Three Tricks To Rehydrate And Revive Dry Skin Right Now
The cocktail of blisteringly cold temperatures outside and Caribbean climates inside (depending on how liberal you are with your thermostat) can wreak havoc with how your skin looks and feels. When you add a handful of festive parties and late nights to the weather woes, your skin is likely to be left feeling dry and potentially a little sensitised.
We’re not about to give you a lecture on how important it is to be consistent with your products – although we do recommend following our winter skincare routine.
Instead, we have three very helpful tips that will help get your skin back on track ASAP.
How Winter Can Affect Your Skin
From cold, windy weather to hot heaters blasting in your face, the winter air tends to suck the moisture out of our skin, making it feel dry and sensitive. “Winter can be quite harsh on your skin for a number of reasons,” says Dr. David Jack. “Alcohol can dehydrate it significantly, and also impinge on your sleep which in turn impacts your complexion.”
“The change in weather can make your skin more sensitive, particularly with it being exposed to cold then hot, dry central heating,” adds Dr. Jack. “You’re also more likely to wear more makeup, which can cause issues with pores and irritation so adds to this sensitivity.” If this all sounds familiar, read on to discover our three speedy tricks to revive your skin and get it back on track.
How To Soothe Your Skin This Winter
If your skin is feeling dry, itchy and irritated, it's worth employing at least one if not all three of these tips.
Focus On Hydration
Even those with oily skin benefit from an extra dose of hydration during the winter months. Ingredients like ceramides, squalane and hyaluronic acid help to nourish, as well as strengthen your skin barrier.
“Hyaluronic acid works by drawing water molecules to the upper levels of the skin to help hydrate and smooth the texture of the skin,” explains Dr. Jack.
Simple swaps like using a cleansing balm rather than a foam or lotion can make a big difference. We love Then I Met You Living Cleansing Balm, £14.00 at this time of year when our skin is feeling dry and stripped. A hydrating hyaluronic serum, such as The Ordinary Multi-peptide + Ha Serum, £15.90, is a winter skincare must-have for all skin types.
Using a nourishing moisturiser like Drunk Elephant Bora Barrier Repair Cream, £64.00 will help to lock in hydration and strengthen your skin barrier. We recommend using this in the AM and PM to help soothe and repair dry skin.
Always Remove Your Makeup At Night
'Tis the season when even the most diligent people jump into bed without removing their makeup sometimes. We've all been there, but it is a mistake.
“Don't fall into bed with your make-up on no matter how tired you are,” says beauty expert and founder of Votary, Arabella Preston. “Be strict with yourself about double cleansing as your skin will look and feel so much better if you are vigilant about cleaning it properly.”
Opt for a cleansing balm or oil, like Dr. Dennis Gross Vitamin C Creamy Lactic Cleansing Oil, £42.00, as these remove makeup and are gentle on your skin. Dr Dennis Gross’ latest offering is infused with vitamin C to help boost tired-looking skin too.
When you wake up the next morning, your skin will be grateful you put in the extra time to cleanse and moisturise. You can follow up with a more in-depth routine the morning with a good vitamin C to brighten the skin. We love Medik8 C-Tetra Lipid C Radiance Serum, £42.00 for that instant skin-boosting brightness.
Embrace Multi-Masking
In between the festive gatherings and Christmas parties, it's essential to recharge your batteries and take some 'me time'. For us, the perfect evening includes indulging in our favourite foods and doing an over-the-top skincare routine.
A good hydrating face mask, like Summer Fridays Jet Lag Mask, £26.00, can top up moisture levels and help restore your skin barrier.
Your skin might also reap the benefits of an exfoliating face mask, like MZ SKIN Cleanse & Clarify Dual Action AHA Cleanser & Mask, £65.00, to get rid of dry, dead skin.
Depending on how your skin feels, why not use the hydrating mask on your cheeks and the exfoliating formula on your T-zone. Using multiple masks in different areas will help repair and replenish your skin.
Our Final Word On Winter-Proofing Your Skin
While this is the season to have fun and let loose, we recommend giving your skin some TLC when it starts to feel dry and tight.
The cold weather and late nights can take their toll. Making sure your products are packed full of nourishing ingredients and always taking your makeup off can make a huge difference. Multi-masking is a speedy way of repairing and replenishing your skin, as well as strengthening your skin barrier.
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