“Help! My skin is red, dry, itchy and acting out!”
Winter has well and truly arrived! And if your skin is feeling a little out of whack, you’re not alone!
Signs your skin may be dry, dehydrated or sensitised from the winter weather:
❄️ Change in texture (rough)
❄️ Itchy
❄️ Scaly
❄️ Flaking
❄️ Redness
❄️ More prominent fine lines and wrinkles
So why does our skin become dry, dehydrated and sensitised during winter?
Low Humidity
Low humidity can draw out moisture from your skin, leaving it dry, dehydrated and sometimes even cracked.
Heating
Sitting by a campfire or turning on a heater may be cosy and comfortable during the cooler months, but unfortunately, it will dry and dehydrate your skin.
Less sun
If you spend less time outdoors during winter, you’ll likely notice a change in your skin. Not only is the sun a great source of vitamin D, but it’s also a natural anti-inflammatory for our skin.
Hot showers
Scolding hot showers are guaranteed to dry and dehydrate your skin during winter.
Sensitive skin
Unfortunately, if your skin is already sensitive, it will likely begin to feel even more sensitised in winter. Thanks to a combination of all of the above 👆
Now for the good news! You absolutely do not have to suffer through these unwelcome changes in your skin!
Here are our top tips for fighting winter skin!
Use a humidifier
Using a humidifier in your home or workplace is a great way to prevent moisture loss in your skin. Aim for 30-50% humidity.
Don’t forget your SPF
Even when it’s cold and cloudy, our skin needs protection from UVA and UVB rays. Apply your SPF consistently, all year-round.
Moisturise your hands every time you wash them
Unless you wear gloves, our hands face the cold wind, artificial heating and hot water with no protection. Give them a little TLC and added protection by using an ultra-nourishing moisturiser every time you wash your hands.
Stay Hydrated
We tend to drink less water and more hot coffee during winter. Give your skin a boost of hydration from the inside out by staying hydrated. We recommend aiming for 2 litres a day.
Lower your shower temperature, frequency and length
Two 15-minute, scolding hot showers a day won’t do your skin any favours. Instead, aim for a warm shower, keep the length to a minimum and consider only showering once a day if it works for your lifestyle.
Apply body moisturiser and skincare immediately after showering
Using a nourishing moisturiser daily, if not twice a day during winter, is essential for keeping your skin nourished, smooth and hydrated. To get the best benefits from your moisturiser, apply it right after your shower while your skin is still damp. Think of your skin like a sponge. If the sponge is dry, water will run straight off it. Meanwhile, if you run water over a damp sponge, it will absorb the water with ease. The same goes for your skin and moisturiser.
Book a facial
In an ideal world, we would all get a facial every four weeks, have perfect skin and live happily ever after. If that’s not a realistic option for you, aim to book a facial at the beginning of every season. Not only are there tons of results-driven and relaxing facials to choose from, but it’s also the perfect time for you to chat to your beauty therapist about your skin and what you should be using/doing to keep your skin happy during the change of seasons. Brazilian Beauty’s 6 Step HydraFacial is my personal favourite. Check it out here.
Adjust your skincare routine during winter
Seeing as your skin is different each season, it’s only natural that your skincare may also need to change. During winter, be sure to add a hydrating serum and heavier night cream into your current skincare routine.
Avoid over-exfoliating, but don’t skip it altogether
If your skin is feeling a little sensitised, the last thing you want to do is cause more sensitivity by over-exfoliating. We recommend gently exfoliating your skin 1-2 times. Your skin will not only be softer, smoother and brighter, but it will also be able to absorb all of your beautiful hydrating serums and nourishing moisturisers much better.
Check out our AHA Power Exfoliant here.
Check out our Body Buff and Polish Mitt here.
Here are some of our favourite skincare saviours for combating Winter skin 👇
Pure Hydration Concentrate
Tackle dehydrated skin head-on with this creamy hydration hero. We packed our Pure Hydration Concentrate with Sodium Hyaluronate and Vitamin C - together, these key ingredients replenish and boost your skin’s hydration. Your skin will be left feeling smooth, plumped and hydrated!
Targets
- Dryness & dehydration
- Fine lines & wrinkles
- Sensitivity & redness
Vitamin C Serum
Say goodbye to dull, lacklustre skin! This little champion uses Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate, an oil-soluble derivative of vitamin C that can be used in high concentrations without compromising potency and effectiveness to brighten and protect your skin.
Targets
- Fine lines & wrinkles
- Free radical damage
- Ageing & mature skin
- Hyperpigmentation
- Uneven skin tone
- Scarring
R3 Relieve Repair Restore
The name speaks for itself; this incredible product will relieve repair and restore your skin. R3 is your ultimate winter skin saviour. Trust me. You won’t be disappointed by this one.
Targets
- Sensitivety & redness
- Skin irritation & inflammation
- Sunburn & heat discomfort
- Fine lines & wrinkles
Rejuvenating Night Treatment
Think of your softest, most comfortable pyjamas. When you put them on, you instantly relax and will likely have a great sleep, waking up refreshed and rejuvenated. Rejuvenating night treatment is your skin’s softest, most comfortable pyjamas. This dream cream works hard while you sleep to rejuvenate and repair your skin.
Targets
- Fine lines & wrinkles
- Ageing & mature skin
- Dryness and dehydration
- Sensitivity & redness
- Excess oil production
- Uneven skin tone
- Pigmentation
- Blemishes & breakouts
- Scarring
So if you’re dealing with dry, dehydrated and everything in between skin this winter, don’t feel like you have to suffer through it. Give your skin the TLC it’s craving with these minor adjustments to your routine and skincare. You’ve got this!