Article: Your Ultimate Hydration Guide - How to keep your skin glowing in colder months
Your Ultimate Hydration Guide - How to keep your skin glowing in colder months
The cold reality - prioritise your skin's hydration
You've probably noticed - the cold weather can turn our skin into a parched desert! With central heating and car heating on at full blast - It's screaming for hydration, so you need to quench its thirst.
1. Let's start with cleansing
Why, is this so important in the winter months? Yes, it's. basic start but you have to the right start before you move onto the other steps. First question in my skin consultations with my clients "does your skin feel tight or dry after cleansing" if yes, then you're using something too stripping.
Consider skin barrier friendly ones like - Byoma melting balm cleanser £14.99 Breaking down makeup and grime, not your skin barrier.
Our skin loves and needs lipids during the cooler months, Medik8 Lipid - balance cleansing oil £29.00 is a firm favourite.
The gentle lipids mimic and replenish the skin's natural defence barrier, use this if you'd like supple, refreshed, radiant and moisturised skin. Gentle cleansing is essential routine setter without stripping away the good stuff and maintaining hydration levels.
2. Lock in moisture with a Serum
Follow up your cleanse with a hydrating serum to add moisture to the skin - to avoid dryness throughout and improves moisture retention. Remember hydrated skin is healthy skin, team your skin up like a champ with Medik 8's HYDR8 B5™ Liquid Rehydration Serum £45 a deeply hydrating, crystal-clear serum that sinks in quickly to flood the skin with moisture.
Alternatively, if you don't mind a bit of snail trail then COSRX Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence £21.99 the serum improves the skin's vitality by reducing dullness and soothing dehydrated skin with snail mucin!
3. Secure and seal that moisture!
One of the last steps of maintaining optimal moisture levels is to seal the moisture in. Using a moisturiser and a facial oil on top will help prevent against any transepidermal water loss and keep the skin supple throughout the day.
Dermaquest Essential Moisturizer £76 a little on the pricey side, but, I have used this brand for 10 years and a little goes a long way, it has advanced ingredients like mdi complex® for lasting hydration and matrixyl™ to improve skin tone and texture. Aloe and hyaluronic acid hydrate and soothe the skin.
Not forgetting the last steps before your sunscreen goes on, the facial oil! One of my favourite rituals, being brought up in an asian household I'd love the massaging part, if you light weight facials with actives then Rule of Plum Brightening face oil £29 is your go to. A botanical-rich formula is packed with fatty acids, tyrosinase inhibitors, and Vitamin C (5%) to prevent further discoloration.
Let’s get crafty - a few DIY skin saviours
From Your Kitchen to Your Skin:
- Honey & Yogurt Mask: Mix these kitchen superheroes for a homemade hydrating mask.
- Avocado Oil: A few drops can work wonders as a natural moisturizer.
Life’s Little Helpers:
- Humidifiers: These are like secret agents battling dry indoor air, keeping your skin happy.
- Warm, Not Scalding Showers: Hot showers might feel great, but they suck moisture from your skin. Opt for lukewarm instead.
Wrapping It Up
Remember, winter skincare isn’t just about products; it’s a daily routine of showing your skin some love and about preventative measures. By keeping it hydrated and nourished, you're skin will be nourished all winter.
Share your favourite winter skincare tips in the comments and let's keep our skin glowing and radiant!