Winter skin

Pro tips on how to switch up your regimen and keep your glow.

It’s cold outside! And, while we love fresh, frosty walks and lounging by a cosy fire, winter’s effect on skin health is less desirable.

 I find that at this time of year my clients start to complain of dry, tight, itchy skin. My advice: Layer up! Like our winter wardrobes, wrapping up your skin against the elements with simple switches and add-ons makes all the difference to skin happiness, health and glow.

 Why does winter affect skin so much?

Falling temperature and humidity upsets skin’s PH balance and microbiome which kick-starts excess moisture loss. The resulting lack of water restricts vital skin functions, eventually degrading the natural protective barrier and heightening exposure to sensitising irritants. For those already troubled with rosacea, eczema, ichthyosis and psoriasis, this only makes matters worse.

 Cooler air also makes blood vessels contract in a bid to preserve heat. This lowers the oxygen and nutrients normally delivered to skin cells, therefore compromising the ability to repair. Add to this the constant switch between hotter showers, frosty external environments, heated interiors and biting wind, and it’s no surprise that skin’s happy harmony is upset.

Here are my top winter skin heroes for balanced, glowing skin and barrier health

 What to switch:

1.      Cleanser. If you normally use a gel or foam and your skin feels taut after cleansing, then the skin barrier has been compromised. It’s time to show it some gentle cleansing care.

 Pro tip:

●       Switch to a creamy or milky cleanser – my favorite is Intensive Moisture Cleanser, with its unique cleansing system, essential lipids and fatty acids, actively replenish and calm the skin as it cleans.

 2.      Moisturiser. Your easiest winter skin upgrade… though be sure to choose the right formula for your skin’s particular needs. Is it dry or dehydrated?

In short, dry skin always feels dry and has done for as long as you can remember. Your skin will not only be dry on your face but body too. Dehydrated skin, on the other hand, comes and goes and can effect anyone; occurring when skin lacks sufficient water, causing it to feel tight and even experience oily breakouts.

Pro tips:

●       Dry skin? Switch to supercharged Intensive Moisture Balance. Its high dose of Aloe Barbadensis and Hyaluronic Acid helps replenish skin, while prebiotic Chlorella Algae supports a stable skin microbiome and optimises barrier function.

●       Dehydrated? Step up to Skin Smoothing Cream. This state-of-the-art complex of Hyaluronic Acid, vitamins and phytosterols delivers targeted hydration, helps reduce moisture loss and maintain a healthy microbiome.

What to add:

 1.      Serum. Ultra-light yet rich in concentrated actives, serums are one of the quickest and best ways to replenish lost nutrients and restore skin resilience against the elements, they also contain your highest percentages of actives.

Pro tips:

●       Experiencing fluctuating dehydration? Reach for Skin Hydrating Booster: Its high levels of Hyaluronic Acid really help rehydrate and plump parched skin.

●       Constantly dry skin? Let Overnight Repair Serum come to your rescue – its rich concentration of plant sterols and essential fatty acids help reinforce the lipid barrier.

 2.  Exfoliants. A light exfoliator shifts dry, flaky and dulling dead skin cells to reveal fresh, radiant skin. The added bonus: Your serums and moisturisers also absorb into skin far more effectively.

Pro tips:

●       Daily Microfoliant should be your first port of call – a beauty icon for good reason; polishing skin to perfection while keeping struggling skin calm.

●       For particularly stubborn dry skin, step up to our Daily Superfoliant or Rapid Reveal Peel, with their super-smoothing alpha hydroxy acids and enzymes.

 3.      Face Oil. Oils are an especially effective way of reinforcing the skin’s barrier while replacing the essential fatty acids, lipids and ceramides that winter strips away. Add them to your evening regimen to help boost overnight skin regeneration.

Pro tip:

It doesn’t get much better than Phyto Replenish Oil. This feather-light, next-generation treatment oil helps replenish protective lipids, restore skin’s natural barrier and lock in critical moisture.

If you need any advice, get in contact and we can guide you through what would be most suitable for your skin.