Winter is such a difficult time for skin – its subjected to heating, damp, cold, wind which quite often results in flaky, dry, sensitive, reactive skin that’s breaking out and putting a dampener on this festive, joyous season…
So here are my top tips for a-day-to day regime:
Do not shy away from hydration! Whether you have dry, oily or acne skin or mature skin, hydration is key to maintaining balance, keeping the skin’s barrier strong and preventing breakouts, irritation and flakiness.
1. Cleanse: Cleansing is the most important step of any regime and it’s where a lot of skin issue stem from. Many cleansers are just way too harsh, which leaves skin unbalanced and unable to receive the benefits of additional product. Use a cleanser that lifts the daily grime and makeup without stripping your skin’s natural oils. You are looking for something that gives hydration back to the skin as well as effectively removing make-up and other nasties.
When you cleanse, use fast, superficial strokes working from the jaw upwards – you want the product to lift impurities, not penetrate the skin. Pay extra attention to problem areas such as the T-Zone or jaw and be gentle around the delicate eye area.
To remove your cleanser – whether that is with a muslin cloth or by splashing your face with water – it is essential that the water is TEPID! Hot water will dry your skin out even more.
My favourite ever cleanser is the Oilixia Gummy Cleanser – jam packed full of anti-inflammatory oils, it has eucalyptus which is anti-bacterial and also Australian Kakadu Plum which has a mild exfoliating properties. A no fuss cleanser which can be put straight on to dry skin, then wet your hands and massage to emulsify and rinse off.
2. Once you have removed your cleanser with TEPID water, I recommend spritzing your clean skin with a hydrating tonic to ensure ultimate penetration of moisture and efficacy of your products.
My go to is always the Skin and Tonic Rose Mist – I love it, it contains rose water, aloe and glycerine all of which are super hydrating and it smells wonderful too.
3. The mist prepares your skin to receive the serum. Layering serum on top of the mist traps in the moisture so it is able to penetrate further in to the epidermis, keeping our skin cells plump, strong and healthy.
Lots of people shy away from oils and serums for fear of breaking out or looking greasy. With the correct product for your skin this won’t happen. Serums contain smaller molecules than creams, so for this reason they can penetrate deeper in to the epidermis – they are full of antioxidants, anti-inflammatories and antibacterials which promote strong, calm, non reactive, clear skin.
For a very dry, flaky skin I would recommend a lighter oil as heavier oils will most likely just sit on the skins surface: Skin and Tonic Brit Beauty Oil – a lightweight oil that contains borage, thistle and chia seed oil which are packed full of antioxidants and omegas 3 & 6. These strengthen the integrity of the skin cells enabling them to better retain moisture.
For combination skin prone to breakouts chose Oilixia Explorer Blend Facial Oil – this oil has a blend 18 oils including of retinol rich Cacay oil which encourages skin cell regeneration, Paracress plant extract which firms skin and tomato fruit extract which brightens skin. It is full of vitamins, antioxidants and omegas and I personally have found it great at hydrating while managing breakouts.
For skin that can take richer hydration or a more mature skin I would recommend Oilixia Amazonian Cacay oil contains antioxidant Acai oil with vitamin E, nourishing Amazonian Lily extract, selenium rich Brazil nut oil and Buriti oil that’s loaded with beta-carotene plus retinol rich Cacay oil which boasts three times more retinol than Rosehip oil, twice the vitamin F and 50% more vitamin E than Argan oil. Take 4-5 drops in the palm of your hand, warm gently and apply to skin using an upwards motion – don’t forget your neck!
4. Finally moisturiser – a cream will trap in all the goodness from the mist and serum meaning that your lovely, hydrated skin will not become flaky, greasy skin after your 3pm cup of tea. You just need a pea size amount and apply in the same way as the serum.
I love all the Haeckel’s Eco Marine Extract Facial Cream. It’s super effective for skin that is lacking life or has been through bit of trauma such as acne scarring, sun damage or signs of ageing. Repeat this morning and evening and you will retain appropriate levels of dermal hydration throughout winter keeping your skin happy and providing a smooth base for party makeup!
On top of this I would always recommend a gentle exfoliator, masks and monthly facials but I will leave that for another day.
By Katie White
You can find all product on my website (www.relax-ldn.com) and get in touch for further
information or to book in (info@relax-ldn.com)