Getting your skin ready for the winter

Water, water and more water

Staying hydrated during the winter is absolutely crucial. Cool, dry weather – plus the added effect of having the central heating on indoors – causes water to leave the skin. This is the reason behind dry and flaky skin at this time of year. Drinking plenty of water throughout the day, as well as eating foods rich in omega oils, helps counteract this issue.

Top to toe

We tend to focus on the skin that’s visible during winter, which is often just our face and hands. Remember the rest of your body during the winter too! Clothed parts of the body – especially feet – can also suffer during the winter, so keep up with your exfoliation from top to toe.

Get handy

The delicate skin on our hands can be a particular casualty of the winter environment, so introduce a moisture rich hand cream to your beauty regime if you don’t already use one. Wear gloves as much as possible when you’re out and about and when you’re washing up too – as this will help reduce the toll on your hands.

Sun cream

Applying UVA and UVB sun cream shouldn’t just be a summertime habit. The sun can damage your skin any time of the year, but it’s not to be avoided completely, as it also provides vital vitamin D. Ensure you monitor your exposure to the sun during the winter, and continue applying sun cream too.

To keep your skin in tip-top condition this winter, we recommend the following products:

• The ESPA face oil range – in particular the Replenishing, Balancing, Regenerating and ProSerum varieties. These are all designed to nourish, balance and counter dehydration while strengthening the skin’s moisture barrier.
• ESPA ProCleanser – a 3-in-1 cleanser, exfoliator and mask that helps remove dry, dead skin cells. It also maintains radiance and prevents dry, dull skin.
• Guinot Nourishing skin care range – ideal for skin that looks dull, lacks radiance and is suffering from irritation or sensitivity. It includes a richer moisturiser, mask and serum that contains omega 3, 6 and 9 oils, as well as vitamin E that can restore comfort and softness to dry or irritated skin.
• ESPA body salt scrubs – these work to effectively exfoliate, soften and revitalise the skin. It pays to spend extra time on heels, knees and elbows with this product – as these areas are prone to higher levels of dehydration.
• ESPA Smooth and Firm Body Butter – this is an intensely rich body moisturiser to smooth and enrich the skin’s hydration levels.
• Gelicious Booties and Gloves – these cosy gel lined booties and gloves release moisture and nourishment into the skin, with a hydrating blend of vitamin E, jojoba oil, grapeseed oil and olive water. It’s a great way to achieve smooth, hydrated skin with no effort!