Your winter skin survival guide

Your winter skin survival guide

 In Uncategorised

As the seasons change and the cold weather bites, the skin on our face and body can often suffer the consequences.

Cooler temperatures, low humidity and the chilly winds of autumn and winter are undeniably harsh on the skin. There’s no respite indoors, either, as extra hot showers and central heating gang up with the elements to strip the skin of essential moisture.

A magnifying glass is placed over the cheek of a handsome young man, shown in profile. The magnified image shows a dry and cracked surface, implying a lack of moisture in the skin.The net result of this seasonal assault is skin that looks and feels dry, tight and uncomfortable.

Redness, itchiness, flaking and increased sensitivity are also common symptoms of unhappy winter skin. A compromised skin barrier sapped of moisture and lipids weakens the body’s natural protective layer and leaves it vulnerable to irritation.

If this all sounds painfully familiar, I’ve got your back. A few simple tweaks to your grooming regime can help quench that thirsty skin, so read on for my seasonal skincare saviours.

A smiling middle-aged man with greying hair and beard is in his bathroom. Dressed in a white t-shirt with a towel around his neck, he is shown applying moisturiser to his cheeks.Switch up your face wash

If your skin has suddenly started feeling tight or dry after washing your face, it’s time to swap your existing cleanser for a more season-suitable milk, cream or balm.

If you really can’t be parted from a foaming wash, please just make sure you are using something gentle that doesn’t leave your face gasping. That means NO shower gel from the neck up and NO all-in-one hair/body/face washes, which quite frankly are the work of the devil and I will personally squirt Lynx Africa body wash in your eyes if I find out you are using them.

A young, shirtless Chinese man is leaning over a bathroom sink and washing his face with a foaming cleanser.You’ll be pleased to hear I have a few options available at the salon that are perfect for this time of year:

MSC Magnet Hyal Cleanser (200ml, £22.60) is a gentle foaming gel with moisture-binding hyaluronic acid, lactic acid and saccharides.

Soothing Face Wash Emulsion (175ml, £11.99) and Oil Cleansing Balm (150g, £19.58) are a skin-conditioning milk and balm respectively, both from Supremelab. Ideal for ultra-dry complexions and those who double cleanse.

Product shot of the Creamy Cleansing Gel from SKINARTÉ, showing an elegant white bottle with a silver cap resting on a white and grey marble background.Last but not least, the brand new Bioactive Creamy Cleansing Gel from SKINARTÉ (200ml, £29.80) is an absolute dream. With mild surfactants, soothing beta-glucan and panthenol, this softening face wash cares for even the most delicate of skins.

So we are in agreement, yes? No more shower gel on your mush.

Add a treatment serum

Serums go under your moisturiser and add an extra shot of hydration without feeling sticky or heavy.

Young black man in a white t-shirt applying beauty serum from a dropper to his face. The serum is running down his left cheek as he looks confidently at the camera.One fantastic option available from Axiom Bodyworks is MSC Essential Vitamins Serum (30ml, £26.40). This silky gel formula tackles your winter woes from several angles, with soothing and regenerating PDRN, skin-supporting vitamins B5 and C, plus multi-weight hyaluronic acid for layered hydration.

Also hitting all the right notes is Supremelab’s Regenerating Anti-Wrinkle Serum (30ml, £10.99), which contains anti-ageing peptides, phyto-collagen, ceramides and plant sterols that support the healthy functioning of the skin barrier.

Product shot of Cellular Hydrorevitalizing Concentrate from SKINARTÉ. A luxurious-looking silver and glass bottle stands on top of a white pedestal, dramatically lit against a black background.Just in but proving its worth already: SKINARTÉ’s Cellular Hydrorevitalising Concentrate (30ml, £59.80) is a super-strength concoction of polynucleotides, advanced biomimetic peptides and hydrating macromolecules, for long-lasting moisturisation alongside impressive anti-ageing benefits.

Tip: apply serums while your face is still damp. The moisture on your skin helps the hydrating actives work more efficiently.

Hydrate on the go

If you find your skin gets dry throughout the day, hydrating sprays are a handy option to top up your moisture levels as required. Even better, they can be applied straight over makeup and sunscreen.

Product shot of the Soothing Hydro Serum and Hydrating & Toning Mist from SUPREMELAB. Both products are shown against a light blue background with water droplets running down their packaging, giving a feeling of moisture and hydration.I love the Hydrating & Toning Mist from Supremelab (150ml, £18.98) and Blueberry & White Tea Hydrating Mist from Circadia (118ml, £30.00). Both feel light as a feather on the face but pack a moisture-filled punch, with powerful antioxidants and skin-softening actives.

Side note: spritzes are also a great choice for easy inflight hydration if you are lucky enough to be jetting off anywhere nice this Christmas.

Exfoliate wisely

You can still use your AHAs and enzymes to keep those dull, flaky cells turning over nicely, but ‘lower concentration, less often’ is a good rule of thumb if your skin is feeling stressed.

Handsome young man with curly auburn hair in a brown t-shirt, shown from the side applying a white face mask to his cheeks and jaw. His head is tilted towards the top right of the picture and he is smiling slightly as he runs his hands over his neck.Regenzyme from AnteAGE (60ml, £40.00) and Fig Enzyme Peel from Supremelab (70g, £14.99) are weekly mask-based products that use fruit enzymes to gently slough off dead cells, without being harsh on winter-withered skin.

While we’re here: now is the time to ditch granular facial scrubs altogether. Gritty, abrasive exfoliants can scratch and irritate the epidermis, leading to even more dryness down the road.

Dial down the retinoids

Reduce strength and frequency, or switch to a product with a more nurturing formula such as the RETI 5GFS Active Stimulating & Soothing Cream from Bielenda (50ml, £25.18).

Product shot of two retinoid serums from BIELENDA PROFESSIONAL, one in an opaque white plastic bottle, the other in a see-through glass bottle with silver pump. The bottles are shown next to each other on a glass shelf against a white background.This advanced nighttime cream combines a unique form of retinaldehyde with ceramides, niacinamide and organic silica to provide the deep renewal that retinoids are famous for, alongside optimal hydration.

Pump up the moisturiser

Just like summer jackets versus winter coats, lighter lotions may not be enough to protect your face against the elements in colder weather.

Look for richer, more emollient formulas with nourishing and moisture-retaining ingredients like ceramides, hyaluronic acid, beta-glucan, panthenol, plant oils, squalene and polysaccharides (to name just a few).

Close-up shot of a young, bearded man pumping moisturiser from a white bottle onto his finger. His hands and the bottle are in focus at the front of the picture, his face and chest are blurred against a light background.The right product will help rebuild and maintain a healthy skin barrier, enabling the skin to hold onto moisture more efficiently as the cold winds blow.

Salon favourites that tick all the above boxes include MSC Infinite Nourishing Cream (50ml, £24.90), plus Supremelab’s Energising Anti-Wrinkle Cream (50ml, £16.60), Lipid Protective & Nourishing Cream (50ml, £20.99) and Intensive Nourishing Night Cream with Ceramides (50ml, £22.58).

Product shot of Infinite Nourishing Cream from MY SKIN CHEMISTRY. A white jar with silver lid and blue writing sits next to a blue box, against a white background. The jar and box are reflected in the surface they sit on.Give your lips some love

Lips are especially sensitive to winter weather because they naturally produce less oil than the rest of your face.

Soothe and soften chapped lips with Circadia’s Lip Renewing Hydrator (12ml, £15.80), which contains collagen-boosting peptides, hyaluronic microspheres and skin-loving cranberry seed oil to protect and nourish your kisser.

Product shot of Peppermint Mocha Lip Hydrator frm CIRCADIA. A small white tube of lip balm with a silver lid rests on a grey slate, surrounded by pieces of chocolate, green mint leaves, coffee beans, and red and white striped candy canes.Available in three varieties: watermelon, peppermint mocha and naked (unflavoured). The only thing missing is the mistletoe.

Don’t neglect the rest of your body

The skin below your neck deserves just as much care and attention as your face. Slap on the body lotion while your limbs are still damp after bathing, to help lock-in moisture.

Close-up of muscular, Causcasian man applying moisturising lotion to his left arm.Supremelab’s Regenerating Body Balm (190ml, £16.99) is a popular year-round choice. Its blend of ceramides, cholesterol and jojoba oil quickly restores suppleness and comfort to the skin, but won’t leave you sticking to your clothes.

New in this month is the Warm Caramel Body Butter from Farmona (200ml, £4.82) – a rich, creamy salve with the delectable scent of cinnamon and caramel. You’ll be silky smooth AND smelling good enough to eat!

Product shot of Tuttit Frutti Warm Caramel Body Butter by FARMONA.SPF is still a must

Don’t quit your sunscreen just because the British weather is grey and miserable – damaging UVA rays are present even when it’s not sunny outside.

Here, again, you can add an extra layer of hydration by picking a more moisturising sunscreen such as Supremelab’s Moisturising Protective Cream (50ml, £27.98) or Heliocare’s Fluid Cream (50ml, £27.00). Both of these are SPF 50 for top tier protection, whatever the weather.

Product shot of Fluid Cream SPF from HELIOCARE. A white tube with yellow writing and a black cap is depicted against a grey background, circled by two green fronds of fern.S.O.S.! Emergency!

If your skin goes into a tailspin and is already mega-dry, flaky and angry… help is at hand.

My personal Skin Rescue Kit consists of three products, always on standby to pull unhappy skin back from the edge:

  • Clinisoothe+ Skin Purifier (100ml, £14.00 or 250ml, £19.00).
  • Bielenda Lipoactive Repair Serum (30ml, £22.28).
  • Bielenda Lipoactive Cream Compress (50ml, £32.60).

Product shot of Barrier Skin Therapy creams from BIELENDA PROFESSIONAL. Picture shows a series of opaque white bottles with pink and black text, lying next to each other against a white background. They are aligned in a pattern resembling bricks in a wall.A trio of skincare superheroes with proven ingredients that repair, regenerate and restore comfort to compromised and ultra-sensitive skins. You can thank me later.

Seek professional help

If you want to give things a boost over the colder months, or just fancy a bit of ‘me time,’ then the new Lipid Care Facial at Axiom Bodyworks has all your winter skin needs covered.

A handsome, middle-aged Causcasian man is receiving a face massage. He is depicted from the chest up, lying on a dark, fluffy towel. We can only see the therapist's hands - one hand is placed on the man's right temple, the other hand on the left side of his jaw. We can see from traces of product on the skin that cream has been applied to his neck, chin and cheeks. The image is dramtically lit against a black background.Treat your skin to some well-deserved TLC with this comforting, multi-level facial designed to repair and regenerate the hydrolipid barrier.

Based on a fortifying combination of essential ceramides, vitamins, aminos and hyaluronic acid, parched skin is left deeply nourished, smoothed and more resilient against the onslaught of winter.

  • Milk-enzyme peel to gently exfoliate dry, flaky skin.
  • Nurturing face and scalp massage with warm aromatherapy oils, to restore suppleness and moisture.
  • Replenishing hand scrub and mask to combat winter chaffing.

A middle-aged man is shown receiving a scalp massage in a spa. He is shown from the chest up, wrapped in a beige towel, lying on a treatment bed in a warmly lit room. We see the therapist's forearms and hands only, thumbs resting on the customer's forehead and fingers on his temples.Recommended for: dry, dehydrated skin; feelings of facial tightness and itching; rough and flaky winter complexions; skin requiring comfort and nourishment.

60 minutes of heavenly hydration, all yours for £80.

Click this and head to the ‘current offers’ tab to get booked in. You deserve it.

A young, bearded Caucasian man is leaning against a lampost in a snowy street. There is snow on the pavement and on the steps of the buildings behind him. He is shown from the waist up, smartly dressed in a brown coat and grey scarf. He is buttoning the coat against the elements, as snow falls around him.Details and prices are correct at the time of publication but may change without notice.

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