If Christmas over-eating and partying has taken its toll on your skin read our tips for reviving your face and body.
Colder weather causes our skin to retain less moisture whilst central heating doubles the problem by drying out the air and leeching moisture from the body. here are some top tips for looking after your hair and skin this season!
Face the weather
Our faces take the brunt of the winter weather so it’s best to take action before the problems start. Don’t scrimp on your cleanser and then follow-up with a rich moisturiser. Even though the sun might not be as warm you still need to remember not to go out without SPF on to protect yourself. If it’s in your moisturiser already it’s one less thing to remember. As the weather gets colder it is often our lips that suffer first. A travel pot of Vaseline works a treat and fits nicely in your handbag/pocket.
Avoid hair static
Flyaway static hair always seem to get worse as it gets colder. This is because heating makes the air dry which in turn dehydrates your hair. There are simple things you can do to minimise the problem:
- Deep condition – treat your hair to a deep conditioning treatment as moisturised hair will be less prone to static.
- Leave-in conditioner – now is the time of year to invest in a leave in conditioner. Spray it onto wet hair after you have used shampoo and have conditioned.
- Avoid harsh chemicals – hair products with alcohol in them will dry your hair out.
- Anti-static sprays – you can buy anti-static sprays which can help. You can also spray it into hoods and hats!
Sort out your rough patches
Exfoliation is the name of the game here. Get yourself a body brush and gently brush your whole body. Direct your strokes away from your heart and all the way to your fingers and toes. Then apply a body scrub. There are some great salt based scrubs (standing in the bath whilst you apply is a good idea). Apply in gentle circles to arms, legs, elbows, feet and knees – concentrating on rough patches and then rinsing in the bath or shower.
Add bath milk or oils to your water and moisturise straight after bathing. Applying to damp skin gives an extra moisture boost.
Liven up a dull complexion
The secret to keeping skin fresh looking is maintaining your routine. Cleanse and moisturise daily and use the right night cream. If you can grab 10 minutes once a week to exfoliate and apply a face mask you’ll see the results. To avoid skin drying out, turn the central heating down a notch and open a window to allow moisture into the room. Drink plenty of water and you’ll see an improvement to the tone and appearance of your complexion. (Wonderful Water: The benefits of 8 glasses a day)
Love your hands
Your hands need extra loving at this time of year. Treat yourself to a good hand cream and apply it often. Wear rubber gloves whilst doing housework and slather your hands in cream before you put them on. The heat from your hands will make the cream work harder. Wear gloves outside to protect your hands. Switch soap for a natural foaming wash to treat your hands
Look after yourself
Give your diet a makeover – the old saying ‘you are what you eat’ couldn’t be more true. A diet rich in fruit and vegetables is paramount to good skin. Try to exercise – believe it or not, working up a sweat is not only great for our bodies, it also boosts the skin by releasing toxins, increasing blood flow and resulting in a smoother, healthier complexion. Find local exercise classes where you live.
