How to revitalise your tired, winter worn skin

Winter isn’t kind to our skin – but luckily, we can be. From soothing redness caused by biting winds, to combating dryness from central heating, there are umpteen reasons why it is important to give our skin an extra splash of TLC.

OPERATION: HYDRATION

Just as the leaves transform from green to shades of red and golden brown, it is inevitable that our skin will start to dry.

It is, first of all, worth noting the difference between dry skin and dehydrated skin. The former is a lack of oil in the skin, while dehydration is lack of moisture.

Dry skin feels rough and may be flaky and tends to occur in winter as water is lost more rapidly from the skin, whereas a dehydrated skin can show as fine lines and appear dull; however, both can give feelings of tightness.

Those with oily or combination skin tend to have skin that is dehydrated. To tackle it, try incorporating water-rich raw fruits and veggies into your diet, which releases water into the body slowly over time.

Similarly, eating water based food is the best way to avoid dehydrated, tired and lacklustre skin, and it will benefit your entire body in the process. For dry skin, try regular exfoliation to help shed the build-up of dead skin cells.

STUNT YOUR SOAK

Another way to tackle winter dryness is to limit the time you spend in the bath or shower. Avoid hot water, as this strips the natural oils off the skin and the skin loses moisture.

Moisturise as soon as you get out of a bath or a shower to lock in your moisture, and opt for a thicker type of moisturiser – like ointments or creams, rather than a lotion or gel – to provide longer moisture to the skin.

FIGHT THE FLARES

Winter can also see a rise in more serious conditions like rosacea, psoriasis and eczema: All of these can flare up due to harsh winter weather with low humidity, strong winds and heating indoors.

The solution, then, is to regularly moisturise, as this should prevent any worsening by preventing dryness. Generally, those of us prone to redness should choose products for sensitive skin types. If you still struggle with redness no matter how much you moisturise, it could be worth taking a deep dive into your diet.

Did you know that certain foods and drinks – such as cheeses, citrus-rich foods and alcohol – may cause redness. If you suspect this is the case, identify the foods that affect you by tracking what you eat – and then evaluate how your skin reacts during the few hours after consumption.

LESS SPICE IS NICE

Spicy foods can trigger inflammation. Instead, stock up on carrots, sweet potatoes and broccoli, as these foods are packed with antioxidants that will help to hydrate the skin internally, and protect cells from environmental damage, which can further irritate rosacea-prone skin.

Even if you manage to avoid dry skin, chapped lips are part and parcel of the colder months – and there’s a reason why your pout might be feeling sore.

LOVE YOUR LIPS

Lips are particularly vulnerable to environmental factors, such as harsh winds and cold climates, because they don’t have oil glands or an outer protective stratum corneum to protect them. Also – lips don’t have sweat glands, so the skin can dry out much more easily. Give your lips a bit more love and attention, locking in moisture with a great lip balm or protector.

‘OIL’ OR NOTHING

Perhaps lesser-known is that many of the major skin problems in winter stem from dryness, but it could be oiliness that you are ‘facing’ – quite literally.

Skin can become more oily in the winter, as it tries to compensate for lack of hydration. If skin lacks hydration, it will produce more oil – this is why it’s important for those with oily skin to still use a moisturiser. If you’re experiencing oiliness in winter, opt for a lighter moisturiser or serum.