Autumn feels like it’s well and truly here now, and while you’ve probably begun digging yourknitwearandslippersout again, you may not have thought about how the colder weather can also impact your skincare routine.
But the drop in temperature can have a real impact on your skin. “During the winter, the cold winds and indoor heating can dry the skin out, compromising its barrier function,” says Dr Qian Xu, founder and medical director atSkin Aesthetics . This can result not only in skin that’s drier than normal, but also itchiness, increased sensitivity and the lack of radiance that comes from dehydration.
Fortunately there are a few simple tweaks you can make now to winter-proof your skin and keep feeling happy and healthy over the next few months (and don’t worry, we’re not telling you to throw out your entire skincare routine and restock from scratch).
Strengthen your skin barrier
Ensuring that the outermost layer of your skin stays strong and healthy will reduce moisture loss, keeping skin hydrated when the weather’s cold. A robust skin barrier also stops aggressors like pollution and allergens from getting in.
If you’re not already, start by introducing ceramides into your skincare routine – these lipids act like cement that holds skin cells together, creating the barrier that keeps moisture in and potential irritants out.
Try:CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser, currently £9.20
Amp up your moisturiser
If you were using a lightweight moisturiser during summer and your skin’s now feeling drier than usual, you may need to switch to a richer formula of face cream. You could even use a facial oil in the evenings if you feel that your skin still needs a little something extra.
Try:Tatcha The Dewy Skin Cream, from £24
While for especially dry skin,this super-thick £10 moisturiserwas a backstage secret behind models’ glowing skin at the recent London Fashion Week.
Soothe sensitive skin
If you’re prone to skin sensitivity, you may find that the harsh weather and drying heating central makes your face feel more irritated than usual.
To tackle flare-ups of sensitive skin, remove any active ingredients from your routine (retinol, exfoliating acids, vitamin C, etc) and strip your skincare back to basics until it feels better. Choose simple, fragrance-free formulas and don’t overload the skin with too many layers of product.
Try:La Roche-Posay Toleriane Ultra Dermallergo Serum, £32
Keep wearing SPF
Just because it doesn’t look like we’ll be seeing any sun for a while, this doesn’t mean you can skip applying sunscreen. UV rays are present all year round, even on the cloudiest day, which can damage skin cells – exposure to UVA rays in particular is one of the leading causes of premature skin ageing.
Apply a thorough layer of SPF to your face every day, all year round.
Try:L’Oréal Paris Revitalift Clinical Anti-UV Fluid SPF 50+, £19.99
Don’t forget about your body
Remember that your skin doesn’t stop at the neck; your hands, arms and legs will also get drier in autumn and winter.
If you don’t already, get into the habit of massaging in body lotion or oil every time you get out of the shower, and applying hand cream before bed (and ideally regularly throughout the day, too).
Lips may also feel flakier in winter, so keep anourishing lip balmwith you at all times.
Try:Q+A Ceramide Body Lotion, £10
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