After the festivities and overindulging, the effects of the cold weather on our skin are too significant to be ignored. 

Winter causes us to take new measures for our skin health. So, how much do we know how to protect it?

The effects of winter are brutal to our skin. It becomes dry, dull, flaky, and sometimes more sensitive than usual.

The moisture in our skin decreases and becomes more fragile. Therefore, we must take preventive measures to keep our skin well-hydrated. Here are our top tips:

Avoid taking hot showers & baths

It might sound enticing, but it isn't for your skin. Taking long hot showers or baths can strip the skin of its natural oils and exacerbate dryness. Try turning down the heat to preserve your skin's natural moisture barrier.

Moisturise your skin 

Make sure you're using moisturiser, not only your face but your whole body, too, to rehydrate your skin. Creams containing almond oil, olive oil, coconut oil, jojoba oil, aloe vera and calendula contain SPF and soothe the skin. Beeswax, cocoa and shea butter improve hydration by providing a protective barrier to the skin.

Choose your moisturiser carefully

Some over-the-counter moisturisers have petroleum-based ingredients that can actually further dry your skin in the winter months. Be sure to choose a smart formula that has natural, nourishing ingredients. Go for an oil-based rather than a water-based solution, as it's more likely to help your skin retain moisture. 

Cleansing

Your skin gets more sensitive in winter, so you should avoid treatments such as exfoliation and microdermabrasion. If you do, ensure you're moisturising correctly with ingredients that'll help rehydrate your skin. Cleanse your face every evening to remove makeup and excess oil built up throughout the day. Double-cleansing is a plus to ensure your skin is squeaky clean and ready for your nighttime routine!

Apply Serums & Masks

Serums and face masks are perfect for your winter skincare routine. The best face serum for the winter months contains vitamins, such as our serum Centella asiatica Enriched With Vitamin E, which locks in moisture to leave your skin feeling plump. A fragrance-free, organic botanical serum that combines Centella Asiatica with Apricot Kernel Oil and Vitamin E to create a powerful trio to treat skin concerns for all skin types.

Stay Hydrated

We tend to drink less water in the winter because we turn to hot drinks or even alcohol but remember nothing beats drinking plenty of water. In general, women should take in 2.7 litres and men 3.7 litres of water per day.

Get plenty of sleep

While sleeping, our bodies can repair and rejuvenate themselves after each day. If you don't get enough sleep, your skin can suffer. To avoid fatigue and to help your skin, you should try to get seven to nine hours of sleep a night – who doesn't like to sleep anyway!

There's an array of skin issues that can happen without good prep and care. The good news is with a few tweaks to your existing routine, it's easy to eliminate unwanted skin concerns and keep your skin glowing and healthy throughout winter.