Winter Skincare Dos and Don'ts
Flaky Skin and Chapped Hands Needn't be a Winter Necessity
Oct 16, 2009
Your first defence against the chilly winter winds is to wrap up in layers and cover as much of your skin as you can. Wearing gloves and a scarf will cover the delicate area of your neck, and will stop hands from chapping and developing chilblains.
Any moisturising you do will be all but futile if you don’t wrap up before you step out. Most of the damage to your hands and face is done by constant fluctuations in temperatures and moisture – stepping out of the dry air of an air-conditioned building and into a cold rainy street will dry out your skin rapidly. Gloves will protect your hands from drying out excessively and becoming chapped, which can hurt and can take a long time to heal.
Moisturising
Moisturisation is your second major defence against dry, flaky skin. Don't simply buy the cheapest vitamin E cream you can as soon as the leaves change colour – the moisturiser you choose will depend entirely on your needs, and your skin type. Below are tips to help the most common skin types.
Oily or combination skin – These skin types often have problems with flaky skin during the winter, but find that regular moisturisers feel too greasy. Shea or cocoa butter is fantastic as an intense overnight treatment to relive any dry skin, and then a light exfoliant in the morning will rid the pores of any excess oil or debris.
A great tip for daytime moisturiation for oily skin is to use aloe gel. It is highly effective at relieving any tightness or stinging from dry skin, but will not leave a residue. You can find aloe gel at most health food or natural supplies shops.
Normal Skin – Although this skin type rarely has any serious problems, it is important to remember that over the winter it needs extra care. Switch to a gentle face wash that won’t strip the skin of its natural oils, and then moisturise using a cream that incorporates a UV filter.
It’s easy to forget that the sun is still harsh on the skin during the winter, especially if there is snow or ice on the ground creating a glare. Protect against the UV rays, and you will also be protecting against premature ageing and wrinkles.
Dry or Damaged Skin – Dry skin can be very difficult to care for, and skin conditions such as Eczema and Psoriasis can flare up in cold or abnormally-heated environments. Invest in some heavy-duty moisturising cream to apply every day, especially in any problem areas, and make it a priority to wrap up as much as you can before venturing outside.
Gentle exfoliation is the key to ridding yourself of any troublesome flaky patches, and if you have sensitive skin, or would just rather know what you were using, it is relatively simple to make your own scrubs from ingredients you have at home. Here are just a few recipes to whip up in your kitchen.
Essential Everyday Items
Keep these handy helpers on you at all times, and you'll never be caught with dry hands or chapped lips again.
- A decent lip balm with added SPF protection
- Hand and Nail cream (To prevent chapping and split nails)
- A hat (the cold can be awful to your hair too – and don’t forget your ears!)
- Eye-area moisturiser
A Final Warning
- Don't ignore problem or dry skin in the hope that it will fix itself. You may find yourself battling with more skin problems than you can deal with further down the line.
- Don't assume that the most expensive cream makes it better quality, or better for your skin type. Shop around, and if you can, venture to a department store and ask for samples from different cosmetic brands. You may find that the one that works for you may be marketed as a "budget" cream.
- Don't forget that what you eat will ultimately affect your healthy glow. Too many late nights and parties can make your skin dull and blemished, and eating too much fast food will create oily, problem skin. It's best to take everything in moderation, and if needs be, take a vitamin supplement to boost your body's defenses. A healthy body means healthier more radiant winter skin.
All these tips are for advice only. If you are allergic or are often susceptible to adverse reactions from beauty treatments, please consult a skincare professional before trying them out.
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