By @FionnualaMcNult
The change in weather means that our skin needs some extra TLC and what better way to do this than layering up with some moisturiser. The cold and lack of sunlight can be very harsh on the skin causing dryness, breakouts and irritation all things which you don't need this winter. However there are many things you can do to combat this and the first step is with a good moisturiser. It can act as the first layer of defence when you step outside and help protect your skin throughout the day. A moisturiser should already be part of your daily skin routine but if not then here's a guide to help you choose one to join your daily routine. Before you go ahead and choose make sure you have an idea of the type of skin you have, be it dry, oily, acne prone ect as your skin will react differently to each moisturiser.
Photo credit: Unsplash
Dry Skin
If you already have dry and flaky skin winter can be a hard time as the weather isn't stacked in your favour. However, do not feel as if there is nothing you can do, there are hundreds of products to help you through these months. When looking for a moisturiser ensure that it is for dry skin, you need as much moisture as possible to penetrate your skin, also look out for those products which lock in moisture as these will be your best friend. Make sure to avoid any harsh chemicals such as perfume and parabens as these will only dry out the skin more and cause irritation, redness and rashes. Jojoba is one particular ingredient which will increase the moisture in the skin without clogging the pores causing breakouts.
Combination Skin
It is a common theme with combination skin that the ‘T’ zone is most oily and the cheeks are dry or normal which can make it hard to apply a moisturiser. You don't want to dry out the cheeks anymore than you need to and you don't want to over moisturise the ‘T’ zone as it is already overcome with natural oils. However there are solutions out there, one being using two different moisturisers for each type of skin, don't be afraid to use one moisturizer dedicated to oily skin on the nose and a moisturiser dedicated to dry skin on the cheeks. This way you will be meeting the needs of all types of skin.
Acne Prone Skin
It can be hard to find products which do not increase the risk of breaking out. Any change to your skin routine runs the risk of getting spots however there sometimes needs to be a change in the routine to better the skin. When choosing a moisturiser try to opt for ones which are non-comedogenic which is a fancy way of saying that it will not clog your pores which is essential for acne prone skin. You should also look for ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, salicylic acid and aloe vera are all ways to treat and tackle spot prone skin. You need to be careful that the moisturiser is not heavy on the skin as this will clog pores, try a light weight and natural moisturiser filled with ingredients such as cucumber and aloe vera to help soothe the skin.
Oily Skin
It may seem strange to even think about moisturising oily skin as you would think the natural oils would be enough however do not be fooled your skin still needs this extra moisture as oily skin does not equate to hydrated skin. There are a few ingredients that you need to look out for such as hyaluronic acid and glycerin; these will help to hydrate the skin whilst not clogging up the pores with excess product. Also natural elements such as cucumber and aloe vera are the perfect way to increase hydration without overpowering the skin.
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Boost Radiance
Whilst all moisturisers are made to increase the look and feel of the skin some can target areas such as brightness and radiance. It is common in winter for the skin to become dull and dry so a moisturiser which can heal the skin whilst boosting luminosity and evening out the skin is much desired. There are many products out there that are able to do this, particular brands such as Decleor, Weleda and Caudalie have moisturisers which can almost act as a highlighter as the light bounces off them so well. I would particularly recommend the Weleda skin food as it has brightening properties and even colour correcting agents which even out the skin tone leaving you fresh faced.
Tagged in Beauty Tips skincare