Winter can be an exciting time. With the season’s festivities, snow-white parks, children building snowmen, and lots of good food to enjoy. But, how do the colder months affect our skin?

This article explains how your skin suffers during winter and what you can do to ensure you stay looking radiant and youthful. The last thing you want is the Christmas Grinch wreaking havoc on your beloved skin.

How winter affects your skin

The winter months bring with them harsh environmental conditions that disrupt your skin.

Here are some of the ways your skin will be affected this winter:

• Dryness – Colder air holds less moisture, leading to decreased humidity levels that can strip the skin of its natural oils, leaving it feeling dry and tight. If you encounter strong cold winds, this can exacerbate dryness further by cracking the outermost skin layer.
  
  This effect is compounded when you move from cold, dry air outside to dry hot air indoors from artificial heating, which can strip your skin of its natural moisture and cause flakiness.
  
  Dry and flaky skin causes irritation, which disturbs your skin further.
  
  
• Lack of Natural Radiance -Reduced sunlight exposure can make your skin look dull and lifeless. This is partly because of reduced vitamin D levels, which is essential for healthy skin. Vitamin D supports wound healing, reduces inflammation, and supports immune function, all of which are vital to your skin.
  
  
• Chapping and Cracking -Lips are particularly vulnerable in winter, frequently becoming chapped or cracked if not looked after properly.
  
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10 Tips for vibrant skin in winter

1. Hydrate – Drink plenty of water. It’s common to drink less water during the winter because we sweat less, but healthy skin and our wider health depends on high levels of hydration. It is easy to underestimate hydration’s impact, but it is significant.
   
   This effect is pronounced if your alcohol consumption increases during the festive period, which is fairly common. Alcohol is a diuretic, meaning that it causes you to urinate more, causing dehydration.
   
   Hydrating your skin directly is also important. Start with a water-based serum containing hyaluronic acid. Apply it before your moisturiser.
   
   Opt for a thicker moisturiser that allows your skin to absorb moisture throughout the day. Specifically, find a cream that contains ingredients like ceramides, hyaluronic acid, or glycerin. 
   
   
2. Apply sunscreen – This may feel counterintuitive because you associate sunscreen to holidays away on a sunny beach, but actually, the sun’s harmful UV rays are forever present and gradually wear down your skin.
   
   Sunny days during winter months are not uncommon, especially if you are on a skiing trip. The snow reflects the sun’s rays more intensely and it can stealthily harm your skin.
   
   That said, wear sunscreen and opt for factor 30 or above.
   
   
3. Invest in a humidifier –  Indoor heating dries out the air, and with it, your skin. A humidifier can replenish moisture in your environment, helping to combat dryness. Place one in your bedroom to keep your skin hydrated while you sleep.
   
   
4. Be gentle when cleansing – Opt for a mild cleanser that does not contain alcohol, which will compromise your skin’s natural protective barrier and dehydrate your skin, causing dryness and irritation. 
   
   
5. Exfoliate, but not often – As your skin dries out during the winter, you will want to remove dead and flaky skin, but don’t over do it. Your skin is more sensitive and prone to becoming irritated. Use a milder exfoliate like lactic acid, but no more than once or twice per week.
   
   Alternatively, opt for a facial peel treatment once or twice during the winter months and focus on keeping your skin hydrated the rest of the time.
   
   
6. Protect your lips – Dry, chapped lips are common in winter. Use a natural balm containing shea butter or beeswax as a barrier against the harsh, cold winds. Avoid licking your lips too often as this exacerbates the condition.
   
   
7. Invest in night care for your skin – Night time presents a great opportunity to rejuvenate your skin. You can apply an overnight mask to lock moisture in, so you are ready to take on the harsh winter conditions of tomorrow.
   
   Consider applying facial oils containing argan or rosehip, which seal in moisture that can be absorbed gradually while you sleep. They are superb at giving your skin a natural glow.
   
   
8. Don’t neglect your hands and body – It is easy to focus on your face and forget the rest of your body, but your hands bear the brunt of the winter, so make sure to invest in some warm, windproof gloves, and a scarf to protect your neck.
   
   Make sure to moisturise your hands and body with a good shea butter that contains natural oils and moisture. Your hands and body are less sensitive than your face, so you can apply richer formulas to keep them hydrated and smooth.
   
   
9. Feed your skin – Your diet plays a crucial role in maintaining your skin’s natural protective barrier. Consume foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids like walnuts (cake doesn’t count) and salmon, and antioxidants like berries, spinach and carrots.
   
   Smoothies are a great way to get a burst of antioxidants, but don’t over do them. Eating fruits directly ensures you don’t over consume natural sugars because the fibre content limits how much you can eat.
   
   
10. Address specific skin concerns – The winter months see skin conditions like eczema and rosacea in full throttle. If you suffer from such conditions, seek professional treatment. There are three ways to approach this.
    
    
    1. Doctor or physician – Medical professionals can provide a diagnosis and medication to treat any active conditions or infections. They are normally free on the NHS.
       
       
    2. Dermatologists – Dermatologists specialise in skin related concerns on a medical level. They too can provide a diagnosis and treat serious skin conditions. Dermatologists can be accessed on the NHS, but not for all conditions. They are generally accessed for severe conditions.
       
       
    3. Aesthetic treatment clinic – Clinics like Opulent Aesthetics provide injectable treatments that focus on improving your skin naturally over time. We have a wide range of treatments, including microneedling, facial peels, skin boosters and wrinkle treatments that keep your skin looking youthful and radiant, whatever the weather.
       
       

Final thoughts

Winter doesn’t have to mean compromised skin. You can enjoy the festive season and still look great just by adjusting your routine to accommodate the changing environment.

More than this, you can give your skin a healthy head start by booking Opulent Aesthetics facial treatments that keep your skin looking and feeling radiant. Our skin boosters, microneedling and facial peels are perfect for ensuring your skin always looks its best, and your friends will wonder how you manage to look so vibrant in the cold, dark, winter months.

So, don’t hold back, the winter is not a time to hibernate, it’s a time to rejuvenate. Book a session today.