11 skincare tips to give you a natural glow this winter
Do you find the cold winter weather harsh on your face? Read 11 skincare tips to give you a natural glow from a skin expert.
Feeling confident and self-assured really matters when it comes to meeting people. The clothes we wear, shoes and make up all go a long way to help boost that essential feel good factor. Our skin plays an important role in this too. So it’s important that we look after it properly to maintain its natural, healthy glow.
11 skincare tips to give you a natural glow this winter
The winter months are the perfect time to pamper yourself a little and rejuvenate and repair your skin. Skincare expert, Dr Qian Xu of Skin Aesthetics shares 11 tips to help you keep your skin in top condition.
1) Use an oily moisturiser
Cold weather can be a very harsh on your skin. So you may well find that you need to use a heavier, more oily moisturiser to help prevent excess water loss during the winter months. Ingredients like hyaluronic acid, glycerin and various oils will help keep the skin soft and hydrated, while preventing excess moisture loss.
2) Buy a humidifier
Indoor heating can really dry out the air, which in turn will dry out your skin quicker. Unfortunately, for those people with dry or sensitive skin, this can lead to redness, rashes or flaky skin. Investing in a humidifier can make a world of difference.
3) Carry hand cream with with you
Your hands are continually exposed to the elements, so make sure you use a nourishing hand cream and wear gloves when you go outside. Be sure to carry a small tube of hand cream in your hand bag and apply it frequently especially after washing your hands. Doing this will prevent getting chapped skin.
4) Exfoliate your feet
If you want your feet to look amazing next summer be aware that the callus and dry skin won’t go overnight, so start giving them a bit of TLC now. Exfoliate your feet once a week using a good foot scrub and moisturise them regularly. They will look fabulous in your favourite sandals next summer!
5) Wear sunscreen
Sunscreen is not just for the summer, but should be used all year round to prevent premature ageing from the UV rays. The winter sun can be deceptively strong, so get into the habit of applying a sunscreen with a minimum SPF of 30 every day.
6) Drink water
Keeping hydrated by drinking plenty of water is not only good for your skin because it helps to plump up the skin cells and flush out any toxins as well as being great for your general health. Try to drink at least one litre of water in addition to teas and coffees.
7) Eat a well-balanced diet
The onset of colder weather always makes us feel more hungry, and the festive season doesn’t really help either! Try not to indulge too much on sugary foods, as sugar has been found to speed up the aging process.
Eating a well-balanced diet is essential for preventing skin conditions and keeping it healthy. If you are lacking key vitamins your skin will start to show it. Symptoms to watch out for include discolouration, dryness or spots starting to appear.
If you are really uncertain about what you should be eating it is a good idea to pay a visit to a nutritionist.
8) Keep exercising
Make sure you don’t stop exercising over the winter. Physical activity increases blood flow which helps nourish skin cells and keep them healthy as well as flushing out cellular debris. Exercise also causes the release of endorphins that make you feel happier and less stressed which is particularly good for anyone prone to seasonal affective disorder.
9) Treat yourself to a treatment
Winter is the perfect time to treat yourself to skin rejuvenation and rehydration treatments. Chemical peels and microneedling will help reduce pigmentation, remove the dullness and increase collagen production. Who doesn’t need that! Treatments like mesotherapy or a hydrating facial will help keep the skin in good condition.
10) Avoid hot baths
A hot bath at the end of a long stressful day seems very tempting however the heat can soften the outer waxy layer of your skin and damage its barrier function, leaving you with vulnerable skin that is prone to dryness and sensitivity.
11) Visit a skin specialist
And finally, many people are using the wrong skin care products for their skin. No wonder they are not getting optimum results! A skin specialist can do a proper consultation and put together a personalised skincare plan to suit you.
If you have any skincare questions please get in touch with Dr Qian Xu at Skin Aesthetics. You can call her on 020 3494 4363 or email her.
Photo by Allef Vinicius
