Get your best Winter Skin

June 28, 2019

Winter is a particularly tough time of the year for your skin, and if it’s already prone to dryness, you’ve probably noticed that it gets a lot worse through the coldest months. It might feel tighter than usual, look ashy or red, flake, itch, or even crack. And if you’re prone to acne, you may find that winter is the worst time of year for breakouts.

After protecting your skin all summer from the sun, you’d think winter would be a time it could catch a break - but unfortunately not! Why is winter so hard on your skin?

Weather As the temperature drops, so too does the humidity, which might make your hair happy but it’s bad news for your skin. Cold, dry air causes the water in your skin to evaporate faster than normal, and your skin also loses up to 25% of its normal ability to retain moisture at this time of year. Winter wind exacerbates the problem, and as your skin dries, your sebaceous glands try to come to the rescue by producing extra oil, which can make acne worse.  

Heating During the winter we go to extra effort to ensure the air in our houses and workplaces is warm and extra dry. We actively try to keep dampness out of our homes with dehumidifiers and extractor fans, while energy-efficient heat pumps also remove moisture while circulating the warm, dry air. In offices, the air conditioning dries the air out. And as we know, dry air means dry skin.

Germs Winter is cold and flu season, and one of the best ways to stay healthy is regular hand washing. If you’ve got sick kids – or you’re sick yourself – it doesn’t take more than a day or two of extra-rigorous hygiene to dry your hands right out, sometimes resulting in cracked, bleeding knuckles – ouch!

(top tip- try using one of our diffusers and essential oil blends to help minimise airborne viruses)

The above info might be making you feel as glum as a cold and rainy winters day, but don’t worry; there are plenty of ways to keep your skin, soft, smooth and itch-free over winter!

Moisturise Your first line of defence against dry skin is replacing lost moisture. Note that your summer routine might not be up to the extra demands winter places on your skin. Some of our favourite Verité products for winter are our rich luxurious body butters and  bath and body oils to nourish and protect.  Timing is important, too! Apply your body butter or body oil when you’re fresh out of the shower to lock in the moisture.

For the face, a hydrating mist and serum is a must under your moisturiser ; top tip for winter facial skin is sealing in your moisturiser with another oil based serum,  like our Papaya and Blue tansy pressed serum , this creates a protective layer and helps to prevent moisture loss.

Our luxury lip conditioner is a must any time you’re heading out into the wind  and cold to prevent chapping.

Avoid extra-hot showers There is nothing better on a chilly winter morning or evening than leaping into a lovely hot shower. If you’re cold, the tendency to crank up the temperature can be irresistible, along with the desire to dream away under the spray. But hot water strips the natural oils from your skin, and when you hop out, the water evaporates taking your skin’s natural moisture with it. So, hard as it is, try to keep the temperature to a comfortable level of warm. Try dropping 2-3 drops of essential oil on the shower floor to experience a mini steam spa and inhale those gorgeous therapeutic properties of the oils. While you’re enjoying the “spa experience” get your circulation moving with a handful of luscious body polish.

Use gentle products A lot of soaps and shampoos contain chemicals that can strip your skin of its barrier or cause irritation. They’re also alkaline when your skin needs to be slightly acidic. Choose gentle products that are PH-balanced or soap-free that will remove dirt but leave your skin’s natural oils behind. The same goes for washing your clothes. They cover a lot more of your skin in the winter, andif your washing powder is highly scented or contains irritants, you might end up itchy and uncomfortable, so go for a laundry detergent that is designed for sensitive skin.  Avoid wearing scratchy fabrics like wool right next to your skin if it’s easily irritated.

Hydrate from the inside, too You probably don’t feel like drinking big glasses of cold water in the winter. In fact, being cold reduces your body’s sensation of thirst, so you’re likely to drink less overall. To get your eight glasses a day, try herbal teas or warm water with lemon, turmeric coconut milk lattes are a Verité fave to hydrate, increase immunity, decrease inflammation and still feels like a treat!

Diet plays a vital  part in keeping your skin happy, too. Make sure you eat plenty of foods containing omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidant vitamins A, B complex, C, and E, and avoid processed sugar and carbohydrates that can promote inflammation. 

If you would love some personal recomendations for your skin routine then drop Janin an email here , so we can help you love the skin you’re in !

by: Claire Wilkins

 

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