How To Deal With Winter Skin
During the winter months, we typically experience drier skin due to a number of factors, including cold and windy weather and central heating.
Our skin is often left looking dull, blotchy and tired. To make matters worse, the build-up of dry skin cells can also clog pores and cause breakouts, known as Winter Acne.
Although people with blemish prone skin will be more susceptible to winter acne, even those with normally clear skin can have problems with spots during the colder winter months.
For many of us, breakouts can be a source of insecurity and embarrassment, especially when your teenage years are well behind you! However, winter skin can be treated and prevented. With the right care, your skin will find its natural balance again and be spot-free.
Nuz Shugaa - celebrity facialist with a client list that includes Amanda Seyfried, Rachel Weisz and Dominic Cooper - says: “Our skin changes during the year – it is oilier in summer and drier in winter.
"It is the harsh winter weather and the exposure to central heating that causes our skin to lose moisture. If you are prone to spots and blemishes in winter, it’s important to prevent your skin from becoming dry and flaky as this would clog pores and aggravate your skin problem.
"In addition, you need to nourish and hydrate your skin from the inside out. These little changes can make a huge difference to the skin and help you get through winter without suffering from embarrassing spots.”
Nuz Shugaa shares her top 5 tips on how to adapt your skincare to the cold and avoid Winter Acne:
1. Change your cleanser
Replace your gel cleanser for a creamy cleanser that doesn’t strip your face of essential oils, like the MADARA Delicate Cleansing Cream (RRP £13). It contains oats and linden flower, known to be very nourishing and gentle on the skin
2. Use a rich moisturiser
Your skin needs extra hydration in winter so make sure to go for a rich moisturiser, suitable for dry skin. My favourite is Energys Intense Radiance Replenishing Cream (RRP 19.90) that contains edelweiss, papaya and aloe vera, which has superb moisturising properties and also brightens the complexion
3. Continue to exfoliate
If you’re prone to spots in winter, it is good to exfoliate two or three times a week, even during the colder winter months.
Dead skin automatically clogs up your pores. This means that oil and dirt will get stuck underneath the surface of your skin.
By exfoliating you are helping your pores stay clear, while preventing breakouts. Choose a face scrub that is gentle and contains nourishing ingredients, like the Geo Skincare Delicate Exfoliator (RRP £20).
The jojoba beads in this scrub don’t scratch or irritate the skin – perfect for people that suffer from breakouts.
4. Increase your intake of water
Many of us find it hard to remember to drink enough water in the colder winter months. However, drinking water in winter is just as important as we experience much drier conditions due to a drop in humidity outdoors combined with the use of heating systems indoors.
Therefore, make an effort to drink plenty of water or if you prefer, opt for herbal teas. This will help your bodily functions to work more efficiently and will help to flush out toxins, which can only benefit your skin.
5. Take a natural supplement
Our skin is not only affected by the variety of creams we apply, but also by what we put in our bodies.
To prevent breakouts, try a natural supplement that works from the inside out, like ‘help: clear skin’ from Works with Water Nutraceuticals (£14.79 for a week’s supply) which has been clinically proven to work within six weeks.
It contains a bioactive protein extracted from milk that helps to reduce the development of bacteria responsible for many skin impurities.
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