Winter takes its toll on all skin types. The harsh conditions increase our TEWL (or trans-epidermal water loss) and dry up our oil reserves in our skins.
Here are some winter skin tips to keep your skin (body, hands, feet and face) radiant, nourished and soft:
Increase your moisturiser’s oil-content. Your cream for face or body may be perfect for summer and autumn but as we move into the winter months we will need a richer moisturiser. When we feel dry, itchy or flaky it means there is a lack of OIL in the skin.
Increase your moisturiser’s water content AND drink more water. When we feel tight or as though our skin has been stretched, it means a lack of WATER in the skin. Hydration creams and boosters do help, but you definitely need enough water inside your body for them to be effective.
Use a booster. Oil serums and/or hydration boosters travel to deeper layers of the skin than moisturisers do on their own. As the serum or booster travels deep into the epidermis, so it creates pathways for your moisturiser to penetrate deeper and thus, be more beneficial to the skin.
Use a night cream/balm. At night, our skins go in to ‘repair mode’. The skin doesn’t have the usual irritation from UV rays so night creams normally have more active ingredients in them, especially when you are looking for anti-aging results.
Apply a broad spectrum sunscreen 30 minutes before stepping out.
Exfoliate once or twice per week. This will encourage a glow and remove dead skin that builds up.
Written by Leilah Saville. Miss Lily Skin Clinic, leilah@misslily.co.za.