Protecting your skin from winter’s grasp

You might think your skin needs more hydration during summer, but winter can be just as bad, if not worse. Windy weather, combined with low humidity and indoor heating can really zap the moisture out of your skin, leaving it tight and itchy. Read our top six recommendations for saving your skin from the icy cold fingers of winter.

Heavy duty moisturiser

Sometimes switching to a thicker cream during winter can work well to protect your skin from the elements. If you’re happy with your moisturiser, make sure you lay it on a bit thicker to act as a barrier.

Forget the foam

Hot baths and showers are big culprits in drying out skin – but who wants a lukewarm shower on a cold morning?! To help prevent the moisture loss further, ditch your foaming body wash for an oil-based one. The foam is great at removing grime & sunscreen in summer, but in winter it can remove the protective layer of oil from the surface of the skin.

Increase the humidity

Other than packing your bags and heading off on a tropical holiday, there’s not much you can do about the humidity you’re surrounded with. However, it won’t help if you’re sitting three centimetres away from the heater all day. As cosy as it is, the low humidity is exceptionally drying to the skin. Try placing a bowl of water near the heater or investing in a room humidifier.

Eat your way to beautiful skin

The best foods for your skin are those rich in vitamins A and E. Carrots, broccoli, sweet potatoes and spinach are great for vitamin A, while almonds and hazelnuts are best for vitamin E. Omega 3 will also help to support your skin. The best source of omega 3 is from oily fish such as salmon, mackerel, fresh tuna, sardines and herring.

Getting lippy

Winter wreaks havoc on lips – whether it’s from windburn, or from breathing in and out of your mouth due to a cold! It’s time to ditch the summery gloss for an effective lip balm. If your lips are already showing signs of flakiness, give them a quick brush with a homemade exfoliation mixture of salt and olive oil.

Hand it to me

Our hands take a tonne of abuse every day, repeated washing with soap, and washing the dishes without gloves on can really strip the skin of its natural protective oils. Placing a tube of hand cream on your bedside table will prompt you to apply it every night, and come morning time, your hands will have absorbed all of the goodness and be ready to seize the day.