We hear the same stories year after year about how the winter months wreak havoc on our skin with central heating and harsh winds but what do we do to actually prevent the damage? Don’t wait until winter has left its mark on you, defend your beauty right now!
I should say at this point; cold can actually be very beneficial to the skin and you may notice more and more beauty treatments cropping up, focussing on cold therapy but bear in mind these treatments are in a controlled environment, usually over a short period of time. The negative aspects of cold weather on our skin are predominately due to central heating, bracing winds and long-term exposure to the cold.
The first point of call should always be to reconsider your cleanser. The refreshing, oil-absorbing cleanser you might be using during the summer months is probably not going to be the most beneficial for you over the winter period. In winter you require a more nourishing cleanser such as Elemental Herbology Facial Cleansing Oil for normal/oily skin (oil attracts oil so this is perfect for removing excess oil in the skin without stripping essential moisture from it). If you find your face gets drier throughout the day, another great option is the Akar Desert Rescue Face Oil. We still tend to be quite cautious of using oils on our face but they can be amazing for our skin- especially during the winter as they literally seal in moisture. The Akar oil contains jojoba oil which is very similar to the sebum in our skin, which enables rapid absorption into the skin, this also contains antioxidants plus vitamins A, E and (especially important at this time of year) D. It’s a surprisingly great base for makeup too, giving you a dewy, not oily, finish. Night-time gives you the best opportunity to restore your skin health- you can really slather up! Throughout the year I really like the Cult 51 Night Cream (so called because it has no less than 51 anti-ageing benefits!) it tends to suit all skin types but personally I wouldn’t use it before the age of 25- after 25 our cell turnover and collagen production starts to slow down so it can be used a s a preventative measure! Cult 51 has been clinically proven to work in synergy with your skin’s own molecules to encourage growth and generation of new skin cells- it is well worth the investment! If my skin is feeling noticeably drier, I even apply my Akar oil on top of the Cult 51 to really lock the moisture in, it works a treat! A new favourite of mine is the recently launched Dr Perricone Multi-Action Overnight Treatment, this can be used every night or 1-2 times a week instead of your regular night cream. This is a delicious, velvety feeling cream that really treats and restores the skin. It contains one of nature’s strongest antioxidants: Alpha Lipoic Acid which refines the skins texture and softens fine lines and pores, visibly improving the complexion with each application- it is very addictive! Last, don’t forget to nourish yourself from the inside out! I am a big advocate of ‘eating yourself beautiful’ which I find quite easy during the summer months when bright, colourful salads are on the menu but when the cold snap hits, a salad is the last thing on my mind! I’m getting better at planning/preparing my meals in advance to have a skin-healthy option available but I won’t be a slave to the kitchen either so I’ve always got a supply of Skinade nearby. Skinade is a skincare drink containing vitamin C, Omegas 3 & 6, B vitamins and L-lysine amino acid, all essential for healthy, glowing skin (and a great immune booster for the winter months too!). You just drink 1x 150ml bottle each day after breakfast and that’s your skins nutritional needs covered! They also do travel sachets which you dilute in water. I know in an ideal world we would be eating our daily requirements from good quality food, but it’s just not always practical and this is a fantastic alternative to keep you looking tip-top during the chill! Elemental Herbology Purify & Soothe Cleansing Balm (with muslin cloth) for dry or mature skin. Both cleansers contain gorgeous, soothing ingredients including Omega 3 and 6 to protect the skin’s delicate barrier function whilst removing all traces of makeup or grime. This, for me, is the most important part of any skincare routine- after all if your pores are blocked with makeup residue or dirt, how can our lovely serums and moisturisers penetrate efficiently?!
Elemental Herbology Facial Cleansing Oil
Akar Desert Rescue Face Oil
Cult 51 Night Cream
Dr Perricone Multi-Action Overnight Treatment
Skinade, 30 day supply
Elemental Herbology Purify & Soothe Cleansing Balm
