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Restore Winter Skin

Restore Winter Skin

There cannot be many amongst us, that don’t find our skin does not look as good during Winter, as it does in the Summer months. The long nights and the cold temperatures mean that most of us spend more time inside; getting less sunlight and fresh air, as well as being less active, and in centrally heated homes.

These lifestyle changes, mixed with the effects of the cold weather, can affect our health and skin. The great news is that there are lots of easy simple things that we can do to protect and restore our winter skin. We look at the top 3 skin concerns, and the best simple ways to alleviate them.

Dry & Irritated Skin

Sometimes dry or irritated skin is caused by conditions such as Psoriasis or Eczema, but it can be something that affects anyone. Sensitive skin is one of the most common skin complaints that we hear about. Dry and irritated skin can be an issue for everyone during the Winter months, as the humidity level drops. When the air is cold and dry, it affects the hydration of skin, because the water within skin evaporates faster. Heating systems also cause the air to become drier, plus the wind and cold are harsh on skin and can cause it to become red and delicate. The result of this can be dry, sensitive, flaky or irritated skin.

The best way to alleviate it is to firstly protect skin when possible with gloves, scarfs and hats; and secondly by keeping heating down to a minimum.  The issue can be dramatically helped by effective skin cleansing, and moisturising. For body cleansing, use a really mild cleanser, followed by a body cream or body Oil. As our faces are always being exposed they take the brunt of effects, they need extra care. Use a really hydrating cleanser and toner system, such as our Nakin Advanced Cleansing Milk and Purifying Face Toner combination. They clean beautifully, but without stripping skin and putting it out of balance. One of the best ways to soothe skin is using a face oil. The Nakin Revitalising Face Oil has been carefully formulated to offer superb hydration; as well as calming and soothing skin, to restore and bring life back. A face oil can bring instant relief to troubled skin, and they are essential in Winter time. Always use a good moisturiser like our Matt Formula Face Cream for normal/ oily skin, or the Active Dew Face Cream for normal/dry skin. Then treat the skin around eyes to our Eye Cream Complex.

Chapped lips

The cold dry air can cause lips to become chapped and uncomfortable, which is never a great look. The way to overcome it is through protection and therapy. Protect lips when it is really cold or windy outside with a scarf, and apply a product as required, and always before going out. Try our Lip Treatment Balm to really help dry lips. It is Petrolatum free and 100% natural. Its superb barrier properties come from Beeswax, and the softening and nourishing properties come entirely from the other natural ingredients including Shea, Baobab and Argan.

Lacklustre Skin

Most of us find that our skin looks worse during Winter, as we lose the glow of Summer. All of us will also notice that skin tends to look more jaded as part of the ageing process. The good news it is easy to banish dull skin using natural skincare products. Do a gentle exfoliation cleanse when removing cleansing lotion, use a damp luke warm muslin cloth in small circular movements. This allows topical creams and lotions to then be able to absorb better and work as effectively as possible. Effective skin cleansing also removes dead skin cells to keep it looking fresh and alive. Follow with a face treatment such as our Performance Face Serum. The freshly exfoliated skin is the perfect base to receive the optimum benefits from the topical serum. The powerful actives in our serum include Hibiscus, Hyaluronic Acid and Green Tea to really bring skin back to life.

Diet can really help to improve the look of skin. Drink plenty of water, as well as an array of colourful fruits and vegetables, nuts and oily fish. There’s a lot of research into how gut health affects our skin, so look into trying a probiotic supplement.

A great way to enjoy Winter and help to look and feel good, is to get out in the daylight as much as possible, and especially in the middle of the day. Daylight activates the release of hormones in our brain including Serotonin, which as well as boosting moods, also helps us to feel calm. We all look better when we feel good, but stress actually has a detrimental effect on skin. Stress sparks the Cortisol hormone, and Cortisol breaks down lovely Collagen and weakens the skin barrier; which causes reduced cell turnover and water loss for washed out skin. Help to remedy this by being active in daylight as much as possible.

There are so many things that we can do to restore our winter skin, like the suggestions below.

Restoring Your Skin from the Effects of Winter

Winter weather can wreak havoc on our skin, leaving it dry, dull and irritated. The cold temperatures and harsh winds can strip our skin of its natural moisture, making it look and feel unhealthy. But fear not, there are ways to restore your skin's vitality and keep it looking radiant even during the coldest months of the year.

Why Winter Weather Affects Our Skin

Our skin is our body's largest organ, and it acts as a protective barrier between us and the environment. During winter, the air becomes colder and drier, which can lead to dehydration and damage to our skin. Additionally, indoor heating systems also dry out the air inside our homes, further aggravating the problem. When our skin is exposed to these harsh conditions, it tries to compensate by producing more oils, which can clog pores and lead to breakouts.

Tips for Restoring Your Skin

Drinking plenty of water during winter is crucial for keeping your skin hydrated from the inside out. Aim for at least eight glasses of water a day, and consider incorporating hydrating foods into your diet, such as fruits and vegetables with high water content like cucumbers, tomatoes, and melons.

Just because it's winter doesn't mean you can skip the sunscreen. The sun's UV rays can still damage your skin, even on cloudy days. Use sunscreen to exposed areas before heading outside. Covering skin up is the best way to protect skin from the cold weather. Don't forget the highly exposed areas like hands and ears.

Using good gentle cleansers, treatments and moisturisers like ours can be a godsend for healing and protecting our skin. Don't forget about the lips as dry, cracked lips are a common winter woe. To keep your lips hydrated and soft, apply our lip balm multiple times throughout the day. Avoid licking your lips, as this can actually make them drier.

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