Winter Skincare. 3 Things To Change - Right Now.

If, like me, you enjoy the cool and crisp weather, but don't quite enjoy the impact it has on your skin, this one's for you! The cold weather can be harsh on your skin, leaving it dry, flaky and at times, a little itchy. Why? The combination of cool air outside and dry central heating inside strips the skin of moisture, leading to dryness, tightness and sometimes flakiness. Annoying? YES. 

Here are 3 simple steps you can take right now to keep your skin glowing and healthy throughout the colder, winter months. 

1. Exfoliate Your Skin (but lightly)

A skincare routine wouldn't be complete without exfoliation. During the colder months, dry, flaky skin may make you want to exfoliate more regularly, but don't. Over-exfoliating your skin can damage the already sensitive skin barrier. Exfoliate two or three times a week at most, using a mild chemical/liquid exfoliant (AHA or BHA) rather than a harsh, physical scrub. Once your skin is prepped, it's time to move onto a good serum that will make all the difference. I love Yo Glow Exfoliant by Huda Beauty's Wishful range or the Daily Microfoliant by Dermalogica (a bit more pricy but worth it!). 

2. Use A Vitamin C Face Serum To Combat Dullness

You'll notice your skin looking a bit dull and a little lifeless during colder months. This is due to dryness caused by low humidity levels. A build up of dead skin cells could also contribute to this and reduced blood circulation. This is why it's a good idea to opt for a serum to help brighter, even out and plump up the skin for a quick refresh. The one serum I ALWAYS use for this is a Vitamin C face serum. It instantly brightens dull skin, giving it a natural glow and I find it helps my skin look more plump and even. I have a few favourites but I always tend to go back to Super Glow by Glossier which also has magnesium in the mix or 15% Vitamin C + EGF Serum by the Inkey List. 

*Pro Tip: Add a couple of pumps directly into the palm of your hands and warm the product up before massaging into your skin. Don't forget to go down to your neck and chest. I also rub remaining product into the back of my hands. Don't waste anything. 

3. Increase Hydration with a Richer Moisturiser

Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate! One of the most important things you can do for your skin during the winter is to keep it hydrated. The cold, dry air can suck the moisture out of your skin, leaving it parched and dull. Make sure to drink plenty of water throughout the day to keep your skin hydrated from the inside out. And don't forget to use a richer, nourishing moisturiser to lock in moisture and keep that bounce. I tend to keep this step simple and I don't like spending a fortune on a moisturiser. It's not going to deliver as much of a result as a serum so you can stick to something like Simple's Kind To Skin Replenishing Rich Moisturising Lotion. I use the light moisturiser in warmer months and the rich in cooler months. It's a bargain! Always check it's 'non-comedogenic' so you're not clogging up your pores. 

So there you have it, three simple things you can do right now to keep your skin glowing and hydrated this winter. Keep it simple, don't over do it and most importantly, have fun with it.