Drink lots of water.
During winter we often forget to drink enough water. I am a self-confessed coffee addict but in winter a good way to drink it is room temperature with a slice of lemon, or any other fruit of your choice. The fruit infuses much better in room temperature water. I try to have a herbal tea once or twice a day.
Choose a cleanser carefully.
I love a good cream cleanser – something that nourishes rather than damages. Steer clear of foaming gel cleansers as they tend to strip natural oils from the skin. Try to avoid anything with alcohol and fragrances as well. Sometimes, after a late night you may not want to wash your face, so good facial wipes are great. Again, be careful about your choices.
Exfoliate for glowing skin.
One of the best things you can do for your face in winter is to exfoliate, once or twice a week. Be very careful what you purchase – avoid exfoliators with apricot kernel pieces as it will scratch and damage your skin. A glycolic mask is a great exfoliator as there is no scrubbing.
The top 8 glycolic acid skin benefits are:
- Strongest AHA due to its small molecule size.
- Exfoliates dead skin cells.
- Reduces fine lines and wrinkles.
- Fades hyperpigmentation.
- Brightens and smooths complexion.
- Fights acne.
- Hydrates dry skin.
- Increases penetration of other ingredients
Keep those showers short and sweet.
You may think that your skin becomes drier in summer, but not so. Those cold winter winds do nothing for our face! We rug up so well and keep our bodies nice and warm but it’s our face that takes the brunt of the harsh cold winds.
A good skin care routine, morning and night, is paramount for hydration. I often add another layer to my normal routine at night. After cleansing, toning and moisturizing I’ll often add another layer.
Taking care of the rest of your body.
Although there’s nothing more enticing than a long hot shower. If you have dry skin really hot water will only make matters worse by stripping away your body’s natural oils. Try to keep a nice warm water flow, but don’t make it stingingly hot.
I recommend Arbonne’s Shea Butter Body Wash which will nourish and moisturize your skin.
After-shower care is so important. Rescue and Renew Detox Oil is beautiful – Pure Orange, Lavender, Anise, and Bergamot Essential Oils are known to create a sense of calm and relaxation.
For total indulgence I recommend Arbonne Botaniques Coconut Body Butter.
Exfoliation is great for the body too. I use a hand mitt loofah with a good cream cleanser – again one that is natural with no nasties – ie. parabens, phthalates, mineral oil etc. I exfoliate before I use my tanning lotion.
And when you are out in the elements, remember to wrap up – a scarf and gloves are essential to protecting your hands and the delicate skin on your neck.
Sunscreen is not just for summer.
Sunscreen is still a necessity in winter. The sun’s rays still permeate cloud cover so it’s important to have use a moisturiser with an SPF. I recommend Arbonne Agewell Moisture Restoring Cream with SPF 15. As an added bonus my CC cream contains SPF 30 – Arbonne Intelligence Pollution Defence CC Cream Broad Spectrum SPF 30.
