It might seem a little early, but there’s a chill in the air that says it’s time to welcome the crisp winter mornings and say goodbye to summer sunshine, denim shorts and bronzing lotions. Many of us curse the effects of a harsh winter on our delicate skin, but with just a bit of preparation we could face the season’s changes feeling soft, hydrated and happy! It’s a no-brainer to make the transformation in your wardrobe from summer dresses to knitwear and the same should apply to your skincare routine. To help you banish your winter worries and avoid the dreaded dryness, just follow these simple beauty tips and you’ll be wrapped up and ready to go. This winter, leave the flakes to the snow!
Cleanse, tone, moisturise
We hear these three words time and time again and yet such straightforward steps are often overlooked. Now is more important than ever to take note of your skincare routine, both morning and night, to help restore radiance lost. Your skin is much more sensitive to outside conditions in the winter and natural oil plays a huge part in maintaining a healthy glow. Make sure to avoid harsh cleansers and alcohol-based toners and instead opt for gentle cleansing milks, such as this Cucumber Cleansing Milk from the Body Shop. The word ‘oil’ often rings alarm bells for those who have ever suffered from greasy, spot-prone skin, but it needn’t be that way. In fact, certain oils are known to be beneficial rather than problematic, especially during this icy season. Oils such as primrose oil, mineral oil and almond oil are non-greasy alternatives which create a protective layer on the skin, just as we layer up with jumpers and scarves! Investing in an oil-based moisturiser over water-based products could be the best gift for your skin this festive season. For a beautiful hydrating winter glow, you can pick up inexpensive but effective moisturising creams at Boots, like the Oil of Evening Primrose with Vitamin E Rich Moisturising Cream.
Hands and feet
It may be easy to hide away those unsightly fingers and toes during the coming months but they still need to be given the TLC they deserve. Not only do we use our hands constantly throughout the day, the skin here is thinner than the rest of the body and needs a little extra care in staying soft and supple. Cold weather and severe windy spells can cause painful cracking of the skin, dryness and itching. Whenever you’re out in the open, take care to always wear soft gloves and keep a soothing hand cream within reach inside your handbag. The Body Shop has a great range, including the Vitamin E Hand and Nail Treatment which can be massaged regularly into the palms to fight the unforgiving weather conditions. Don’t forget your feet! Strong foot lotions are equally essential moisture-boosters and products containing glycerine are the best for keeping them in tip-top shape. Before moisturising, it’s good to create a blank canvas for your feet by exfoliating away dry skin with a scrub or foot file and allowing moisture-rich creams to sink into the skin more effectively.
Turn down the heat
The weather outside may be frightful, but don’t be tempted to overcompensate for the cold with a blistering hot bath or shower. Intense heat from the water will result in a loss of moisture and adversely affect your skin – so cool down and chill out! For a do-it-yourself beauty tip, add a sprinkle of blended oatmeal to a lukewarm (not hot!) bath for the relief of dry and itchy skin conditions. Relax and enjoy your winter-ready silky skin!
