Winter is truly upon us and you may be experiencing skin dryness, dehydration and a skin barrier breakdown due to changes in cold temperature, central heating and low humidity.
To combat dryness and dehydration this winter, here are our top tips for a healthy skin this season.
Keep it clean...
You don’t need to necessarily change your cleanser during colder months, however if you are experiencing extreme dryness you may like to take your cleanser up a notch and opt for a more milky or creamy textured cleanser to add nourishment and comfort back to the skin such as Payot's Creme Micellaire Demaquillant, Thalgo's Gentle Cleansing Milk or Dermalogica's Intensive Moisture Cleanser. Alternatively, if you don’t currently use a pre-cleanser, then this may be the key to your skin health. A nourishing oil based pre-cleanser is perfect for all skins to use. It not only removes surface debris and dirt but leaves the skin clean and ready for your next cleanse without stripping your skin and leaving it dry. Our favourite pre-cleansers include Dermalogica's PreCleanse and Payot's Huille Fondant Demaquillant. They both contain Borage Seed Oil which is a good fatty acid that has been used widely to treat inflammation, eczema and dehydration. Cosmedix Purity Solution contains Argan, Moringa and Olive oils to nourish and protect the skins barrier.
Prodermal tip…They are perfect to use around the eyes and lip area too.
It is still important to exfoliate your skin during winter. However, take note of your skin condition; is it peeling, red, itchy or inflamed? If so, then reassess your level of exfoliation and take it more gently. Try using a microfoliant that will buff and polish the surface of your skin without irritation. Choose from Dermalogica's Daily Microfoliant or Daily Superfoliant or Alpha-H Gentle Daily Exfoliant as they all contain ingredients to lightly exfoliate to keep your skin clear without irritation.
Prodermal tip…Use Daily Microfoliant or Gentle Daily Exfoliant on the lips to keep them smooth.
Boost your barrier…
Keeping the barrier function intact is so important for any skin but no more so than in winter. Your barrier is made of lipids, dead cells and natural moisturising factors. It functions to keep your skin hydrated, healthy and strong. However, it is easily disturbed by internal and external factors.
Serums and booster products are perfect to introduce through winter to help keep your barrier intact. Choose products with ingredients that include Panthenol and Oats that will help with any winter inflammation or Evening Primrose Oil and Shea Butter to nourish and moisturise a dry skin. Hyaluronic Acid is a favourite to use in formulations as it helps to hold moisture within the skin and is like giving your skin a big glass of water! Our favourites include Dermalogica Skin Hydrating Booster, Aspect Hydrating Serum and Cosmedix Surge.
Prodermal tip…Serums and boosters are traditionally applied first and closest to the skin where they provide maximum benefits. Toners and moisturisers can be applied over the top to help keep precious moisture locked in.
Facial oils are also beneficial to use as they will help to nourish your skin. Rosehip, Argan, Safflower, Avocado and Chia Seed Oils are all great sources of good oils that will provide antioxidants and replenishment to your barrier layer. Try Dermalogica's AGE Smart Overnight Repair Serum for night and Phyto Replenish Oil for daytime dewy skin. Inika's Phtyo-Active Rosehip Oil is a certified organic oil that leaves skin beautifully soft and nourished.
Masques are always a great way to boost your skin. In winter, boost your barrier by applying your masque a few times a week. Dermalogica's Skin Hydrating Masque will provide the ultimate hydration and Dermalogica's Multivitamin Power Recovery Masque provides antioxidant and healing qualities to promote healthy tissue regeneration. ASAP's Gentle Soothing Gel doubles as both a mask and moisturiser. Containing soothing Aloe Vera to calm ad hydrate thirsty skin. Aspect's Probiotic Mask helps to keep skin balanced and calm.
Prodermal tip…For added masque benefits, apply a thin layer and leave on overnight.
Putting on the spritz…
Spritzing your skin with a toner will help to combat skin dryness and dehydration. Some favourite include Dermalogica's Antioxidant Hydramist, Thalgo's Reviving Marine Mist and Intraceuticals Rejuvenate Revival Mist Rose.
Prodermal tip… Toners and spritz's are perfect to use throughout day, even over make up to keep your skin hydrated and protected from a heated environment.
Keep it calm…
Irritated, sensitised and sensitivity can be a constant concern for winter skins. If you suffer from a genetically sensitive skin or are sensitised due to the cold environment, help is on its way. Dermalogica's Ultracalming range or Payots Creme No 2 range are both designed to control inflammation and reduce the signs of sensitivity, irritation and redness.
Prodermal tip… Dermalogica Ultracalming Cleanser and Payot Creme No 2 Eau Lactee Micellaire can both be used with or without water to cleanse your skin.
Go to redness and sensitive skin
Body Blitz it…
Don’t forget the rest of your body this winter. Eat plenty of foods that contain essential fatty acids like fish, nuts, avocados and keep up your water intake. Try hot water with lemon and honey or warm ginger tea to replace caffeine if you prefer warmer drinks when it’s cold outside. Avoid long hot baths, showers and soaps as they dry your skin.
For body smoothness use a nourishing body cream or oil such as Dermalogica's Phyto Body Oil, Thalgo 24H Hydrating Body Milk or ASAP Body Moist.
With all the hand washing we are doing as well as the colder weather our hands can feel dry and dehydrated. Some nourishing hand cream options include Inika Phytofuse Renew Avocado Hand Cream, Thalgo Deeply Nourishing Hand Cream and Aspect Hand and Body Cream.
Prodermal tip…The best time to apply a body cream whilst your skin is damp.
Go to all hand and body products
Not sure about what extras you need this season? We want you to have the best skin ever, so contact the Prodermal team with any skin or product question…big or small.
Stay warm!
