Have you ever wondered if your beauty routine should change with the seasons? Well, we change the colours we wear and the foods we cook, based on the seasons. Our skincare routine shouldn’t be any different.

Harsh winter temperatures and the constant change from outside elements to indoor heating can leave our skin feeling dull and dry. It is therefore important to keep our body’s largest organ healthy and hydrated throughout the cold months.

Here are some essential skincare tips, not just for the health of our face, but for our whole body. 

START THE DAY WITH A GLASS OF WATER

Moisturising from the inside out is especially important part of your beauty routine for winter. Starting the day with a tall glass of lukewarm water will not only hydrate but also flush out toxins and give you an energy boost.

WAKE UP WITH EXERCISE AND AN ‘INSTANT FACIAL’ RATHER THAN A COFFEE

A natural way to get the blood moving in the morning is with gentle exercise, like yoga or a short walk. Combine it with splashing your face with cold water and you’ll instantly feel awake and energised – not to mention getting brighter, tighter skin. Coffee is a diuretic so relying on it for energy can dehydrate and age skin.

SWITCH TO A GENTLE CLEANSER

Soaps and many cleansers will dry your skin out so switch to a natural face cleanser preferably an oil based one which won’t strip your skin of its natural oils. You also want to avoid products with artificial fragrances, as those can also irritate and dry the skin.

CONTINUE TO EXFOLIATE

A good scrub can do wonders for increasing the penetration of moisturisers. Exfoliators help to remove the outer dry skin cells and help speed up the skin’s regeneration. However if your skin is very dry, then exfoliate less than you would normally, because your skin barrier is going to be a little bit compromised because of the dryness and the cold air. Try adding fine grain sugar to our cleanse balm to exfoliate while you cleanse.

USE A FACE OIL

It might seem obvious, but moisturising your skin is crucial for keeping it hydrated throughout the winter. Face and body oils work particularly well at keeping the skin hydrated as they protect the skin by building a barrier against outside influences such as harsh weather and extreme temperatures. Oils are also able to penetrate the skin deeper into the lower levels of the epidermis.

EAT BEAUTY FOODS FOR BREAKFAST

Pick a healthy breakfast that delivers a dose of winter beauty foods. Oatmeal based breakfasts like granola and porridge are good for the skin as oatmeal is high in beta-glucans which supports skin health. Beta-glucan possesses anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that may help combat the effects of ageing on skin, like wrinkles and dryness.

Avocados are also great for the skin as they are full of vitamins A, E and B and biotin. They are a good source of zinc, which cleanses and detoxifies your body and they help your skin stay hydrated.