We know what winter feels like when a biting wind whips us about the face. It hurts. But discomfort is nothing to what cold weather can do to our looks.
Through the dark months of December, January and February, the face is impacted by a range of issues directly caused by freezing temperatures. They include reddening of the skin - sadly, not a sign of blooming health. What the flushed look indicates is that the cold has caused the dilation of blood vessels.
Perhaps the biggest problem winter presents is dehydration - something most people normally associate with summer. The problem here is two-fold - less humidity and reliance on central heating to keep warm. Both of these are factors when it comes to dry, flaky skin.
Winter strips our skin of essential oils, leaving it vulnerable to a range of skin concerns. If you have ever felt a taught, tingling sensation or even itchiness, your skin was reacting to the cold.
Hence, lack of hydration is something we need to seriously consider when it comes to skincare during winter.
How to hydrate skin in winter
The best time to protect your skin from the cold is as soon as the mercury drops. If you have been following our Autumn Skincare Regimen, you should now ensure that both day and night creams are rich and nourishing. During the day, you need a product that is going to protect your face and provide a barrier. Your evening routine should include a product that will nourish and revive the skin.
Going for heavier products over lightweight creams is a good bet. I recommend Nordic or mid-price range moisturisers for this period, along with hyaluronic acid and retinol serums. Take look at Lumene Nordic Hydra [Lähde] Hydration Recharge Overnight Cream.
This is the time of year when weekly treatments can really give your skin a boost. Hydrating face masks are a good bet and more preferable than, for instance, a clay mask. If you don't want to spend much, we recommend Garnier's Moisture Bomb Green Tea and Hyaluronic Acid Sheet Mask.
For extra hydration around the eyes, a good eye cream is essential. For boosted hydration, a collagen under-eye mask is recommended at least weekly. Remember, the delicate skin around the eyes is generally a lot less dense than elsewhere on the face - leaving it particularly exposed to damage. If you can't be faffed with masks, why not consider using pure aloe vera gel?
When it comes to cleansing, avoid using water that is too hot or too cold and stick with products developed to nourish the skin. Be careful when using toners, too. Invest in a product that will hydrate the skin.
Of course, keeping your fluid intake up is essential. You may not feel like a glass of water or weak squash, but your body will really need it.
Don't forget your lips
What is the point of having plump, hydrated skin if your lips are dry and cracked? If you wear lipstick, ensure it is enriched with moisturisers or switch to a tinted lip balm. Use lip scrubs sparingly and gently and, if you are concerned, invest in a nourishing lip treatment.
Makeup users should ensure that lip liner pencils are regularly sharpened and that the pigment is soft. Poor maintenance of this type of product can scratch the skin and make any issues ten times worse.
Winter makeup
You can boost your winter skincare regimen by choosing makeup products carefully. Go for a foundation with moisturising ingredients, such as hyaluronic acid, and consider switching powdered products to cream ones.
Don't forget to moisturise and then prime your skin before applying makeup. You may also want to consider swapping a fixing spray for a hydrating mist.
Bring on winter!
Despite all the negatives associated with winter, it is the season of many festivities - Christmas being just one. It is the true party-time of the year and the period when we really should go out of our way to look fantastic.
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