Winter Skin
Well, it really is winter now and November is a great time to prepare your skin for the harsher weather and it is this time of year that many of us start to experience changes in our skin. This is a good indication that your routine needs adjusting to prevent dryness, chapping and irritability. It is very important not to compromise your skin’s natural protective barriers and also to preserve and enhance the skin’s natural lipid barriers.
Here are a few key points for winter protection.
1. Don’t give up the SPF. This is one thing many people put aside for the winter but it is important to understand that UV LIGHT is responsible for ageing and not just summer sun. It is everyday exposure that contributes to wrinkles. The Zinc in a natural Sunscreen, is also calming and anti inflammatory and will form a good, protective barrier. For those of you that spend a lot of time outdoors, especially runners, walkers and horse riders, try Epicuren’s Xtreme cream 45. This contains Bee Propolis and protects against wind burn, sun burn and is also anti-inflammatory soothing irritated skin.
2. Don’t over exfoliate. Many of us love a ‘good ol’ scrub’, but too much exfoliation will break down the skin’s natural barriers and leave you much more susceptible to environmental damage. With air conditioning, indoor heating, car heaters and then the harsh cold weather, your skin will suffer very quickly. So, for those that exfoliate more than once a week, cut down to ONLY once a week. For those with more sensitive, fine, or delicate skin, swap your scrub for a creamy cleanser and just spend at least 30 seconds to a minute massaging this into the skin, twice daily and gently remove. This will be more than enough exfoliation. Problematic skin types with break outs, blemishes and/or inflammation should avoid scrubs…forever ! Mix a little astringent (salicylic if possible) with a cream cleanser, massage in for 30 seconds, leave for about 5 minutes and hey presto! Baby soft skin without scratching !
3. Smoochy soft lips. Our poor old lips can get chapped and split and look and feel terrible. Here is a little trick for you. Apply a non-petroleum based balm (very important as petroleum is a yukky chemical and will make your lips worse in the long run), leave for 5 minutes, take a good (little) dollop of the balm and add a small pinch of sugar, mixing together in the palm of your hand. Use this to rub over the lips, then rinse. A safe way to remove dry skin. AND NEVER lick your lips whilst out in the cold !
4. Hands. Oh our poor little handies. Dry, itchy skin can drive us nuts and these hard working extremities can quickly suffer. Always wear gloves whenever you can, use a chemical free hand cream, to nourish and soothe and look out for ingredients that have healing elements to them, such as Lavender, chamomile and rose.
5. Toastie Tootsies. Every spring we have clients running to the salon, in fear of whipping out dry, cracked heels and so winter is the perfect time to keep them supple. Just because we no longer see them from dawn till dusk doesn’t mean they don’t need some TLC! During the cold winter evenings, apply a very generous layer of your favorite body balm/lotion. Wrap in sandwich bags or Clingfilm, then apply your socks over the top. Heat up a wheat bag or similar, apply over feet and sit back with a hot choccie and catch up on your favourite soap. Here’s a little tip also, you know those face creams that you didn’t like on your skin or, the cheap one Old Aunt Maude bought last Christmas, use those for your foot or hand mask! Brilliant ingredients for hydrating and softening.
6. Finally ..your face…. Your skin needs more protection during the cold weather and so now is a good time to upgrade your daily moisturiser to a richer one. Try switching to your brands evening cream and use that AM and PM, to enhance and protect. Excellent ingredients to look out for, if making a new purchase, are Hylauronic acid (a super hydrator), glycerine, panthenol & squaline. All are natural hydrators that increase moisture levels.
November can be a bit dull and dreary or freezing so make the most of cosy nights in, fluffy socks, long bubbly baths and hot chocolate on the sofa with a good book. 
Happy November!!
Joanne Goodman
