Stay Hydrated!
One of the biggest challenges to skin health during the colder months is dryness. Indoor heating and cold winds can strip your skin of moisture, leaving it looking dull and feeling tight.
How to keep skin hydrated:
- Use a rich moisturiser: Switch to a thicker, hydrating moisturiser that helps promote a healthy skin barrier such as the Environ Super Moisturiser.
- Keep your body hydrated too: Drinking enough water is essential, especially when holiday meals and festivities include dehydrating foods or alcohol. Carry a water bottle with you to remind yourself to sip throughout the day.
Vita-Complex Super Moisturiser – Focus Care™ Moisture+ is perfect for when the colder weather and Christmas festivities are being a bit harsh on your skin…
Protect Against Winter Sun
Even in winter, the sun’s UV rays can damage your skin, especially when reflected off snow. Many people overlook sun protection in colder months, but UV exposure can contribute to premature aging and skin damage year-round.
Ways to protect against winter sun:
- Apply sunscreen daily: Use a good quality sunscreen on all exposed areas of your skin, even if it’s cloudy. Winter sun protection is essential, whether you’re hitting the ski slopes or just running holiday errands.
- Opt for SPF in your makeup: If you find yourself skipping sunscreen in the winter, a great way to get your SPF in is to use skincare makeup which has SPF in it, such as by Et Al or Jane Iredale. They offer light coverage and keeps you protected.
- Wear sunglasses and hats: Sunglasses protect your eyes and the delicate skin around them from UV damage, and a wide-brimmed hat provides additional coverage for your face.
Combat Indoor Heating’s Drying Effects
Indoor heating might feel cozy, but it can create dry, low-humidity environments that leave your skin parched and prone to flaking. This dryness can contribute to fine lines and can make sensitive skin even more reactive.
Tips for preventing indoor dryness:
- Use a humidifier: Adding a humidifier to your bedroom can help maintain moisture levels in the air, which prevents your skin from drying out overnight.
- Limit hot showers: Hot showers can strip your skin of natural oils, which are essential for moisture. Opt for lukewarm water and try to limit your shower time to help preserve your skin’s hydration.
- Moisturise hands and lips: Hands and lips tend to dry out faster in winter. Keep hand cream and lip balm handy, and apply frequently throughout the day, especially after washing your hands or being outdoors. Our favourite lip balm is the Jane Iredale Lip Drink which makes your lips nice and moisturised no matter what your skins being put through, as well as having SPF to protect your lips!
Resist the urge to manually exfoliate your skin!
So many people are addicted to exfoliating, especially when Winter hits! However, over-exfoliating or manually exfoliating (ie with harsh physical scrubs, dermaplaning, or microdermabrasion) will only make your skin more susceptible to UV damage, as well as the drying effects of Winter….
Why you should resist over-exfoliating no matter how dry your skin is looking!
- Only use intelligent exfoliation: The only exfoliants we work with at MJs are liquid exfoliants which are very gentle – we can advise you how to use these properly if your skin actually needs to be exfoliated. Most people’s skin doesn’t actually need to be!
- Focus on correcting issues from within: For long-lasting, naturally glowing, and healthy skin, focus on a skincare regimen rich in Vitamin A and antioxidants. This approach may feel like it takes longer to show results than harsh exfoliation, but it will be worth the wait as it’s addressing the issue properly! Harsh exfoliation can give results that *look* impressive however it’s going to be very short-lived, actually making your skin more susceptible to damage, with it likely looking as bad if not worse than it did after just a few days…
- Nourish your skin: If your skin looks like it needs exfoliating, it likely needs a lipid-rich skin treatment instead! Lipids are essential for a healthy skin barrier, they prevent water loss and plump out the skin.
Manage Holiday Stress For Healthy Skin
The holiday season is exciting but can also be a stressful time, and stress often shows up on our skin. From breakouts to dryness and redness, stress can impact skin health in surprising ways.
Ways to keep skin calm during the holidays:
- Prioritise rest: Sleep is essential for skin regeneration and repair, so try to get a good night’s sleep even with holiday events and late nights.
- Take time to relax: Find ways to unwind, like taking a warm bath, practicing mindfulness, or doing a quick meditation. Reducing stress helps keep your skin calm and healthy.
- Avoid holiday skin irritants: Rich foods, alcohol, and sugary treats are common during the holidays, but they can exacerbate skin concerns like acne and dryness. Enjoy these treats in moderation, and balance them with fresh fruits, veggies, and vitamin rich foods.
Treat Yourself To A Skin-Boosting Treatment
If your skin is feeling extra stressed or dry, a treatment focusing on certain issues can be a great way to give it a quick boost.
Choose a treatment that focuses on your problem areas:
- Essential Rose Facial: Our luxurious aromatherapy facials harness the regenerative properties of rose, to nourish, soften and hydrate all skin types, especially dry, delicate and finely textured complexions.
- Forest Therapy: A relaxing all-over treatment with a long, deep massage using the beautifully grounding Forest Therapy® unique essential oil blend, followed with a warm grounding mud mask to recharge through hands and feet. Leave your body feeling soft, relaxed and rejeuvenated.
By prioritising skin protection and making small changes to your routine, you can keep your skin radiant and resilient throughout the holiday season. Taking time to care for your skin not only helps you look your best but also supports overall well-being, so you can enjoy this special time of year with confidence and comfort… Happy holidays, and here’s to a season of healthy, glowing skin! Love, Nicola x
