The cold weather is fast approaching, and indoor heating is soon to be in full force; It’s only a matter of time before this starts to cause havoc to our skin. Enters: extra dryness, flakiness, dehydration and dullness.
Luckily, we’ve got a few skin hacks under our belts to winter-proof your skincare routine and keep your complexion happy, healthy and radiant all season long.
1. Focus on your skin barrier.
The health of your skin barrier is important - so important that if compromised you may experience itchiness, extra sensitivity, tightness, or all of the above. The health of your skin barrier may be triggered by culprits such as sun damage, using harsh beauty products that strip vital hydration from the skin, overusing active ingredients or extreme temperature changes (thanks, Winter).
To support your skin barrier, look out for soothing and nourishing skincare products that deliver hydration and comfort. Our top pick? Ultra B² Hydrating Serum, enriched with Hyaluronic Acid to provide immediate and lasting hydration to the skin. You may layer this serum with your favourite moisturiser for optimal support.
2. Exfoliate weekly.
Exfoliation is key to minimising dullness, coarse texture, dry patches and flakiness (all the Winter skin havoc). Look out for AHAs, particularly Lactic Acid which gently and thoroughly exfoliates the skin to achieve a smoother, more refined complexion.
Our experts recommend incorporating this step two or three times per week. For those with sensitive skin, you may limit this to once per week. Don’t neglect your body care too; Ultra Retexturising Body Complex is a great one for exfoliating the body while also nourishing the skin with hydration. You’ll be glowing all over.
3.Turn down the water temperature.
We know it’s tempting - especially when it’s freezing out, but scorching hot water may dry out your skin and strip it of its natural oils. We recommend dialling down the hot water in the shower or when you are cleansing your skin to a lukewarm temperature. This will ensure your skin is left feeling refreshed and comforted, ready for your line-up of skincare products to follow.
4. Add a weekly face mask to your skincare routine.
There’s nothing we love more than a little extra skin TLC - and we never look past a face mask. A hydrating face mask, like our Ultra Replenishing Mask and Ultra B2 Hydrating Mask, is essential for relieving dryness and dehydration while providing instant comfort and nourishment to the skin.
For optimal results, we suggest applying your favourite hydrating face mask two or three times per week to complement your skincare routine and boost your results.
5. Always apply SPF.
You (should) already know this. Sunscreen is a non-negotiable - and not reserved solely for Summer. UVA rays exist all year round so apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen to protect your skin, daily.
If you need an extra reminder to wear your sunscreen, read our blog: 5 SPF Rules To Live By.
*Always follow the directions for use. Sunscreens form only one part of sun protection. Apply frequently as directed for effective sun protection. Avoid prolonged sun exposure.
