The Skin Nerd: Six ways to get your skin ready for winter
Jennifer Rock: "While a whole new regime is not necessary, a few tweaks and a couple of deeply hydrating, restorative products can make all the difference."
Is your skin ready for winter? We may be more than used to changeable temperatures but there’s something about the onslaught of winter that makes many of us want to stock up, stay in, and hibernate!
The reality is, we have to brace the elements and need to equip ourselves with a winter skincare kit that can keep your complexion content and balanced throughout the unsettled months.
While a whole new regime is not necessary, a few tweaks and a couple of deeply hydrating, restorative products can make all the difference, so here are six of the best ways to prep your skin for the season ahead:
Feelings of discomfort are thought to be exacerbated during the winter if you suffer from common winter side-effects such as transepidermal water loss (TEWL).
Many cream-based cleansers assist in supporting the skin’s natural moisturising factor, meaning that these can be the most comforting way to cleanse in the colder months.
Oily skin types don’t need to miss out either and can benefit from a richer, nourishing formula as long as it has been created for oily skin.
Continue to assist cell regeneration with regular exfoliation but opt for exfoliating acids, which tend to be more barrier respectful and actually more effective than gritty scrubs.
A great product for this is Ella & Jo Brighten & Glow Hydrating Exfoliating Cleanser (€32, boots.ie), which contains pumpkin fruit enzymes and grapeseed oil to boost cell renewal whilst providing additional moisture.
Moisture is essential for healthy skin and even more so in a season that can trigger dry patches.
To mitigate this, ensure that you include a hydrating serum within your regime.
Serums tend to contain a more potent level of actives than moisturisers but to get the benefit of both.
A good starting point is a serum containing hydrating ingredients such as hyaluronic acid and humectant properties like glycerin and niacinamide to bind moisture to the skin.
You can apply a rich moisturiser on top to seal it in, leaving your skin soft and comfortable.
A ceramide enriched moisturiser is ideal for your evening regime as topical ceramide replacement can help to reduce TEWL and support the skin immune cells, preparing the barrier for another day of facing the elements!
Growth factors are proteins present within the body and support the skin by telling the skin how to behave and helping with processes such as healing and maintaining structure.
Supporting these growth factors is especially important in winter, as they play a huge role in regenerating and rejuvenating the skin.
Give them a helping hand with The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors + PhytoCeramides (€20.48, boots.ie), which claims to boost skin hydration by 68%.
I know what you are thinking — where is the sun?
Unfortunately, UV damage can occur all year round, so SPF is your non-negotiable, year-round essential!
, is a super-gentle, hydrating cleanser that is ideal for reactive skin, which is likely suffering more than usual during the winter months. It’s suitable for anyone dealing with dermatitis, eczema and psoriasis. If your skin is feeling dry or uncomfortable, this milky, cleanser could be a perfect treat.
, featuring shea butter to calm irritated skin, this rich, indulgent moisturiser offers intensive nourishment for extra dry skin.
— This award-winning ceramide balm envelopes the skin in a creamy, dreamy hug, leaving it replenished instantly. It also contains avena sativa (oat) kernel extract — a clinically proven anti-irritant with antihistamine properties to soothe itching and irritation.
: This glow-boosting mask is enriched with a ‘3-Glow Complex’ containing two types of vitamin C to tackle the dullness of lacklustre winter skin. Apply and leave-on like a night cream to hydrate and brighten the complexion as you rest.
: A dermatologist and nurse practitioner recommended formula that claims to last through three handwashes to protect the skin on the hands from dryness. This soothing cream contains vitamin E, monoi oil and eucalyptus extract to lock in moisture and deeply nourish.
: Chapped lips are a common winter annoyance, so I recommend always keeping a hydrating product on hand for on-the-go nourishment. This stripped back lip balm offers a physical and biological barrier treatment to soothe and nourish the skin, preventing future chapping and keeping the lips supple.
Add a warm glow to winter skin with this cream bronzer from faux glow experts Bellamianta.
Created with a unique whipped formula, it blends into the skin seamlessly and includes moisture magnetising hyaluronic acid and meadowfoam seed oil for additional skin benefits.
This silky-smooth formula is a makeup artist favourite thanks to its ability to bestow the skin with an ultra-flattering, natural looking sunkissed glow.
Available in five shades, each bronzer is infused with Nars’ signature Monoï de Tahiti oil to lock in moisture and nourish.
