Winter Skin Care
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Winter Skin Care: How to Look After Your Skin During the Colder Months
With summer well and truly behind us and the cooler autumn weather becoming a daily occurrence, it’s time to start thinking about winter.
I love the cosy nights in front of the fire and the excuse to enjoy warming food, but one thing I don't love is the effect that cold winter weather can have on our skin!
Winter can be particularly challenging for our skin. Cold winds, low humidity, central heating and hot showers can all contribute to dry, tight and uncomfortable skin.
So, what can you do to keep your skin feeling healthy, comfortable and nourished throughout the winter months?
Winter Body Care
During winter, our skin has to cope with constant changes in temperature.
You might go from a warm home or office into freezing outdoor temperatures, then back into a heated environment again. Cold, dry air combined with central heating can contribute to moisture loss, leaving the skin feeling dry, tight, flaky or irritated.
Then there are those lovely hot showers and baths that we all crave when the weather is freezing!
Unfortunately, very hot water can strip the skin of its natural oils and make dryness worse. Keeping your bath or shower warm rather than very hot, and keeping it relatively short, can help protect your skin's natural moisture barrier.
Don't forget to moisturise afterwards, while your skin is still slightly damp, to help lock in moisture.
Body Treatments for Winter Skin
If your skin is feeling particularly dry or dehydrated, a professional body treatment can be a lovely way to give it some extra care.
A back or chest facial can cleanse, exfoliate and nourish the skin, helping to remove dead skin cells and leave the skin feeling smoother and refreshed.
A body wrap can also be a wonderfully relaxing winter treatment. Depending on the type of wrap chosen, it can help condition and moisturise the skin while giving you some much-needed time to relax.
And, of course, there is something particularly lovely about getting cosy and warm during a treatment when it's cold and miserable outside!
Winter Facial Treatments
Your face is particularly exposed during winter because, unlike the rest of your body, it isn't usually protected by several layers of clothing.
Cold winds and changes in temperature can leave the skin feeling dry, tight and uncomfortable. Lips can become chapped and the skin around the nose can become particularly sore during the winter months.
Even if you already have a good skincare routine, your skin's needs can change as the seasons change.
A professional facial can help cleanse, gently exfoliate and moisturise the skin, leaving your complexion feeling softer, smoother and more comfortable.
Your therapist can also assess your skin and recommend treatments and products according to your individual needs.
If you enjoy combining facial treatments with relaxation, adding a back, neck and shoulder massage can be a wonderful way to release tension while giving you some precious time to switch off.
Simple Winter Skin Care Tips
There are several simple things you can do at home to help your skin cope with the colder months.
Stay Hydrated
Drinking enough water is important for your overall health and wellbeing throughout the year.
Although drinking water isn't a magic solution for dry skin, staying adequately hydrated is an important part of looking after yourself, particularly during the colder months when central heating can make the air feel very dry.
Look After Your Diet
A varied, balanced diet provides the nutrients your body needs to maintain healthy skin and overall wellbeing.
Try to include plenty of fruit and vegetables, nuts, seeds, whole grains, healthy fats and good sources of protein.
Foods rich in vitamins, minerals and antioxidants can all form part of a healthy diet that supports your skin from within.
Avoid Very Hot Baths and Showers
I know how tempting it is to turn the temperature right up when you've been outside in freezing weather!
However, very hot water can strip away some of the skin's natural oils and may make dryness and irritation worse.
Try keeping your showers and baths warm rather than very hot and avoid spending too long in the water.
Moisturise Regularly
Moisturising regularly is particularly important during winter.
Choose a moisturiser that suits your skin type and apply it after bathing or showering to help maintain your skin's moisture barrier.
Don't Forget Your SPF
Just because it's winter doesn't mean you can forget about sun protection.
UV exposure still occurs throughout the year, so using a suitable SPF as part of your daily skincare routine is important, particularly if you spend time outdoors.
Winter in the UK can certainly be challenging: dark mornings, freezing winds, rain, cold temperatures and central heating can all take their toll on our skin.
But winter also gives us the perfect excuse to slow down, get cosy and give ourselves a little extra care.
So rather than waiting until your skin becomes really dry and uncomfortable, why not make winter skincare part of your regular self-care routine?
And if your skin needs a little extra help, a professional facial or body treatment can be a lovely way to give your skin some attention while giving yourself some much-needed relaxation time too.
Stay warm, look after your skin and enjoy the cosy side of winter!
Until next time,
Zoe
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