10 Tips for Winter Skin Care
Winter Skin Care is crucial as the constant changes in temperature – moving from the heat inside to the cold wind and rain outside plays havoc with our skin. Recycled air has more toxins in it and central heating removes water from the atmosphere, which in turn sucks moisture from the skin, stressing the normal functioning of the protective skin barrier. The key symptoms are tightness, sensitivity, itchiness, redness and dehydration.
To keep skin happy and hydrated—and flaky freak outs far away—follow these 10 tips and use Coupon Code ENVIRONWINTERSKINCARE10 at the checkout to receive 10% discount on all Environ products
1. The most important tip
Keep your skin hydrated – inside and out. The best way to hydrate is from within, so drink lots of water, swap a coffee for a green tea (rich in anti-oxidants) and try an internal moisturiser for the skin – Skin Omegas +, rich in vitamin A, fish oils and Evening Primrose Oil (not suitable for people on anti-coagulants)
2. Use a pre-cleansing oil and/or a cream cleanser
Cleansing creams and pre-cleansing oils can thoroughly wash the skin, keeping it hydrated without disrupting its protective barrier. Massage well into the skin in upward circles, especially around the nose and eyebrows. This stimulates blood circulation and encourages lymphatic drainage.
We recommend: Environ Dual Action Pre-Cleansing Oil, + with Environ Mild Cleansing Lotion or Hydra Intense Cleansing Lotion
3. Go easy on the exfoliator
If flakey skin strikes, resist temptation to exfoliate it away like mad. While exfoliating can help brighten the skin by removing dead cells, overdoing it can disrupt the outer skin layer, leading to more dryness and irritation. We recommend very gentle exfoliation once a week maximum.
4. Add a topical hydration boost to your skin
Just as you need to layer your clothing to keep your body warm in winter, your skin needs the same winter skin care to prevent over drying. A good rule of thumb is to layer lightest to heaviest – toner, serum then moisturiser. We recommend: HA Intensive Hydrating Serum, or Vita-Antioxidant Hydrating Oil Capsules
5. Don’t panic if you think you’ve reacted to your moisturiser
During winter, the Ph level of the skin can change and even if you’ve been using Environ moisturisers for months and years, you may then find your skin becomes a little red and itchy. It is more likely to happen on your neck and if you’re feeling under the weather. Don’t panic and don’t sop using your moisturiser. Just add Vita-Complex Super Moisturiser before adding your normal moisturiser.
6. Don’t forget the SPF
Yes, you do need it in winter, especially if pigmentation is an issue or you use a computer a lot. We recommend Anti-Oxidant RAD Sunscreen
7. Vitamin D supplements are a must
We agree with Government advice and can’t emphasise enough the importance of taking a
vitamin D supplement in winter when the days are shorter and darker. Most of us in the UK are vitamin D deficient all year-round. Vitamin D is key for the skin’s defences and our immune system. Inflammatory conditions, like acne, rosacea, and eczema often flare up when we are deficient in it. We recommend Skin Vit A+ which combines vitamin A, essential to cell regeneration, and vitamin D, essential to the immune system. (Not suitable during pregnancy or if planning a pregnancy).
8. Cut down on shower time and temperature
Hot water can strip the skin of its natural moisture, leaving you even drier than you were before. You may notice after washing your hair in the shower how tight and red your skin is, especially on your forehead and eyebrows. Apply a hydration boost immediately after your shower.
9. Protect lips
Licking sore lips exacerbates dryness and can cause ‘lick eczema’. Make sure your lips are sealed with an effective ointment at all times, particularly before eating and drinking as some foods like tomatoes which can irritate chapped lips. We recommend ESPA Pomelo Lip Balm
10. Prevent dry, chapped hands
Hands are very high risk, especially at the moment with frequent hand washing and use of alcohol heavy hand sanitisers. We recommend Spongelle Hand creams