There are several very good reasons as to why it's important to moisturise our skin in the winter. Regular moisturising helps with the protective skin barrier; this not only improves the look of our skin but also prevents skin damage, blemishes and, more seriously, infections. With the effects of a harsher external environment during the winter months, our skin can be depleted of natural oils even more quickly as a result of being exposed to much colder and dryer air. It is therefore very important to moisturise in the winter.
Best moisturisers for the face:
Whether your skin has a tendency to be dry or oily, a good hydrating daily moisturiser. Use the Daily Moisture Pot from SkinCeuticals for oily skin or Emollience for Dry/Normal skin. Both will improve your look, giving a plump youthful appearance and providing a great barrier to the winter elements. Apply whilst the skin is slightly damp and this will help lock in the moisture. Always moisturise the face and neck area twice a day in the winter.
The best moisturisers for the face can depend not only upon skin type, but upon environment too. A water-based product is good for use in high altitudes or cold and dry climates. Alternatively, a lightweight pore minimising vitamin E and nutrient-rich oily cream, will help moisturise the skin in the winter.
Also recommended is a gel textured product, used as a complement for the daily face moisturising routine. This product is particularly recommended for use with Vitamin C skincare products, as it helps bind moisture to the skin. Enriched with Vitamin B5 it provides an essential nutrient that promotes the skins natural repair process. The Hydrating B5 serum from SkinCeuticals is our best seller.
An evening Hydrating Mask can be applied in a thin layer over the face, then left to penetrate for 10-15 mins. Areas of the body such as knees, elbows, hands and feet have a tendency to become very dry. Opting for a deep penetrating product such as this can be extremely beneficial for these tricky areas and is especially valuable in moisturising in the winter
Best moisturiser for the body:
Our immediate thoughts naturally go to moisturising our face in winter because the rest of our body is generally wrapped up with layers of clothing. So why is it important for us to remember our body as a whole and moisturise our face and body in the winter? As well as the damaging harsher external elements, hot showers or baths are always welcome during the cooler weather. However, this has the potential to strip the moisture right out of our skin, allowing it to become cracked, flakey and worst-case scenario subject to infection. The best moisturiser for the body should have a richer formula that locks in moisture and maintains a protective skin barrier during the harsh winter months. Preferably fragrance-free, non-comedogenic and hypoallergenic, with 3 essential ceramides to protect the skin's natural barrier. We stock Cera Ve which is taking the UK by storm right now and you can find something for your skin type in their range. You can see the full range here.
The key is to keep our skin, the largest organ of our body, healthy, glowing and protected 12 months of the year. As such, it is imperative that we remember to moisturise in the winter.