Winter Skin Care Saviours
Author Fiona Wondergem
Longer nights and colder temperatures, shouldn’t mean the beginning of dry, dull, red or flaky skin! So here at ReWonder Medical Aesthetics in Waterloo, Huddersfield, we have put together an easy guide on how to keep your skin hydrated and healthy skin this winter.
Winter can be a magical time with its snowy and icy landscapes. But for all the seasonal sparkle, the drop in humidity levels, freezing outdoor temperatures alternating with toasty indoor heating can spell disaster for our complexions and bring with it some less than desirable or glamorous effects for your skin. Unless you don’t plan on leaving your house until Spring time, the next couple of months are the perfect opportunity to reassess skin care routines as well as the products you use, in order to keep your skin looking fresh, healthy and silky smooth.
Dry Skin
Dry skin during the winter months can be a real issue, and whilst cranking up radiator thermostats and long hot baths or showers might take the chill from your bones, they can be extremely drying for our skin.
Central heating in our homes and offices can really wreak havoc on our skin, causing it to dry out as artificial heat dries the air around us out and moisture evaporates from our inside and outside our skin as well. Racing indoors and into a cosy centrally heated house or work place, after being out and about on a freezing cold day can cause havoc with the little red veins in our face, causing them to rapidly contract and expand which can lead to lots of broken veins and capillaries across our noses, cheeks and chin area. Adding a few drops of a almond, avocado or coconut oils prior to a long hot soak can help to boost your skins’ hydration levels, and ensuring you turn down the water temperature when washing or cleansing your face can reduce the risk of redness or irritation. You could also consider investing in a humidifier which will increase the moisture content in the air. Not only will this help to keep your skin hydrated but your indoor plants will be fans too.
Cleansing
Cleansing is the most important step in all skincare regimes, however, sadly its one that many people pay the least attention to. If you have dry or sensitive skin, try to avoid using highly perfumed cleansers and go easy on full face washing. Instead opt for a gentle cleanser, slightly cooler water and a soft clean face towel to help remove make up and skin impurities.
A firm favourite here at ReWonder is the Obagi Nu-Derm Gentle Cleanser. This non drying and mild facial cleanser is perfect for daily use and will gently remove any impurities, makeup leaving your skin feeling fresh and rejuvenated. For oilier complexions there is the Obagi Nu –Derm Foaming Cleanser that can cleanse congested pores without making the skin feel overly dry.
Exfoliating
Something a lot of people forget to do during the winter months is to exfoliate regularly. By removing and buffing away dead skin cells and surface impurities, your skin is then better able to benefit from any oils, creams or facial masks you might use.
Try to avoid using rough flannels on winter challenged skin and instead opt for a liquid product that can gently exfoliate, soften and lift away dead skin cells such as the Obagi 360 Exfoliating Cleanser which will gently remove dull dry skin cells that clog your pores and reveal a soft, smooth, radiant complexion
Dry skin brushing not only gets rid of dead skin cells, but also improves blood supply to the skin as well as giving your lymphatic drainage a kick start. Body salt scrubs can also smooth away rough patches of skin and when combined with oils give you a spa like skin treatment in the comfort of your own bathroom.
Staying Hydrated
Water makes up around 64% of our skin, but during the winter months many of us neglect to drink enough good old H2O. Although it’s massively important that the skin is soothed and moisturised with creams, oils or serums we need to drink enough to flush out toxins from our kidneys which may contribute to dull or dry skin conditions. Water also helps to plump up the skin which helps to reduce the look of lines and wrinkles, so if you’re not ready to invest in injectable treatments to tackle these, try to drink at least 6-8 glasses of water every day – that’s around 2 litres.
Moisturisation
Sometimes, with the best will in the world our skin just needs a little extra TLC and moisturisation. Obagi Hydrate is an innovative gentle lightweight moisturiser devised to combat signs of ageing such as fine lines, wrinkles and crows feet, with the addition of naturally derived products such as shea butter, mango butter, avocado oils etc. For those who enjoy a richer more intense feeling of moisture then Obagi Hydrate Luxe is a luxuriously rich, creamy overnight skin replenisher that combines innovative technology, naturally derived ingredients and hydromanil, which can dramatically improve skin moisture levels. Another beautifulproduct from this award winning medical skin care range is the dual function Obagi 360 Hydrafactor which combines effective moisturisation for winter skin as well as a broad spectrum SPF 30 to protect from harmful UVA and UVB rays which are present all year round including the long dark Winter months.
Don’t forget the SPF
Even though it can seem that the sun has well and truly done a runner, during winter, sun protection is a must even on the cloudiest or dullest of days. Whilst its true there a fewer UVB rays around which can cause burning, there are still plenty of UVA rays which can penetrate the deeper skin layers and are responsible for deeper cellular damage. As mentioned previously Obagi 360 Hydrafactorcombines effective moisturisation with an SPF30 sun protection. Top ReWonder picks include Obagi Sun Shield Tint Broad Spectrum SPF 50 in Cool or Warm shades and are both a physical and chemical sunscreen to enable your skin to look fabulous all year round.
Last but not least
Regular facials throughout the winter will help to maintain your skin’s summertime glow. It’s recommended that you book a facial treatment every 5-6 weeks, since this is how long it takes you to complete one full skin cycle. Over summer, you can get away with fewer treatments (depending on your skin type); come winter, you’ll benefit from monthly facials to tackle dullness and keep skin hydrated. Here at ReWonder Medical Aesthetics in Waterloo, Huddersfield we offer a range of bespoke facials as well as the award winning Hydrafacial™. As official Obagi stockists we can help you decide on the most appropriate skin care for your skin type.
