Beauty Guide

HOW TO PREPARE YOUR SKIN FOR WINTER

Winter is a season of simple pleasures: the shimmer of fairy lights, the cosiness of thick cashmere scarves and the warmth of a mug of chocolat chaud clasped between your hands. But while crispness in the air might reinvigorate the senses, it's not quite so good for your skin.

The combination of icy winds, chilly temperatures and toasty rooms with the heating cranked up leaves skin feeling dry, rough and generally depleted. During winter, your skin has different needs than it does during warmer months – by starting a new winter skincare routine early you'll get a head start on the harshest weather.

1. Face
2. Hands
3. Lips
4. Body

1. Face

Maintain your healthy summer glow by introducing a proper winter skin care routine. First of all, switch to gentle face washes, , such a creamy or oil-based cleanser like our Oil-To-Milk Facial Make-up Remover instead of a foaming gel. These cleansers delicately remove excess oils without stripping away your skin's natural ones, and are often enriched with ingredients like vitamin E and Shea butter to impart the skin with extra moisture.

Why does the skin get dry in winter? Winter weather is a well known skin-distressing factor since the combination of low humidity and the cold air create a harsh environment for your skin. To compensate for those harsh conditions ,your skin uses moisture at twice its normal pace, so it's important to adjust your skincare routine during that time. If your skin is dry to normal, be generous with your moisturiser applications. Switch to rich, oil-based formulations, such as Shea Ultra Rich Comforting Face Cream that will lock the moisture in. If your skin is oily or combination, base your winter skin care routine on layering lighter formulations that won't make your skin feel coated and greasy. Try using one of our water-based creams such as Aqua Réotier Ultra Thirst-Quenching Cream. And don't underestimate the winter sun! Whatever your skin type, make sure to include an SPF in your winter skin care routine to protect your face from the bright winter sunshine.

SHOP FACE CREAMS & MOISTURE'S

2. Hands

Hands can become dry with exposure to cold temperatures, so lavish them with a thick hand cream enriched with Shea butter. This deeply moisturising ingredient has been used for generations by the people of Burkina Faso – where we ethically source ours – to protect their skin against the harsh desert winds.

This high-in-fat butter has humectant and emollient properties, meaning it softens the skin and locks in moisture. It penetrates deeply to leave hands feeling smooth and supple. Choose one that's delicately fragranced with natural oils such as peony, verbena or cherry blossom to add a subtle scent.

SHOP HAND CREAMS

3. LIPS

SHOP LIP BALMS

The skin on our lips is thinner and more sensitive than other parts of our bodies, so it’s more affected by the cold winter air. To keep your pout feeling soft and comfortable ,regularly apply a lip balm - preferably one that's rich in natural oils like Shea Ultra Rich Lip Balm. It's best to coat your lips with a thin layer of balm every time you venture outside. This creates a protective layer, similar to wearing gloves.

If your lips do become chapped, dry or flaky, try to resist the urge to exfoliate them. This can deepen the cracks and fissures, and could lead to a painful infection. Use lip balm instead to soften the dehydrated skin and soothe what's left behind. Your lips will be back to their kissable best in no time.

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4. BODY

Although the body is less exposed than the face, hands and lips, it still needs extra nourishment during the winter months. Look for products with plant-based ingredients, perfumed with essential oils instead of synthetic scents. Natural ingredients are more gentle, as harsh chemicals can often irritate delicate skin and increase dryness. Shower gels and body wash with a star ingredients like moisturising Shea butter and relaxing lavender oil will keep your skin feeling hydrated and beautifully fragranced.

SHOP SOAPS

Winter is the time to choose a richer moisturiser for your body, as well as your face. Instead of a lightweight lotion, lock in valuable moisture by smoothing on a luxuriously thick body butter when your skin is still damp after showering.

Cold weather presents a host of challenges for your skincare regime, but armed with the right products you can keep your skin glowing and supple even in the depths of winter.