Heath & Beauty - Free Fitness Library
Ten ways to save your skin this winter
by Abby Knight
Believe it or not, the combination of sub zero temperatures and drying central heating can wreak more havoc on your complexion than a tropical summer. So whether you're planning to hit the slopes this winter, or just survive the cold weather at home, follow our tips to save your skin and have a beautiful winter!
1. As winter draws on, the first change in your beauty routine should be to lower the temperature of the water you wash in. The theory of dowsing your skin with hot water just because it's cold outside does not hold true, as the warmer the water, the more drying it is. Use a non detergent cleansing bar like Vichy's Aqua Tendre Transparent Cleansing Bar, £5.20, or a facial wash like No7's Gentle Soap Free Wash, £3.50. Try splashing your face 15 times with tepid water to rinse skin and get your circulation pumping.
2. Avoid harsh astringent products that can dry out the skin. remove cleanser residue and freshen skin with a gentle toner like Clarins' Plant Toning Lotion without alcohol, £9.00, using upward strokes to sweep over your face.
3. Protect your skin with an extra oily moisturiser that won't freeze on the skin, especially if you're going skiing this year where the air is particularly cold and dry. Smooth on Lancome's Bienfait Total poly-vitamin day fluid SPF15, £20.00, or try Innoxa's Effective Moisturising Lotion with vitamins A, E and B5, price £3.99.
4. Indulge in regular treatment masks to cleanse, moisturise and invigorate the skin. Look for formulas that don't set hard and so won't stretch the skin; try Vichy's Hydra Purifying Revitalising Mask, £8.00, or Mud Moisturising Treatment Masque, £4.29, then relax for 10 minutes.
5. Use a sunscreen on clear, bright days. Just because the sun isn't hot, it doesn't mean that it won't harm the skin, especially if you are spending a lot of time outdoors either skiing or walking. Smooth on Piz Buin's Cold and Sun with an SPF4, or, for more extreme conditions, try their Glacier with an SPF20, both £5.95, and don't forget to protect the lips too!
6. Stop skin drying out at night by placing a humidifier in the room that will help to keep moisture in the air. A bowl of water placed next to a radiator or heater works just as well.
7. Energise skin with the latest fruit acid formulas that help to speed up skin cell renewal to freshen and brighten the complexion. MD Formulations Facial Cream, £14.00, contains glycolic acid which has the smallest molecules of all the fruit acids and is therefore most effective at penetrating the skin. Used regularly it will help to rejuvenate skin and soften fine lines (call 0268 723 232 for details). Diadermine's Fruitosome, £7.98, works in the same way.
8. Feed your face from the inside out by making sure that your diet is high in anti- oxidants, body boosting vitamins that help to protect skin from free radical scavengers found in pollution, smoke and alcohol. Step up your intake of fresh fruits and turn winter vegetables like broccoli, carrots, butter beans and potatoes into soups and stews.
9. Make up to protect your skin. Apply a moisturising foundation like Yardley's new Complete Performance which contains camellia and camomile to moisturise and protect skin, £6.50. Lip conditioning lipsticks like Colourings (Body Shop) oil-in-water formula Lip Treats available in six mouth-watering shades. £3.93. Disguise fine lines with light reflective powders than give skin a soft focus finish. Fluff on Max Factor's Colour and Light Pressed Powder, £4.99, over foundation with a big, soft brush.
10. Drink lots of fresh water to keep your skin hydrated. Eight glasses of water a day should be your minimum. Sip it sparkling with twists of fresh fruit if you can't take it straight.