Winter weather takes its toll on our skin.  It is advisable to change our skincare routine in order to keep our skin hydrated, moisturized, and protected right through the colder months.  

Here are Soilse Pharmacy’s top ten tips for having winter-ready skin.

Moisturise                                                                                                                                                                                    In the winter, your skin may be drier and need some TLC. To get the best results from your moisturizing products, simply apply while your skin is still damp or straight after showering and washing. Blot your skin dry and apply a rich cream such as  La- Roche -Posay hydraphase rich HA 72-hour intense moisturiser. Products like this, containing hyaluronic acid are perfect for keeping the worst of the harsh winter from playing havoc with your skin. A humidifier in your home or office will restore moisture to the air and this will help to keep skin hydrated and moisturised.

Hydrate switch to hydrating cleansers​                                                                                                                Drink more water! Yes, even in the colder months we need to hydrate from the inside out, as much as we do from the outside in.Harsh cleansers and toners may need to be swopped with hydrating products as winter weather stirps the skin’s natural oils.Central heating can take its toll on our skin too. Gentle cleansing with a non-perfumed product is recommended if you suffer from severely dry skin.

Retinol /Vitamin A                                                                                                                                                  Winter is the perfect time to introduce retinol to your skincare regime. You will have heard of this wonder product as it speeds up skin cell turnover, unclog pores and lessens breakouts,  fades hyperpigmentation and does a great job of lessening fine lines and wrinkles. What is not to like? However, retinol can make skin sensitive and flaky if overused so check with our pharmacy staff if you have any questions.  An excellent serum for sensitive skin is the La Roche-Posay Retinol B serum, which sooths, smooths and nourishes aging skin, especially during winter and autumn. 

Hyaluronic acid                                                                                                                                                                        Like retinol, hyaluronic acid is extremely useful during the colder months as it combats the worst effects of cold weather in drying out the skin and losing both hydration and oil. Hyaluronic acid serum helps you achieve the smooth skin, heals abrasions, has anti-wrinkle properties and is an antioxidant to keep skin looking younger.Use hyaluronic acid serum in winter and put your moisturiser on top for the best hydration.

Diet                                                                                                                                                                                              As always, a good diet, rich in vegetables, fruit, nuts, seeds and where you are drinking plenty of fluids will go a long way to keeping a healthy glow on your skin all year long. Grapefruits are rich in Vitamin A, C, minerals and antioxidants while carrots also have vitamin C, and antioxidants that helps your body produce collagen. The protein that's vital to maintain your skin's elasticity. While you may be swopping soups for salads, remember to eat well to look well.

Lips and eyes                                                                                                                                                                            Keep your lips soft and luscious with a good lip balm, or if you are old school, a healthy smear of Vaseline.The lips are one of the first victims of the cold wind and if you forget to protect them for even one day, you may suffer drying, cracking and chapping.Cold weather can also have a detrimental effect on your eyes as the weather causes the blood vessels to constrict. Dry eyes can be treated with over-the-counter products. Introduce some Omega 3 into your diet to improve your eye health.It’s a good idea to incorporate eye products into your regime, to protect the skin around your eyes during winter and if you are partaking in winter sports, wear sun glasses or goggles

Sunscreen                                                                                                                                                                            Even on grey winter day wear sunscreen. Sunscreen should be a staple part of your routine no matter the weather or time of year and it is just as important to use it in the winter.  The great news is that most sunscreen also has anti-ageing properties, so keep the UV rays out and the good stuff in!

Go easy on harsh scrub, use overnight treatments                                                                                                       In the winter months, over exfoliating with a harsh scrub can damage the skin barrier which becomes more sensitive due to the dry and cold weather.  You can still exfoliate the skin once a week as this helps in boosting skin regeneration and aids in better product absorption but take care not to strip moisture and oil.  Overnight treatments that will feed the skin are perfect for combatting the worst of the winter months and a spa night is always that bit more special in the glow of candlelight as the rain beats down outside.

Hands and Feet                                                                                                                                                    Don’t ignore your extremities when the weather is at its most extreme. Use a good luxurious hand cream and use it often.We recommend non-greasy hand cream and Nuxe have a perfect one with Honey, Precious Oils and Vitamin E that nourishes and repairs dry and damaged hands while protecting skin on the hands from premature ageing in stock.  A pedicure and some foot lotion will not go amiss as your feet are stuffed in boots and wooly socks.  You will be glad that you looked out for your toes as you expose them again next summer.

Exercise                                                                                                                                                                                    The be tempted to curl up under the blanket for the entire winter season. Hibernation is for bears! Exercise increases blood flow and helps nourish skin cells.  Blood carries oxygen and nutrients to working cells throughout the body, including the skin and it also helps carry away waste products, including free radicals, from working cells. Keep up an exercise regime no matter how enticing the duvet and tv looks.