Women have never been an altogether practical lot. We walk around on tall spikes, wear garments that restrict our lung capacity and routinely submit to gruesome hair-removing rituals.
So it’s no surprise that come winter our wardrobes fail the adequacy test for coping with the cold and we’re left hovering by the nearest heating device as if it were a long lost friend. But while indoor heating may be your new BFF come the cooler months, it’s certainly not friendly to our skin. So if prolonged hours of heater-hogging have left your complexion looking worse-for-wear, read on – and get your skin glowing like it’s summer again!
Braving the cold
Exposing your skin to extreme temperature changes over a long period can cause a backlash of nasty consequences including dryness, flaky itchy skin and redness or dulling of complexion. If you’re sitting in heated environments wearing a lot of make-up, you’re also going to be extra prone to acne breakouts. The easiest and most effective solution to these complaints is to avoid using the heater wherever possible. During an evening at home, try rugging up with a blanket or hot water bottle and get moving during the day to keep your body temperature up.
If you absolutely can’t avoid heating due to your work environment, try applying a moisture serum every evening before bed like La Prairie Cellular Hydrating Serum, which will replenish lost moisture from the day. Wearing the right make-up through the day will also help to prevent acne breakouts caused by sweaty, clogged pores in bacteria-breeding-ground heaven. Look for light, oil-free make-up made for sensitive skin and choose natural, paraben-free products like Nude by Nature mineral make-up, which won’t clog your pores.
Cleanse away impurities
It’s essential to follow a regular skin-cleansing routine to maintain a healthy complexion but remember that each new season warrants a change to your routine. During the colder months when your skin is more sensitive as a result of exposure to harsh temperatures, avoid washing your face with hot water, as it can strip the skin of its essential oils and lead to further drying out. Instead, use tepid water and opt for a gentle soap-free cleanser like Cetaphil as soaps can cause flakiness and itching. To combat any extra dry or flaky areas, use an exfoliating scrub once a week, working in gentle, circular motions over your whole face to buff away impurities. Follow up with an alcohol-free moisturising toner, which will help to balance your skin’s pH level and restore its protective barrier.
Let there be light!
Winter weather can cause skin to lose its natural glow, making it dull and vampire-pale. So if the cooler months are making you look more Edward than Bella, it’s time you went shopping for an illuminator. Illuminator is a girl’s best friend when it comes to creating an effortlessly dewy, glowing look. Made up of mineral powders, illuminator works by refracting light; softening problem spots and brightening dark under eye circles all in one easy smear. It’s also a great tool for cheating that fresh, healthy look when you’ve just spent a week chowing down on greasy takeaway in front of the heater.
Simply sweep a small amount along your cheekbones and in a very light stripe down your nose before applying your everyday foundation. For an extra-dewy, sun-kissed look, try mixing a little illuminiser in with your foundation. Just be careful not to go OTT or you’ll end up shimmering like a disco-ball – a ratio of one part illuminiser to five parts foundation is good as a general rule of thumb.
A great product to start with that’s suitable for most skin types and subtle enough to bluff as your own natural glow is Benefit Moon Beam – a beautiful golden apricot tinted liquid that will add instant warmth and ooh-la-la to tired dreary skin.
What are your instant feel-good fixes for the colder months?
-Nadia Stennett-
