Prepare your home for the winter chill
The nights are getting colder and the chill is starting to set in – this is probably the time of year when you crank the heating up. I can’t really blame you but unfortunately, your skin just might! This sudden influx of hot, dry air can strip away the essential oils of your skin, leaving you with dryness and irritation.
Now, obviously I’m not saying you should sit indoors and freeze but perhaps apply some moderation. Don’t keep your heating dialled up at max all day and make sure you’re not positioning yourself directly in front of your radiator or heat source. You could try investing in a humidifier to help put some moisturise back into your home, creating a healthier environment for your skin.
My top tip: If you don’t want to splash out on a humidifier there’s a simple trick you can use instead. Simply place a bowl of water on top of your radiator and gradually this water will evaporate into the air, adding more moisture to your home.
Hydrate your body, hydrate your skin
The winter weather can be difficult to cope with – the sudden burst of icy cold winds, the showers of snow and the persistent chill. These conditions, unsurprisingly, can easily dry out your skin and sometimes even contribute to eczema flare-ups. What you might not know is that this onslaught of cold, dry air can also affect your body’s thirst response.
This means that, even when your body needs water, you won’t feel as thirsty and so dehydration becomes more commonplace. Understandably, this can present a number of problems, not only for your skin but also for your health as a whole. If you’re not getting a proper intake of fluids you can start to feel lethargic, dizzy and may find yourself more prone to emotional outbursts.
When it comes to your skin, dehydration can prevent your body from eliminating toxins which in turn can contribute to skin conditions such as eczema and acne. That’s why I recommend keeping an eye on your fluid intake during these months – remember, as delicious as they are, hot coco and speciality lattes don’t count!
My top tip: When it comes to staying hydrated in winter, you could try adding a slice of lemon or ginger to some hot, boiled water. Not only will this help to keep you warm, it’s also easier for your body to process and the inclusion of lemon or ginger can give your immune system a nice boost!
Moisturise everywhere
This is probably quite an obvious one but bear with me. During winter you will naturally need to increase how much you’re moisturising your skin to help combat all the harsh effe
cts I’ve already mentioned. However, while most of us are quite happy to put more moisturiser on our faces, we often forget about other areas of the body such as our feet, hands or even lips!
These areas of your body are already extremely susceptible to dryness either because they are exposed or as a result of the stress they face on a daily basis. That’s why it’s important to give these areas some attention too – keep some lip balm in your pocket, invest in a soothing hand cream and don’t forget about your poor old feet too!
My top tip: When it comes to winter, I normally turn to our soothing Neem Cream to help nourish my skin and ease any signs of dryness. Since it’s been specifically formulated for extremely dry, eczema-prone skin it’s incredibly gentle and can even help to take away the dreaded itch and angry redness!
Adjust your skincare routine
Have you ever noticed that your skin seems more prone to breakouts and flare-ups during winter? Even though nothing in your skincare routine has changed, the products you’ve been using for months suddenly seem to spark a reaction out of nowhere!
Don’t worry, this isn’t unheard of and does actually make a little bit of sense. If your skin is becoming increasingly drier and more sensitive then it’s going to be more reactive, even to familiar products. That’s why, at least during the winter months, you may need to look at adjusting your routine.
As always, natural is best but in this case I’d also recommend considering products that are friendlier for sensitive skin types. These will usually contain fewer harsh ingredients and fragrances, making them a far gentler option. You could even try to extend this approach beyond your beauty routine – cleaning products can also be a huge irritant that your skin is vulnerable to during this time.
My top tip: Whether your skin is prone to eczema or to acne, our friends over at Jan de Vries have an enormous range of skincare products from moisturisers to serums to shampoos and conditioners. There are plenty of options for sensitive skin so you’re bound to find at least one product that works for you!
Shield yourself from the sun
Shield yourself from the sun? It’s the middle of winter! Well, yes, although sunny days can be a rarity, especially if you happen to live here in the UK, when the sun does decide to show its face it can be just as damaging to your skin as it is in the midst of summer. That’s why, even if the temperatures have sunk below 1oC, you still need to protect your skin from UV radiation. This is where suncream comes back into the picture!
My top tip: It doesn’t matter if it’s the midst of summer or the heart of winter, I always try to make sure that my cosmetics have a low SPF factor just in case. Plenty of different beauty brands now incorporate SPF into their products, such as PHB Beauty and Pacifica.
Keep moving
By the time winter rolls around most of us are ready to enter hibernation mode. The dark skies and bleak weather doesn’t exactly inspire us to move around much however, abandoning our exercise regimes at this time could be a mistake.
This is because your circulatory system is extremely important for the health of your skin – it helps to transport nutrients to where they are needed most and removes any waste products away. If your circulation becomes sluggish your skin can really suffer which is why getting some regular exercise is so important. It also doesn’t hurt that exercise has been known to stimulate the release of endorphins or ‘happy hormones’ to help combat the winter blues.
I’m not suggesting anything too strenuous here. You don’t have to embark on a 40K cycle or a 10K run (although if you do, our Get Active Advisor Gilian’s blog may be useful here!), a brisk walk should suffice. Low impact exercise can also be extremely beneficial so you don’t need to worry if more intense workouts don’t suit.
My top tip: In winter I really enjoy doing my workouts in the comfort of my own home, especially when the weather’s getting up. Mindful stretching can be particularly useful, especially when the holiday stress is starting to get me down. You can check out some examples here of some simple and quick exercises you can do at home to help get your blood pumping.
Remember those immune-boosting nutrients!
If one thing should be top of mind in the middle of winter, it’s supporting your immune system. Colds, flus and other nefarious bugs are rife and if your immune function is weak, you’ll definitely find yourself nursing a sore throat and chesty cough. Your immune system also does a surprising amount for your skin too, helping to fight off bacteria and other pathogens, so you definitely want it in tip top shape.
One way of enhancing your immune function is to make sure that your diet is rich in immune boosting nutrients such as vitamin C and zinc. While you might be more tempted by hot chocolate and turkey dinners, it’s important you still include plenty of fresh fruit and veg into your meals.
As much as you want to enjoy yourself, try to moderate your intake of sugary food and drinks – remember sugar is capable of triggering a breakout, the last thing you want during the party season! If you want any advice on how to manage your diet during this time, I’d highly recommend reading our Nutritionist Emma’s blog ‘Great winter meals for immune health.’
My top tip: During the darker winter months, you can become more susceptible to viral infections such as the common cold which is why I usually try to make sure I have some Echinaforce on hand just in case I start to feel any of those niggling symptoms. Our Echinaforce contains extracts of freshly harvested Echinacea, a herb traditionally associated with supporting the immune system. We have a wide selection of products ranging from our Chewable Tablets to our delicious Hot Drink.
Relax and enjoy yourself
Last but definitely not least, make sure you enjoy yourself! Whether you’re celebrating a specific holiday or ringing in the New Year, it’s important that you make the most of this time, either by spending it with your family or catching up with your friends. It’s easy to become bogged down by all the stresses involved – the pressure of buying gifts and keeping your bank balance afloat – which is why our Stress Advisor Marianna offers some guidance and tips for coping at this time of year over at A.Vogel Talk Stress.
In the meantime, the best thing you can do is prepare for the hustle and bustle in advance. Make lists of what you need to do and what you need to buy and tick them off one by one. Have a clear plan of action but don’t be afraid to take some time to yourself if you need to. As I’ve mentioned, gentle, low impact exercise can do wonders to lower your stress levels or you could even do something as simple as read a book or indulge in some festive films.
