Look After Your Skin this Winter

Cold air and heating can wreak havoc on your skin.  

When the air outside is cold and dry, the water in your skin evaporates more quickly; this makes your skin feel dry and makes it look flaky. The lack of vitamin D doesn't help, and many end up with skin that is itchy and lacks a glow. 

Scientists have estimated that your skin loses more than 25% of its ability to hold moisture in winter, making it feel drier and tighter.

Over half of Irish people don’t change their skincare routine during the cold winter months, even though many suffer problems at this time of year, such as cracked lips and painfully dry skin.

Luckily, many available remedies can keep your skin looking and feeling happy during the winter.  

What Can You Do? 

1. Protect your skin when you're out and about with protective clothing. Wear gloves and a scarf, but avoid wearing fabrics that irritate your skin such as wool. Opt for cotton or silk that allow your skin to breathe. 
2. Drink water. In winter months, we tend not to be as thirsty which makes it easy to become dehydrated. Dehydration contributes to dry skin. When you're hydrated, your skin is too. 
3. When at home or work, set your heater to the lowest setting that is comfortable. 
4. Long hot baths and showers may sound great after being out in the cold, but the combination of hot water and soaking can strip your skin of its protective oils. Also, avoid heavily fragranced body washes. 
5. Exfoliate your skin to get rid of the dead skin cells, but avoid scrub brushes. Pat your skin gently, don't rub when towelling dry. 
6. Use body lotions regularly to replenish lost moisture. 
7. Frequent hand washing can lead to splits and cracks that can even bleed. Apply hand cream or a lotion immediately to seal in the moisture. 
8. Don't neglect your hands, feet, elbows, and knees. Moisturise regularly! 
9. Don't skip your lips! Avoid chapped lips by applying a lip scrub that you can prepare at home, and then a lip balm straight after. 
10. Wash your face once per day and opt for a gentler cleanser. 
11. Reach for those thicker creams and make them part of your winter skincare regime. 
12. Don't forget hydrating facial serums containing hyaluronic acid and peptide. Serums are lightweight and are easy to layer so that you can apply oil or moisturising cream afterwards.
13. Get enough sleep because skin repairs itself while you sleep. 
14. Enjoy foods rich in vitamins or use supplements such as Vitamin C, Omega-3, Vitamin 3, Biotin and others in your diet to keep your skin looking healthy and youthful.
15. Suncare is not just for summer. Sunscreen products will shield you from those harmful UVs during the winter too. 

Give your skin some relief this winter by following our advice. The most important thing you can do for your skin is to moisturise it. 

If you're experiencing very dry or itchy skin, and nothing seems to help, consult your GP or call in and chat to our expert team at Higgins Pharmacy Sligo.