Experts reveal Winter skincare dos and don’ts – including eating more oranges and cucumbers

As the winter chill sets in, it is essential to protect and nourish your skin in the harsh cold weather, especially with temperatures in the UK dropping below 0 degrees.

Experts at beauty and wellness marketplace Fresha have provided beauty enthusiasts with their top tips for maintaining healthy skin during the frosty months.

Remember, SPF is not just for summer
Perhaps the most important tip on the list, SPF should be incorporated into your daily winter skincare routine. Despite the lack of visible sunshine and warmth in these colder months, the UV rays from the sun can seep through clouds and age and damage your skin. It is recommended to apply a high SPF, such as SPF 30 or 50, after you cleanse but before you moisturise to fully protect your skin; even SPF 15 is too low in the winter season. With ‘#sunscreenrecommendation’ hitting 85.6 million views worldwide on TikTok, skincare lovers around the world aren’t skipping this step – so be sure to add this to your beauty regime if you haven’t already.

Opt for gentle cleansing for a healthy barrier
During this cold season, our skin can become more susceptible to dryness and sensitivity, so it’s crucial to use gentle, non-harsh products to maintain a healthy skin barrier. It is recommended to use creamy cleansers instead of foaming ones, as well as washing your face with lukewarm water instead of hot water. Implementing these small changes will ensure that your skin’s natural oils are not being stripped away and that your skin barrier is protected to retain moisture.

Don’t forget to protect your hands and lips
It’s not just your face that needs protecting this winter, as the skin on your hands and lips is thinner and more vulnerable to dryness – hence why we lick our lips and suffer from ‘lick eczema’. To prevent this, applying a good quality lip balm and a rich layer of hand cream in between hand washing, going outside, eating, and drinking is necessary. Taking these steps will shield your hands and lips from chapping, cracking and becoming sore during the harsh temperatures.

Try a vitamin C serum
Introducing vitamin C to your skincare routine can hydrate and brighten your skin, as well as reduce hyperpigmentation and promote the production of collagen. However, it’s incredibly important to gradually introduce vitamin C to your routine, as it may not be suitable for your skin type. Some vitamin C products may have high concentration, so it could cause minor skin irritation, and in these cases, should be dropped from your routine immediately. Therefore, do a patch test to assess your skin’s reaction by applying a small amount of serum or oil to the back of your hand. If you develop any redness or rashes, then this product is not suitable for your skin.

If your skin reacts well to the vitamin C serum, then this product can heal blemishes and can provide UV protection, but it must be used as well as SPF as opposed to replacing it. Not to mention, it gives your skin an incredible glow during the dull winter months.

Maintain hydration from the inside out
The harshness of the cold air can be seriously drying to your skin, so using a daily hydrating moisturiser twice a day is a must to lock in moisture and prevent a dry, flaky face. This moisture should then be sealed with a facial oil, such as argan or jojoba, to fully reap the benefits.

Hydration should also be prioritised from the inside out, so ensure that you’re drinking plenty of water and eating water-rich foods, such as fresh fruits like oranges, vegetables like cucumbers, as well as broths and soups.

Don’t overload your skin with new products
It is important to bear in mind that the change in temperature does not require a complete change in your usual skincare routine. Overloading the skin with too many products, especially new ones, can exacerbate or evoke skincare issues. It is recommended to trial new products and carefully monitor how your skin responds to them on a day-by-day basis. As well as this, trying one product at time allows you to see the true results with no other factors affecting them, rather than using too many at once and trying to figure out which one isn’t working for you. Taking these steps will ensure that your skincare routine is suitable for your needs, particularly in this cold weather.

A spokesperson from Fresha has commented on these tips: “The winter can bring challenges to your skin, so it’s vital to adapt your skincare routine to this colder season. This guide emphasises the importance of hydration, UV protection, and being gentle with your skin to protect its barrier and not overload it with products.”

“Hopefully this guide can offer inspiration and helpful tips to those struggling with issues of dryness, redness or irritation during these cold months.