YOUR WINTER SKIN

Your skin is going to change now that winter is on its way. The greasiness that you may experience during the summer months will begin to be less noticeable and for some you may notice a complete change.  This is because as a rule skin tends to be drier now it’s cooler than in the summer months, as humidity and heat have a direct effect on the amount of oil your skin produces. You will notice this most when you travel anywhere there is extreme humidity like in the north of Australia, or throughout Asia. Walk out of the air conditioning of your hotel and within minutes your hair will have turned to frizz and a pubescent oil slick on your forehead and nose will have appeared.

Oil gets a bad rap when it comes to our skin because we instantly associate it with acne and pimples. But the truth is we need this oil and when the amount we produce slows down due to the colder weather, harsh products we might use, or just general aging, then the skins natural defence mechanism or barrier is destroyed. When this happens our skin becomes dry, dehydrated, irritated and wrinkly. The oil is essential for healthy functioning skin. It keeps it supple, protected from bacterial invasion and prevents moisture loss.

Some of you are going to need to change the moisturiser you use during winter. The light hydrating gel or fluid that is perfect for summer is just not going to be enough protection in the cold. But most people are scared of using heavier creams because they feel that their skin will break out and feel gunky (I love using that very technical non-word). This WILL happen if you make the wrong choice and use creams that are heavy in lanolin or petroleum. These ingredients are known to cause breakouts and are usually thrown in because they are cheap and will make moisturising creams heavier in texture without having to use the other far better, more expensive alternatives such as vegetable or nut oils.

Reading ingredient listings can be a bore. But when it comes to what your going to put on your skin take the time and be aware of what ingredients are right for you (smartskincare.com has a complete listing of what’s good and what’s not). When you are choosing a good medium to heavy weight cream for winter, look for ingredients high up on the list such as - Shea Butter, Coconut Oil, Jojoba Oil and Evening Primrose Oil. These ingredients will nourish and protect the skin in winter without suffocating it or causing breakouts. Remember ingredients are listed from the most used to the least. If it’s last or at the bottom of the list you can guarantee its not going to have much effect on your skin and is probably thrown in to make it sound more impressive than it is.

GREAT WINTER SKIN TIPS

Moisturising from the outside only does half the job. Nourish it from the inside during winter by having a tablespoon of flaxseed oil each morning on your cereal or mixed in with a smoothie. It’s one of the super good for you fats as it contains alpha-linoleic acid, and will keep your skin supple and healthy.

YOUR SUPER BOOST OF OIL THIS WINTER

Highly concentrated ingredients make the BIODROGA “Revitalizing Capsules” a true standout for dry skin this winter.

Based on Jojoba oil, rosehip oil and evening primrose oil, these softening and strengthening ingredients support the skin’s protective mechanism, improve moisture-binding capacity, and nourish dry skin.

At the same time, vitamins A and E protect against free radicals and encourage skin cell regeneration. Shea butter conditions and smoothes the skin, giving it instant suppleness and a radiantly fresh look.

They contain no fragrance, coloring agents or preservatives, guarantee optimal skin compatibility and are outstanding for all skin types suffering from winter cold.  They are quick and convenient to use, deliver impressive results, and leave behind a soft, firm overall skin condition.

Ingredients:     Jojoba oil     Rose hips kernel oil     Evening primrose oil     Vitamin A palmitate     Vitamin E acetate     Shea butter