Winter Skin Protection
“Less is always more, make smart changes to your current routines to allow your skin to thrive this winter.”
Winter Skin Protection
Cold weather, darker days and early nights does not mean its time to shelf the SPF – Sun Protection Factor is misleading it should be known as daylight protection. I always stress to my clients the importance of SPF and its many anti-ageing benefits. Protection from UV rays through use of sunscreen will protect your skin cells from free radical damage caused from UV rays this damage destroys the DNA of a cell causing early onset wrinkles, dehydration, and pigmentation issues. A smart change to your routine would be to switch to a lightweight sun protection cream with more hydration benefits the Art Derma Urban Defence 20 is a great example of a beneficial winter daily moisturiser with SPF 20 an all-in-one action to prevent UV damage and increase hydration. Urban Defence 20 is formulated with peptides to tighten and firm the skin diminishing fine lines and wrinkles. The hyaluronic acid provides deep hydration, and the added vitamin E is a powerful antioxidant to protect the skin cells and aid hydration. The added aloe vera goes along way to soothe any irritations. UVB rays will still provide the skin with Vitamin D for those that spend much less time outdoors in the cooler months adding vitamin D supplements will help support your wellbeing. Spending time outdoors in the winter will improve absorption of Vitamin D actively increasing your happy hormones such as serotonin helping to stabilise your moods.
Once your home at the end of your day there is nothing better than snuggling up in blankets in front of the fire, but this can play havoc to your skin’s hydration levels. To prevent dryness, irritation and flaking I would always recommend drinking more water or hot lemon drinks to aid hydration levels. The surface of the skin needs protection, and the dark nights can be the best time to invest in your skin. Once you are home for the day cleanse twice with warm water to remove makeup and the days impurities, once or twice a week use an exfoliator to reduce flaking skin and to reduce the risk of breakouts. Art Derma’s AHA Radiance exfoliator gently removes dead skin cells without irritation. It contains pumpango enzymes which provide plant-based exfoliation. The formulation has calming and hydrating properties for even the most sensitive skin’s the small amount of glycolic acid aids cellular renewal reducing breakouts and improves cell renewal for anti-ageing whilst increasing hydration.
My top tips for lips, the lips do produce much less oil therefore becoming drier more easily. After cleansing on a nighttime use the corner of the towel to buff the lips without using to much pressure this will lightly exfoliate and lift any dry skin. Apply your usual serum and moisturiser over the lip area to deeply hydrate. In the daytime the healing and hydrating Art Derma Lip Complex is a great option to use over lipstick or alone. The Lip Complex is formulated to protect the lips from losing water.
The delicate eye area can take a big hit with windy weather leaving the under-eye area with dark circles and dry fine lines. To improve hydration and reduce dark circles in a morning use the back of a cold spoon under the eye to help blood flow and reduce puffiness and dark circles follow up with a hydrating eye cream. The Art Derma FortiFi eye gel is formulated with peptides, stem cells and antioxidants to reinforce the barrier of the skin around the eyes without using a heavy cream.
Winter is a great time of year for investing in skin treatments such as peels and micro needling these treatments are not suitable for summer months with the risk of sun exposure. Both treatments will improve pigmentation issues anti-ageing concerns and hydration. Always plan around the festive season as these treatments may have a little downtime.
Simple winter adaptions to keep your glow this winter.
Cleansing – take time to double cleanse in the evening and protect the skin from dryness by just using water in the morning before applying your serum and SPF Day cream.
Eyes – if you don’t have ice globes or a Gua Sha stone holding the back of a tablespoon over the eyes will improve circulation and reduce puffiness and dark circles.
Serum switch – switch to a serum with hydrating ingredients such as vitamin E or hyaluronic acid to reduce irritations and dryness.
Moisturiser – If your cream is feeling like it has lost its oomph apply two layers but allow the first to sink in before applying the second layer. If your cream runs out in time for the winter months adapt for a more nourishing formulation this will usually last 4-6 months and run out again just in time for summer.
Humidify – The air in your homes will become much dryer in the winter placing a small bowl of water in the living room and bedroom can reduce dry eyes and dehydrated skin.
Hands – wear gloves to protect from the wind and cold air and always apply a rich deeply moisturising hand cream before putting on your gloves to help lock in the moisture and help prevent dry cuticles and cracked skin.
If your skin has already become drier than usual try to be patient and make these simple changes, these adaptions will take a month to show signs of improvement and patience and prevention is key for winter glowing skin.