WINTER SKIN SURVIVAL GUIDE
The wonderful Maya gives us her extensive winter skin survival guide!
As if the freezing temperatures and shorter days were not enough, many of us also suffer with dry, sensitive and lacklustre skin during winter.
Thanks to fluctuations in temperature, the drying effects of low humidity and central heating on high, the colder months can wreak havoc on your skin. However, there are steps you can incorporate in your daily and nightly beauty routine to bring life back to your complexion.
Moisturising facial cleanser
If you find that your regular cleanser makes your skin feel dry and tight then you might want to opt for a more moisturising cleanser. Avoid cleansers that contain drying ingredients like fragrances or additives, which strip your skin of its natural oils.
Gentle exfoliator
Using a gentle exfoliator after cleansing your skin will slough away dead skin. Although Retin-A is great for delaying signs of ageing and glycolic acid is great for breakouts (what with its drying and resurfacing properties), a strong exfoliator will sensitise your skin if used too frequently. This can leave your skin even more dry and sensitive and may cause you to breakout. Limit the use of strong exfoliators to once a week or forgo them altogether if you already have sensitive and dry skin.
Skincare infused with hemp seed oil is a must for people with dry skin. It is the only natural source that boasts of having the ideal ratio of EFA - Essential Fatty Acids. The hemp seed oil contains approximately 80% of fatty acids that nourishes and moisturises the skin. Benefits of hemp seed oil include:
• Reinforce and smooth skin’s surface
• Increase hydration without feeling heavy and help keep skin hydrated
• Calm signs of external stressors including redness and sensitivity
• Eliminate signs of flaky dehydrated-looking skin
• Visibly strengthen skin against signs of environmental damage
• Comedogenic rating of zero suitable for acne-prone skin
• Deliver antioxidants for anti-ageing results.
Moisturising face mask
There are loads of different types of face mask formulas such as clay, sheet and sleeping masks. Look out for face masks with moisturising properties that promise to rejuvenate and smooth your complexion without drying out your skin. Dr Botanicals Hemp Natural Super Enzyme Mask is packed full of pomegranate enzymes to gently resurface the skin and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Meanwhile, hemp seed oil nourishes the skin with fatty acids, vitamins and minerals.
Like with face scrubs, limit the use of face masks to twice a week. I usually use them at night after I have exfoliated my skin.
Facial oil and/or serum
Now that you’ve cleansed and buffed the skin, apply a very small amount of facial oil and/or serum onto your skin. Dr Botanicals Hemp Bio-Vitality Nutrition Oil works to nourish and balance dehydrated skin. The oil also contains vitamins such as A, D and E as well as minerals that protect the skin from free radical damage.
Moisturiser
For an additional layer of hydration apply moisturiser over serum. It is so important to not only look after the skin on your face, but also your neck and décolletage. Why? The neck and chest (also hands) are tell tale areas of ageing. You might look youthful, but these areas will rat you out.
During the colder months, you might have to swap out your regular light moisturiser for a more nourishing night-time moisturiser such as Dr Botanicals Hemp Stress Relaxing Antioxidant Night Moisturiser.
Eye cream
The skin around your eyes is thinner and therefore more sensitive than any other area of your skin. A thicker formula, like your regular moisturiser, is too heavy for your under eyes so opt for an eye cream. Simply use your ring finger to gently dab a small amount on the bone beneath your eyes. Use this day and night.
SPF
For your daytime skincare routine, remember to apply SPF after moisturising your skin. Bonus points if you use SPF over a facial oil that contains vitamin C, like the Dr Botanicals Moroccan Rose serum! Even though it is cold and dull outside, daily SPF will delay signs of ageing. I use SPF30 on my face and neck, SPF50 lip balm and an eye cream with SPF15. I’m only 22, but it’s never too early to start looking after your skin!
In the shower
You should also be mindful of the ingredients in the products you use on your body. I love using Dr Botanicals Coconut Oil Rejuvenating Body Exfoliating Bar as this cleanses, exfoliates and hydrates the skin. It’s a shower multi-tasker! It’s also a very ethical product because it is vegan friendly and does not come in plastic packaging. It also smells divine!
Body and hand creams
Your hands are also a tell tale area of ageing so it’s important to look after your hands too. I have very sensitive, very dry skin on my hands so I keep a tub of super moisturising body lotion at home and a hand cream in my handbag. I focus on my hands, elbows, knees and heels of my feet.
I usually choose body and hand creams that contain shea butter because it keeps my skin moisturised for a long time. I love Dr Botanicals Moroccan Rose & Shea Butter Body Cream because it’s nourishing and non-greasy.
Just as you swap out your sandals and cami tops for boots and sweaters as soon as the temperature drops, the same rule should apply to your skin care routine.
It’s never too late to overhaul your beauty routine!
Use Maya's discount code MAYA20 for 20% off across our whole website!
Find her on Instagram @themayapetite, Twitter @themayapetite and her blog The Sassy Brunette
