Contrary to popular belief, autumn and the beginning of winter are often harder for the skin than January and February. Dry skin, chapped lips and lots of harsh gusts of wind to the face strip skin of its natural moisture barrier leaving your face feeling frozen and tight. It’s during autumn that you’ll notice the drop in humidity and difference in your skin the most. Sufferers of eczema and psoriasis find this time of year the worst for skin flare-ups.
Extremes are very damaging for your skin. Most people live in a constantly heated environment during the winter months and go from a heated home to a heated office. This can seriously dehydrate and age the skin. Nasal passages and throats can become parched especially upon waking, which can trigger sore throats and colds. Skin is the largest organ of immunity to disease so it’s important to take care of it, both on the inside and the outside.
Eating the right foods
Unlike the other organs, the skin is replaced regularly —every 20 days on average. What you eat or don’t eat has a major effect on its ability to renew and perform. Nutritionist Angela Steel has the following advice on diet for this winter: “The cold is not the cause for dry, chapped skin —it just aggravates a condition which can often reflect some missing nutrients in the diet. The good news, however, is that a few nutritional changes can reverse these problems on a deeper level.
“The main causes for dry skin are dehydration, lack of essential fats, and poor collagen health. Collagen makes up around 70 per cent of the skin. Vitamin C plays a vital role in its formation, and its flexibility can reduce over time due to damage caused by free radicals. Antioxidants such as vitamins A, C and E, and selenium can all help reverse this process and give your skin the elasticity it needs. Zinc is also very important for skin cells and their renewal.
“During the winter, we tend to drink less water and feel more inclined towards cups of tea or coffee, which both dehydrate the skin,” Angela continues.
“Make sure you drink at least two litres of water a day (in the winter, you might want to make up at least part of that with warming herbal teas, such as Neal’s Yard Winter Tea). Eat plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables, especially those high in antioxidants, such as pomegranates and berries. Eat carrots and green leafy vegetables for vitamin A.
“Oily fish, nuts and seeds (such as flax or pumpkin) are good for extra omega 3. Also, if you fancy them, oysters are good for their high zinc content.
“It is worth taking a good all-round multivitamin and mineral supplement to top up the levels of healthy nutrients.”
Quick Tips
- Keep your distance from direct heat sources such as natural and gas fires.
- Place a humidifier or wet, wrung-out towel on your radiators at night.
- Always use a moisturiser with an SPF. In winter the sun’s still powerful, even though you can’t feel it!
- Turn the central heating down a notch or two – it’s better for your skin.
- Keep exposed bits like the hands and face protected with gloves and scarves.
- Gently exfoliate your lips weekly with a wet toothbrush. Follow with a nutritious lip balm.
- For particularly dry skin on hands and feet – slather on lots of moisturiser at night and slip on cotton socks and gloves.
- Rub a little Badger Winter Wonder Balm on your chest – it’s excellent for parched, sore throats and blocked noses.
- For dry nails, give yourself a home-made oil “hand bath” of olive and almond oil mixed with a little warm water.
Caring Creams for Winter
Saaf Organic Ultimate Moisture Serum
Delicious ingredients such as pomegranate and rosehip make up this antioxidant packed oil. Deeply moisturising, it’s made up of high quality, organic ingredients which help to restore suppleness to dry and ageing skin. It’s also beneficial for skin-tone and pigmentation problems. Rub between your fingers before applying – a little goes a long way.
Dream Cream from Lush
Lush have packed in “every essential oil that does the skin good” and it shows! As soon as you open the pot you’re hit with a blast of wonderful scent. This moisturiser is handy – and unique – in that it’s for both hands and face. Quick and effective it makes your skin feel supple, soft and smooth.
Egyptian Magic
The great and the good of Hollywood have this as their cream of choice. There is a lot of skin care know-how in this little pot and it includes healing ingredients like Royal Jelly and pollen. It’s an all-purpose cream, even said to be good for bruising. Deeply healing and nourishing, it resembles coconut oil. Rub into your palms and massage it into your face at night – giving it time to penetrate your skin.
Halo
This moisturiser is light, highly effective and easily absorbed. It’s ethically sourced and winner of the Vegetarian Society award and HMC approved. It’s also ethically sourced so you can rest assured that this product will be kind to the environment as well as to your skin. It’s ideal for anyone with very sensitive skin and who wants to avoid parabens, artificial colours and preservatives.
Stockists
Love Lula – the organic apothecary (www.lovelula.com)
Bath and Unwind (www.bathandunwind.co.uk)
Saaf pure skin care (www.saafpureskincare.com)
Halo pure and natural skincare (www.haloskincare.com)
