Insulate your skin this winter

Winter, I think we all see ourselves cosying up in front of a wood fire, glass of red wine, reading through a list of fabulous books, having long baths, and layering up for long walks in the cold. 

But it is not too lovely for your skin, with the indoor heated living, hotter showers, cold and windy weather which all make your skin dry, tight and dehydrated and that’s neither healthy nor flattering. So here’s a few easy things to do to keep it at its best through the cold time. It just takes a wee bit extra attention 

1. First and most important, because this one is the easiest to drop — use an SPF sunscreen. So many of us don’t bother with this in winter because we believe the sun is weaker, but the most harmful of the sun’s UV rays, the ones that cause premature aging, are still beaming in loud and strong through winter. Don't be fooled - the colder days still have the rays!
   

2. Avoid hot and long showers or baths. Even when that seems like heaven, there is nothing more dehydrating for your skin. Hot water strips your skin of natural protecting oils, so keep the water warm, not hot. Keep them short, not long. Keep your face out of the direct hot water and moisturise straight after.
   

3. Cleanse with a gentle cleanser at night. No need to cleanse in the morning, especially if your skin is feeling dry. I never do. Just use a wet flannel to freshen your face.
   

4. A good face cream is key. In winter your skin loses lots of moisture from the top layers thanks to evaporation in windy and colder conditions or from sitting in rooms that are artificially heated. An oil-rich moisturiser high in humectants will hydrate your skin from the top by locking in water while also drawing up moisture from lower in the skin layers where there is plenty. 
   

5. If your skin is still feeling dry even with a Face Cream add a nutritious, antioxidant-rich Face Oil or my Restorative Serum with it's fabulously hydrating squalane because dry skin is lacking in oil.
   

6. Try the Blam Blam Balm as a sleeping mask a few nights a week and see how that feels. Apply it as the last layer of skincare.
   

7. Start your skincare nice and early and give it lots of time to absorb and start working before lying your head on the pillow, especially if you are using the Blam Blam Balm sleeping mask. Your skin works on a circadian cycle so it starts to repair as the sun sets and we are almost at the shortest day so take advantage!
   

8. Don’t forget about the rest of your body 

I am now living in a much colder winter climate which I am enjoying but I am definetly using an extra layer of skin care most nights on top of my Serum and Face Cream -- either the Face Oil or Blam Blam Balm.