Top Tips for Winter Skin - Oct08

BRAVE THE ELEMENTS AND GET GORGEOUS THIS WINTER WITH OUR TOP TIPS FOR HEALTHY SKIN

As if getting out of bed isn’t bad enough on a cold, winter morning, you look in the bathroom mirror and all you see staring back at you is a dull, pale complexion, which only two months ago seemed so youthful and full of life.

As the colder months set in the callous winds and sharp drops in temperature can have a drastic effect on our skin, resulting in a dry, chapped, flaky appearance, which, let’s face it, won’t look good with any outfit.

It’s time to snap out of depressed winter-mode before it gets really bad and focus on maintaining a healthy glow that will make your friends green with envy.

Expert in skincare and director of treatments, Peter Beard at SkinGenesis, gives his top tips on how to reinvigorate your skin and bring back the smooth and supple summer skin you loved last season.

Top tips for gorgeous winter skin

“Great skin comes with a little bit of effort. If you eat sensibly, exercise regularly and take a little time in the morning and evening to give it the care it deserves, there is no reason why you can’t look great this winter,” Peter said. “It also needn’t be expensive and can be achieved easily as part of your daily skincare regime.”

1. Eat well, look great

It’s an oldie, but looking after your body on the inside can have impeccable results on the outside. Revert back to that summer diet of lots of fruit and vegetables and you’ll soon reap the benefits. “It’s so easy to be tempted by greasy comfort food, such as takeaways,” says Peter. “Whilst these are fine as a treat now and again, indulging regularly will soon take its toll on the skin.”

2. Rehydrate – quench your thirst

Your skin in winter is crying out for moisture and there is no better way to do this than to drink plenty of water. Aiming for the recommended eight glasses per day should keep moisture levels sufficiently topped up to ensure healthy, radiant skin.

3. Get moving, get beautiful

Light exercise is key to beautiful skin. A brisk walk to work, or a light jog in the morning will get your blood flowing enough to give you a natural flush that will look better than anything the beauty counters can offer. Peter suggests parking the car down the road from your usual spot to allow you to have a short walk in the morning. “Not only will your face look brighter, your whole body will benefit from the extra exercise and you may even shed a few pounds.”

4. Turn the heating down and ventilate

Central heating in your home can have a dramatic impact on the state of your skin. Peter explains, “It’s the sudden difference from being out in the cold to the warmth of being indoors that sends your skin into overdrive! The pores don’t know whether to dilate or contract and the skin becomes irritated.” Opening a window for ten minutes helps to keep the air in the home fresh, and a humidifier can help by restoring the moisture that is zapped out of the home by excessive central heating.”

5. Exfoliate and moisturise

“It’s common sense, but exfoliating and moisturising are simple steps that are quite often side-stepped in the morning, especially if you’re in a rush.” Peter adds: “Cleansing is not always enough and certain products can leave the skin feeling taut and cracked. Exfoliating as you cleanse rids the skin of dead cells which, if left, can clog the pores and cause blemishes. Finish with a good moisturiser to give your face a dewy appearance and protect against the weather.”

6. Operation cover-up

It is inevitable that you’re going to get one or two blemishes at some point over the winter, even if you are not usually a sufferer from acne. At the very least, you will probably be left with a nose like a clown as it feels the nip of the cold. Good quality make-up can mask most blemishes, allowing you to feign flawless skin.

Peter advises: “Concealer and foundation will only work well with your skin if it is moisturised regularly. No one likes to see flaky make-up, therefore it is important to focus on achieving a healthy base, instead of jumping straight in there, which could make blemishes worse anyway.”

7. Pucker Up

One of the worse affected areas of the skin is our lips, which are notorious for becoming chapped in the winter. Often neglected, it is definitely worth investing in a quality lip salve to protect them from the harsh elements.

8. Give your hands some TLC

After your face and hair, your hands are often the next part of the body that people see first, so taking good care of them is paramount. Hands can become extremely dry in cold conditions, particularly around the knuckles, therefore a simple application of some good hand cream will work wonders and the occasional manicure will keep them looking great.

9. Take care of your whole body

Taking a bath with drops of baby oil will wrap the rest of your body in moisture giving your skin the glow it deserves. You could even try massaging it into wet skin instead of towel drying, which will lock in the moisture for longer.

10. If in doubt – fake it!

It’s true. Fake tan is a great pick-me-up for winter, especially at the start of this dismal season, reminding you of the happier times that were summer. Providing you steer clear of the orange look and opt for a bronzer that develops gradually, fake tan can take you from drab to fab in a matter of hours.

Peter adds: “At SkinGenesis we’re committed to helping our clients achieve a look that they are happy with. Whether it’s acne, unwanted hair, thread veins, wrinkles or cellulite; you name it, we bust it. Skincare can be a sensitive, sometimes embarrassing subject, however speaking to an expert can help set you on a path to achieving perfect skin.”

SkinGenesis offers a free expert skincare analysis to anyone with problem skin or those looking for a specialist skincare regime. It works by testing the pH of your skin to ensure the products you currently use are right for your skin. With clinics in Leeds, Manchester and Chester , SkinGenesis can offer skin solutions to people throughout the North and the UK .

For your free skincare consultation, call your nearest clinic, or visit the skin treatment home page and get on your way to protecting your skin this winter.