Don’t let this winter be a dry one
As we fast approach dark nights and colder days, we will all be turning on the central heating, putting on the fire, turning the car heater on full blast in a morning and reaching for the comfort foods and that bar of chocolate and glass of wine in front of Strictly as we settle into winter.
But all of these things can have a serious effect on your skin as they all contribute to reducing the natural moisture levels of your skin that leads to dehydration, roughness and flaking. In addition to causing skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis to flare up.
A common mistake we all make…
As our skin becomes drier, it’s only natural that we want to turn to heavier richer moisturisers to get our skin feeling lovely and soft again, but this can actually have a negative effect in the long run, as all we are doing is tricking the skin to think it has adequate moisture levels, which in turn then stops our skin’s natural moisturising process, which causes yet more dehydration and your skin feels drier quicker, so you apply yet more heavy cream to combat the dryness and so the problem continues.
So what should you do? The answer is to still use your Environ AVST or C-Quence moisturiser, but supplement them with other products that help to give your skin the nutrients it requires to increase the space between your skin cells with water and therefore boost your hydration levels.
The products I use alongside my AVST Moisturiser in winter are Focus Hydrating Serum that I use when my skin is dehydrated – apply a few drops onto your skin before applying your AVST or C-Quence moisturiser.
I also use Hydrating Oil Capsules that I apply when my skin feels tight and dry. You can apply these over the top of your moisturiser in the evening, but they are also great as a pre-party treat for the skin.
If my skin becomes really dry or flaky I use Super + Moisturiser, you can apply this over the top of your AVST or C-Quence moisturiser
Resist the temptation to scrub…
If your skin does become dry and flaky I know it’s tempting to reach for an exfoliator to get rid of that dull layer, but don’t be hasty to scrub.
When we exfoliate we remove the skin’s fine protective layer which means water can escape easier which can lead to the skin becoming stressed as it tries to replenish the moisture levels quicker and quicker.
A couple of great alternatives I recommend and use myself are Environ’s Alpha Hydroxy Cream which smooths and refines the surface of the skin, or Derma-Lac Lotion which helps to boost hydration levels – just add a few drops to your Environ moisturiser each day.
Get some good fats in your diet…
There’s nothing I like more than a bit of comfort food in winter, but make sure you focus on increasing your healthy fats such as nuts, seeds, oily fish and avocados – in fact you can’t beat a smoked salmon bagel with avocado as a weekend treat.
By increasing your good fats you will help to increase the health of your protective layer of skin and prevent water loss helping to keep good levels of hydration.
As part of all skincare routines I would recommend supplementing your diet with an omega supplement, I take 1 Skin Omegas+ every day at breakfast, but if your skin feels particular dry up the dose to 2 or 3 a day.
If you need any further help or advice to get your skin in great shape this winter and glowing for the party season, don’t hesitate to contact me.
Love the skin you’re in!
Katherine x
Links to products I have referenced
