Winter skin survival by Julia Hart

Winter cold can bring about many changes in the way your skin looks and feels. The lack of moisture in the air outside and inside will take its toll on your skin's moisture levels. How well your skin copes all depends on your skin's ability to retain healthy water levels, which keeps the surface looking smooth and flake free. We all have a protective lipid barrier that is designed to keep moisture in and irritants out! As we age though and through environmental changes, this becomes weaker - leading to dehydrated, sensitive and drier skins.

Winter cold and central heating will definitely weaken your skin's barrier function; leaking vital moisture and making your skin feel tight, itchy, dry and flaky!

If you find your skin takes a hit in winter, then fear not there are many steps you can take to prevent the winter onslaught to your skin, here are my tips to keep your skin smooth, glowing and soft.

1 Invest in a humidifier. Low humidity is the cause of most weather-related dry skin, whether it is winter or a desert environment. Keep them in the rooms you spend most of your time in, definitely the bedroom! Central heating is your skin's enemy; it literally leaches water from your skin! So a humidifier is an essential piece of kit for winter skin survival!

2. Use moisturising and hydrating masks 2 - 3 times a week. If your skin is on the dry side anyway use a creamy based mask, if your skin is generally oilier/combination then opt for a gel hydrating mask, as oily skin can still be very dehydrated. My favourites are Skinceuticals Hydrating B5 Mask, and Dermalogica Multivitamin Power Recovery Mask, remove with a hand hot flannel.

3. Tweak your products to how your skin is feeling. You can opt for a creamier cleanser; I like Jan Marini Age Intervention Gentle Cleanser. Also you can opt for a slightly richer moisturiser- Jan Marini Transformation Cream, and add in some hydrating spritzer toners to your routine - Dermalogica Antioxidant Hydramist. Look for brilliantly formulated products that are brimming with antioxidants, moisture locking ingredients and peptides. There is a whole host of hydrating super serums and gels that can plump and protect the skin with ingredients like Hyaluronic Acid - Intraceuticals Daily Serum is a real treat for the skin. But don't change just for the sake of it; some people may not notice any significant changes in the winter due to having a very strong skin barrier.

4. Eat Essential Fatty Acids. I encourage my clients to take these all year round, as the results can take up to 3-4 months to show. EFA's are essential for life and we need to take them from a dietary source as our body cannot make them. Our skin needs them as well to form our protective lipid barrier that helps keep moisture in our skin, so supplementing this can make a big difference to your skin. I recommend Udo's Choice Oil which has a balanced ration of Omega 3.6.9.

5. Apply gentle exfoliation. Do not scrub your skin; you can't scour away dryness you will only make it worse. Scrubbing creates tiny tears on the surface of the skin impairing its ability to keep water where it needs to be. Opt for gentle micro-polishers that gently dissolve superficial dead skin cells and aid your moisturiser to penetrate. I recommend Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant, perfect for all skin types.

6. Dont forget your Lips. Lips are not good at coping when the air is dry and cold. They lack the oils and skin structure the rest of the face has and, as a result, are far more vulnerable to chapping and cracking during the winter. Opt for products that contain Shea Butter, Beeswax and natural plant oils, as these will effectively hydrate your lips - avoid any petroleum/mineral oil based products as these will only form a barrier, your lips will still feel dry underneath!! Also use glosses during the day to keep your lips moisturised - Mineralogie Lip glosses contain natural plant oils and vitamin E to keep your lips colourful and hydrated.

7. Book a Facial Treatment. Getting regular facials can make a significant difference to how your skin looks and feels and also keeps on top of ongoing skin concerns like winter skin dryness. In a professional treatment we can use higher strength serums and special technology to speed up results and problem solve skin concerns. My favourite for winter skin dehydration is the O2 Intraceuticals Oxygen Rejuvenation Infusion which pushes a Hyaluronic Acid based serum (which is known as a super moisturiser!) deep into the skin, repairing a damaged skin barrier and plumping and firming the skin, perfect for pre-party skin. I am also a fan of applying Paraffin wax to the face for an ultra rehydrating effect with the warm melted wax.

8. Apply Hand Cream Liberally. Because hands are subject to intense cleansing agents all day long they struggle the most with dry skin. You must be diligent about applying and reapplying handcream every time you wash your hands. Don't forget to keep a hand cream in your handbag, at your desk, and in every bathroom in your home, I am a fan of Liz Earle's Hand Treatment.

9. Avoid soaking in the bathtub, Jacuzzi, or taking long showers. As lovely as a bath or shower feels, too much water is bad for skin. Inundating skin with water breaks down the substances that keep skin cells intact and weakens the barrier function. Keep showers or baths short, especially during the winter. Use plant based bath oils that cling to skin so you can massage them in afterwards.

10. Avoid harsh chemicals. Things to avoid are detergent based soaps, harsh toners with Alcohol or menthol and Camphor, over exfoliation and over cleansing!!

Please contact Julia if you need further help with your skin - info@juliahart.co.uk . You can shop online for some of the mentioned products above at www.shop.juliahart.co.uk.

10 December 2010