29th January 2018

Winter Skincare Woes

Have you noticed your skin looking and feeling dry and dull lately? I wouldn’t be surprised considering the cold snap we’re currently battling in the UK. Not enough of us realise that you need to switch up your skincare routine in-keeping with the changing weather throughout the seasons.

Skin is a delicate thing; it is the largest organ in the human body and acts as our first line of defense against everything from bacteria to the harsh elements, and so you need to take excellent care of it.

You still need an SPF

First and foremost, you need to understand that sun protection does not only apply to the Summer months! While it might not be as hot as you’d like throughout Winter, the Sun never sleeps. It is important to implement proper sun protection all year-round to avoid the numerous harmful effects that UV rays can have on your skin.

Sun damage is one of the leading causes of premature ageing, not to mention the risk of sunburn, skin cancer and more. I recommend applying a daily SPF protection of at least 15 to skin that is likely to be exposed to sunlight for a prolonged period of time – even in Winter – and keep topping up regularly.

Exfoliate and Moisturise

Take advantage of Winter as the time of year to fully brighten and exfoliate your skin! Dehydration and sensitivity are two of the biggest concerns we face this season, with falling temperatures, low humidity and indoor heating. Work an exfoliator into your nighttime skincare routine to help dryer skin shed dead cells, making for a brighter complexion.

As for your cleanser, creamier solutions are recommended in order to maintain your protective barrier as your skin becomes drier. The same rule applies to your moisturiser. Creamier, oily products offer better results for those of us not lucky enough to have naturally oily skin as they lock in moisture and prevent water loss for ultimate hydration around the clock. Of course, this advice changes if you have skin that is prone to acne, and in this case, you will benefit from reading this article.

The key is to find the products that work best for you and your skin type, although this is a lot easier said than done. It’s worth scheduling a skin consultation with myself at my practice in Harley Street, London, so that I can fully assess your skin, determine your winter skincare needs and offer more tailored advice to keep your skin looking fresh and healthy this Winter season.