Ok, so we know the winter months bring colder weather and drier air that our skin definitely doesn’t like. The fridge-like temperatures can wreak havoc on our complexion, causing dryness, sensitivity, flaking and in extreme cases, cracking, which can be quite painful. Our skin also has to contend with the impact of drier air inside our homes; the increased use of central heating often means our skin is on the back foot when it comes to maintaining its radiance. There are however some simple steps you can follow to help keep your skin on track during the colder months.

1. Dial down the heat

When the temperatures drop, taking hot showers and baths feels lovely, but they are not your skin’s best friend. Hot water evaporates faster than cold water and if the skin is not immediately moisturised, the skin can lose its natural hydration quickly.

Trans-epidermal water loss is a natural process that occurs when water makes its way from the dermis (the deepest layers of skin) and passes up to the epidermis where it evaporates from the stratum corneum (very top of skin) into the atmosphere. Excessively hot bathing can increase the rate of trans-epidermal water loss, resulting in dehydrated skin. It can become a vicious circle; when dry air takes moisture from our skin, its structure changes and when the skin is drier, wrinkles become more visible. So, turn down the heat and ensure you apply your skincare as soon as you get out of the shower and that’s not just your body moisturiser, that includes your facial skincare too.

2. Keep moisture in the air.

Our skin is the barrier that keeps water inside of the body, when the air is drier it struggles to maintain its natural moisture balance. Adding moisture to our indoor environment is key and a very simple method is to place a bowl of water on top of a radiator which will evaporate into the air. This is quite a basic method and while effective, using a humidifier is the best option. I have written a blog post with lots more info on the benefits of supporting the moisture levels of our indoor environments.  Read the blog here This is especially important as we spend over 90% or out time indoors!

3. Exfoliate (yes even in the winter!)

While you may think exfoliation should be avoided if your skin is feeling a little dry, my personal view is sometimes the opposite is true. Gentle exfoliation can remove dry skin cells to reveal baby fresh skin and promote good cell turnover and a healthy glow. However, I do say this with some caution, if your skin is feeling sensitive then proceed with care. We don’t want to be disrupting the barrier function and making things worse. Always keep in mind what else you have in your skincare routine, i.e. are you using retinols and other cell turnover enhancers?

nature in a jar gentle warming exfoliator with jojoba contains a blend of naturally-derived ingredients such as jojoba oil, apricot oil and fine-grain desert earth to nourish and smooth the skin. It is suitable for all skin types including sensitive skin.  

4. Review your skincare

I’m not saying you need a skincare routine overhaul, far from it, but it’s good to have a check in with how your skin is feeling and looking. You might choose to book an online consultation with a skin expert to review things with you. Your skin and lifestyle is totally unique to you!

As a general rule, ensure you’re not over stripping the skin with harsh cleansers – this is a good all year-round rule anyway! philosophy’s purity 3-in-1 cleanser is a gentle yet effective daily cleanser which works to cleanse, tone and hydrate in one simple step thanks to its blend of 12 essential oils including meadowfoam seed oil, rosewood oil and sandalwood oil to calm, soothe and hydrate the complexion. There is also an oil-free version of available which contains bamboo extract to cleanse, hydrate and balance the skin without stripping it of essential moisture.

Add in hydrating serums, you might already have a hyaluronic serum you use once a day, maybe increase that to morning and night, or add in a hydrating tonic to apply before your serums.

Your moisturiser is a key product during the winter months to help protect the outer most layers of your skin. Choosing one that’s best suited to your skin (not your best friend’s skin) is really important. I generally don’t base decisions on age either when it comes to selecting a moisturiser, it can be a guide but there are certain occasions when you might have young skin that is genetically dry and it needs a lot more nourishment, or you might have hormonal menopausal skin which might breakout with a rich heavy cream.

philosophy has a variety of moisturisers to suit all skin needs and I’ve included my favourites below.

purity made simple – this is a lightweight cream, suitable for dry and oily skin types. It’s not heavy, it’s more like a lotion texture. Even though its lightweight you can definitely feel the hydration it gives. This is good for all skin types; I find it makes the skin feel moisturised but not greasy. It’s got a lovely blend of antioxidants with Vitamin C, E and green tea as well as meadowfoam seed oil and cold-pressed chia seed oil which are natural oils rich in fatty acids to support the skin’s barrier. It’s the type of day cream I could use as well as my 21-year-old daughter.

renewed hope in a jar is good for generally dry skin, dull skin and first signs of ageing. This is a unique moisturiser which also refines texture with a triple blend of AHAs (alpha-hydroxy acids) to gently exfoliate skin while other key ingredients such as three forms of hyaluronate (a form of hyaluronic acid) are nourishing, hydrating and brightening. So this is a bit of an all in one day cream; think dewy, comfortable skin.

renewed hope in a jar overnight recharging and refining moisturiser – this is good for really dry and mature skin types. It helps to boost the skin while you’re sleeping and supports cell turnover. This is all about mega hydration overnight.

5. Hydrate inside and out

Yes, it’s a cliché to tell you to keep drinking water, however it is essential to health and the health of our skin. In the winter months we might reach for the thick milky hot chocolates and coffees for our hydration, these really don’t count I’m sorry to say. We still need water, herbal teas, sparkling water, hot water, lemon, ginger and eat your water with hydrating fruit and vegetables.

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This is a sponsored post by philosophy skincare