to hug your important internal organs during a cold spell – hence why we get icy fingers and toes! As for winter breakouts – these can be triggered when the skin overproduces oil to protect itself from dehydration.
Changes in the skincare routine can help.
If the skin’s barrier function is impaired, we may notice dehydration, dryness, redness and irritation. Adding a humectant such as hyaluronic acid to your routine is a great shout as it draws moisture to the skin, helping to plump up your complexion and keep it hydrated. Upping your intake of vitamin C can bring down redness and inflammation and help to even out your skin tone. Avene Tolerance Control Soothing Skin Recovery Cream works wonders on itchy, dry skin by quickly relieving sensations of discomfort and leaving the skin restored in just 48 hours. It also pays to stay diligent when it comes to exfoliation during the winter months, but instead of attacking your skin with harsh products, go gently with a barrier-respectful chemical exfoliant such as Skingredients Sally Cleanse 2% Salicylic Acid Oil Control Cleanser. This all-year hero contains blemish busting salicylic acid to gently but thoroughly clear excess oil and decongest the skin.
My must-have: Skingredients Skin Good Fats Ultra-Hydrating Ceramide Moisturiser
Super nourishing, ceramides are like a hug in a tub for the skin and really come into their own during the winter. Lipidic ingredients such as ceramide NP reinforce the skin’s barrier so it can recover from TEWL (Trans Epidermal Water Loss) faster so including ceramides in your winter skincare routine can help your skin to retain moisture. This being said, Skingredients Skin Good Fats Ultra-Hydrating Ceramide Moisturiser is my winter must-have. Not only is this multi-award-winning product adored by thousands for bringing comfort to the skin, but it contains ceramide NP, one of the smaller lipid molecules, meaning it can penetrate further into the skin to improve skin barrier functionality. This means that your skin can hold onto hydration better, won’t be as easily irritated and will have increased healing ability.
The Dr.Hauschka Facial Toner supports the skin’s natural processes of cleansing and renewal, refines the appearance of pores, balancing moisture and oil content, leaving skin looking and feeling healthy, toned and radiant. Facial Toner is the ideal daily care product all throughout the year.
Avene Tolerance Control Soothing Skin Recovery Balm immediately calms the skin and helps control its reactivity. It is an ultra-calming treatment for hypersensitive intolerant reactive or allergic skin.
