It’s common knowledge that as the days get colder and the air gets drier, our skin begins to suffer. Our skin is just as important as any other organ in our body so knowing how to look after it is vital. It can help us to recognise when something might be wrong. Even if not for health purposes, keeping our skin healthy and moisturised can just make us feel that bit more comfortable when fighting the elements.
Where is it that so many of us are going wrong winter after winter? For one, even though it doesn’t feel like we need as much of it in winter, we need water! Hydration is so important for so many aspects of our health, the skin included. Without proper hydration, your skin will become dry and uncomfortable, and even risk causing skin conditions such as eczema.
However, dry skin can be caused by a lot of other rookie mistakes we make, such as licking our lips to give them hydration – when actually it does the opposite! A personal recommendation of a good lip balm to stop doing this is Burt’s Bees Moisturising Lip Balm. Hotter showers are also another cause of dry skin. Whilst they do feel amazing, they can cause further irritation by damaging the cells on the outermost layer of the skin, stopping them from being able to lock in moisture. Instead, have cooler showers or baths which are great for helping you hydrate.
Luckily, there are plenty of things we can do to treat our skin to make it feel smooth and soft. For one, moisturisers and lotions are designed to help rehydrate your skin so finding a good face, lip, hand and body creams are important. A good recommendation for hand cream is Neal’s Yard’s Geranium and Orange Hand Cream; not only does it smell lovely but it is also made up of a thicker consistency which is what is advised to use in winter to make up for the dry air. Using cream-based cleansers is another really good example of achieving this. Some great choices for this are The Body Shop’s Vitamin E Cream Cleanser or No 7’s Radiant Results Nourishing Cleansing Lotion – both have heavier formulas which are likely to keep your face moisturised for longer. Reducing dry skin can also help with anyone trying to apply foundation, as a dry face will create problems with application, whilst bearing that in mind what you use to put on and take off makeup. A great cleanser is Lush’s Ultrabland Facial Cleanser: the beeswax used in it makes it very gentle to take off and will prevent irritation.
Whilst dry skin is a problem which many people face in winter, there are other areas that are still important, but sometimes get forgotten. For example, looking for products with SPF in them is still crucial. Even though we stop getting that warm sun for 12 hours a day, it’s still important to use SPF to protect our skin. Whilst it is known for protecting us from UV rays it also has other benefits such as anti-aging.
If you’re finding that moisturisers and other skin products are not helping, don’t fret! The air becomes much drier in winter so having a humidifier in your house will add moisture back into the air and into your skin. Avoiding harsh facial washes or toners can also help as they might contain harsh chemicals that will dry your skin out, try switching these out for lighter versions to see if you notice a difference.
If you have acne-prone skin then try to avoid skincare products with salicylic acid in, as too much can irritate and dry the skin. Coconut oil is a favourite product for many yet this product can cause blocked pores which result in breakouts. If you feel like any part of your routine is drying out your skin then don’t be afraid to swap it out for something different, little things like these can make all the difference!
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Skincare tips for winter months
