Winter Proofing Your Skin for that all year round gorgeous healthy glow

When winter sets in and the outside temperatures drop our skin is the first organ to respond to the changes.  The combination of low temperatures, low humidity and the effects of wind and UV on the skin can really add to the winter skin woes. Because our skin is the body's primary interface with the environment, it is particularly susceptible to climatic conditions. Consequently, winter often brings an increased incidence of skin flares, allergies, redness, and chronic dryness.

In fact, a recent study found a higher incidence of Atopic Dermatitis in children born in colder seasons. Understanding how these climatic conditions affect our skin and how to adjust our skincare routine to build skin resilience is key to maintaining beautiful skin all year round.

How the cold affects our skin barrier function

Low temperatures and low humidity in the wintertime can result in very dry skin, which, if left unchecked, will damage the skin's barrier function. The barrier function protects the skin from external stressors, keeps it optimally hydrated, and transports important nutrients to the skin. As the barrier function is the primary determinant of healthy skin, developing a winter skincare regime to protect it is vital.

If the skins barrier function is disrupted it will behave like a leaky bucket and maintaining the skins hydration levels will become extremely difficult.

One of the simplest steps to keep the barrier function intact during the winter months is the introduction of a facial oil to your AM and PM routine such as our Radiance Firming Facial Oil or Argan Skin Rescue. Cold and windy conditions can wear away the protective fatty lipids of the barrier and oils help to replace them and lock in the moisture to the skin's protective barrier. Blended combinations that provide a spectrum of the micronutrients the skin needs are a wonderful way to maintain a healthy glow to the skin.

Oils such as macadamia and argan have been shown to help maintain and repair barrier function. Whilst oils such as sunflower, rosehip and borage can provide a protection to help to reduce the effects of inflammation. 

Blended oils with antioxidant ingredients such as oil soluble vitamin c, algae extract and tocopherol can supply an antioxidant reservoir to the skin and act as an insurance policy against the oxidative stress caused by winter weather.

Maintaining the skin's Natural Moisturising Factor

Maintaining the skins Natural Moisturising Factor is the second line of defence in maintaining a healthy glow during winter. The natural moisturising factor helps the skin regulate how much moisture it produces based on your environment.

It helps to draw moisture from the air into the skin. Trehalose is a natural ingredient known for its ability to mimic our skins natural moisturising factor and combined with other water soluble ingredient such as hyaluronic acid, panthenol, sodium pca and glycerine can be extremely helpful to supporting the skin to maintaining it natural hydration levels.

Changing your cleansing routine

Harsh cleansing can often disrupt the natural moisture within the skin, and during the winter months, it may be valuable to re-evaluate your cleansing regime. Dialling down the harshness of cleansing and introducing a post-cleanse essence such as our Ceramide Moisture Boost Essence to balance skin hydration before moisturising can work wonders. Essences are formulated to be used after cleansing but before moisturising to replenish the vital ceramides and water-soluble components of the skin. This small change in regime can really help build the skin's natural resilience.

Pollution and UV Damage

Pollution and UV damage can be increasingly problematic in the winter months.  Sun can reflect on the snow and double UV exposure and our behaviours during the winter usually contributes to higher levels of air pollution which can make air quality worse. 

Particulate matter from pollution can increase oxidative damage to the skin and lead to pre mature ageing and increased age spots.

Topical extracts such as kale, and phytosterols can help combat the effects of particulate matter by breaking it down before it has a chance to wreak oxidative havoc on your skin. Our Kale range is formulated with a pollution-busting combination of kale and Griffonia to protect your skin from the effects of pollution.

Using SPF daily, such as our Skin Protecting Daily Moisturiser SPF25, exfoliating more regularly, with our gentle Kale Enzymatic Exfoliator, and introducing a night repair mask with protective antioxidant extracts and probiotics, such as our Probiotic Multi-Mineral Repair Mask, can really help protect the skin from the effects of particulate matter.

Other lifestyle changes to help in the winter

Alongside the changes to our skincare regime, we can make some practical lifestyle and well-being changes to keep us gliding through the winter at our beautiful best.

Here are our top 5:

1. Turn down the temperature of your shower just a tad. This can help reduce the drying of the skin
2. Ensure you have sufficient vitamin D
3. Invest in a humidifier to maintain optimum indoor moisture content
4. Supplement with vitamin c
5. Adjust your sleep pattern to maintain a healthy circadian rhythm

With the right adjustments to your skincare routine and your lifestyle, you can enjoy healthy, radiant skin all year round.