The effects of autumn and winter on the skin

Autumn and winter bring changes in humidity level and temperature which can cause changes in our skin. Here are our tips and hints to help our skin weather the effects of cold, wind and central heating.

Skin can often dehydrate as the weather changes, and it gets drier and drier the harsher it gets! As a result, the disrupted pH and impaired skin barrier can often create a viscous circle leading to more sensitive skin. So what can help combat common winter skin problems?

• Keep exfoliating twice a week to reduce a build-up of dead skin, but ensure the exfoliation is GENTLE if the skin is dry. Wash away dead skin cells with a gentle cleanser or mild exfoliant, which works without stripping the healthy skin barrier.

• Hydration: Keep skin hydrated and maintain the barrier with a non comodogenic HUMECTANT moisturiser (one which does not clog pores). Stick to fragrance free products to reduce irritation.

• Reduce central heating at home to reduce skin dryness.

• Drinking 2 litres of filtered water per day is an essential way to protect against skin dehydration.

• Avoid cosmetics that contain drying alcohol in them!

• If skin is very dry, consider a ceramide containing product. You can also use a hydrating night mask once a week.

• Apply SPF everyday no matter the weather (yes even in winter, come rain sun or snow!) As long as there is day light, there are UV rays which can cause damage to skin cells. They can even penetrate our windows so ensure SPF 30 or above is a regular part of the routine all year round!

• Vitamin C serum is particularly nourishing and helps combat oxidative stress from the environment, highly recommended for autumn months. Keep it medical grade for purity and efficacy. This goes on before any other creams.

• Spritz: When skin feels tight or dry, spritzing the face with a hydrating spritz of diluted rose water is lovely!

• Lips often get dry, chapped and flaky. Hydrate them (add sunblock on them too)! After using a cloth to gently buff away dead skin, moisturise with balms that contains natural waxes and oils to repair and protect.

• Hands: Don’t forget your hands! They produce less oil than the face and are often exposed so can suffer with dryness. Even more so with all the necessary handwashing at present. Use a nourishing and enriching hand cream.

• Retinol: autumn/winter is a great time to get retinol in your skincare routine if not already part of your regime! With less strong sunlight, the risk of sun exposure causing inflammation to peeling skin is reduced during winter (retinol can cause initial peeling). Retinol is a great way to speed up skin cell renewal in the treatment of acne, atrophic scarring, hyperpigmentation, and ageing skin. Maintain good hydration if using retinol.