Winter Skincare: Prepare Your Skin For The Chirstmas Cold And Help Ward Of Winter Wrinkles

The sun is often seen as our skin's worst enemy, but winter can be just as much of a worry when it comes to wrinkles .

Biting winds and dry air outside plus central heating inside suck out the ­moisture, leaving us prone to the formation of new lines. Here's how to take extra care in the cold .

Moisture boost

"Our skin's barrier function is less effective in winter so we can't hold on to whatever water our horny (outer) layers of skin attract from deeper skin layers - and we keep losing moisture to the dry winter air by ­evaporation," says dermatologist Dr Stefanie Williams ( eudelo.com ).

"To combat ­transepidermal water loss, look for moisturisers containing humectants such as glycerine, hyaluronic acid, lactic acid and urea - they have the ability to hold and attract water in the skin."

TRY: La Roche-Posay ­Toleriane Ultra Intense Soothing Care, £16.50 from Boots, or Filorga's ­Hydra-Filler, £45 from Marks & Spencer, which contains high concentrations of hyaluronic acid.

Drink warm water

Water helps plump up the skin, but a cold glass from the tap just isn't that appealing when it's freezing outside.

Not surprising then that, during winter, we tend to drink much less than the recommended daily 1.6 litres of fluid for women and 2 litres for men.

Warm water is a great hydrator, but if you can't stomach it, drink white tea instead.

Studies have shown that extracts in white tea strengthen the skin's elastin and collagen content.

TRY: Clipper Organic White Tea, £1.29 from Tesco and Ocado.com .

No long, hot showers

Yes, we know there's nothing nicer than languishing in a steamy shower but your skin won't thank you.

"Long, hot baths and showers strip the skin of its protective oils, allowing moisture to escape," says skin therapist Nataliya Robinson ( nataliyarobinson.co.uk ).

Keep showers short and warm (not hot) and as soon as you step out of the steam (while your skin is still damp and pores open) apply moisturiser.

TRY: Popping your jar of moisturiser in a sink of hot water while you're showering. It will feel warm and comforting going on, but will also help it absorb more easily.

Don't forget the spf

Marie Reynolds, celebrity facialist and skincare expert at Origins, warns: "UV rays are still very much at large in winter, especially if there's snow around (and there's lots predicted this winter) because it reflects light. Use a broad spectrum SPF no lower than SPF25 to protect against UVA and UVB rays."

TRY: Origins Plantscription SPF25 Anti-aging Oil-free Cream, £46, or Clinique Superdefense SPF25, £38 from Clinique counters nationwide.

Young woman with pill on tongue, close-up

Pop a pill

A new study by French dermatologists has shown the beauty vitamin ­supplement Perfectil Platinum can help prevent winter's ageing effects.

In the trial, women who took a placebo pill suffered increased skin roughness and fine lines whilst those who took the supplement were protected against skin deterioration.

TRY: Perfectil Platinum, £23.95 for 30 tablets, from perfectil.com .

Get your oats

Dry skin can feel itchy, but scratching can damage skin and encourage fine lines to form into deeper wrinkles. "Collodial Oatmeal is one of my favourite ingredients in winter ­skincare," says Marie.

"It has an ­anti-itch, anti-inflammatory and ultra hydrating action on the skin.

"The beta gluten in oatmeal leaves skin feeling like satin."

TRY: Tesco's Pro-Formula Hydration range, containing oat extract. It includes a creamy face wash, £2, and Hydrating Night Cream, £3.

Special-eyes care

"The fine skin around the eyes can get extra-dry and sore in winter, especially in cold winds, leading to deepened crow's feet," says Marie.

"Swap your light eye gel for a rich cream containing hydrating rice bran and hyaluronic acid to help balance the skin's pH."

TRY: Eucerin AQUAporin Active Moisturising Eye Cream, £13.50, Boots or L'Oréal Paris Revitalift Laser X3 Renew Advanced Anti-Ageing Eye Cream, £19.99, nationwide.

It's a wrap-up

It sounds obvious, but covering up with scarves, hats and earmuffs will help avoid moisture loss. Avoid itchy wools if your skin is extra-dry, though.

"Friction from rough clothing can contribute to dry, irritated skin," warns Dr Stefanie Williams.

Woman Applying Moisturiser

Go easy on exfoliant

We all know it's essential to exfoliate to remove dead skin cells, which allows moisturiser to penetrate deeper, but go easy in winter, advises Filorga skin expert Sandre Fourre.

"Excess exfoliation damages the natural hydro-lipidic barrier of the skin leading to dehydration," she says.

Keep it as a once or twice a week treatment in the icy season.

Eat your fats!

"Fats are essential for healthy and nourished skin - but be sure to choose healthy (mono-unsaturated) ­varieties," says dietitian Nichola ­Whitehead (nicsnutrition.com). "Fats in nuts and avocados are fantastic for a healthy complexion. They have antioxidants such as vitamin E and selenium."

Humidify

Dry air pulls moisture from your skin. You could use a humidifier (a gadget that pumps moisture into the air) or make one by placing shallow dishes of water near radiators.

Creamy cleansers

"If you have dry skin and don't suffer breakouts use a creamy, non-foaming cleanser and rinse with lukewarm, not hot, water," says Dr Stefanie Williams.

"Avoid toners, ­especially those that contain alcohol which strips skin."

TRY: Pond's Cold Cream Cleanser, £4.07, nationwide or The Body Shop's Vitamin E Cream Cleanser, £8.
Source: http://www.mirror.co.uk/lifestyle/health/winter-skincare-prepare-yo...