Winter skin 101: chapped skin

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Winter skin 101: chapped skin

Are you over the dull, lacklustre appearance of your skin despite being just three days into winter? We’ve spoken to two of the industry’s most clued-up pros (a leading dermatologist and a researcher from Vaseline Intensive Care) about common winter skin complaints and how to fix them.
Today we’re tackling chapped, broken skin that everyone falls prey to come winter.

Q) What key ingredients should I be looking out for?

A) Chapped and broken skin is caused by excessive dryness so it’s important to boost skin’s moisture to its optimum level. Cosmetic Dermatologist Dr Adrian Lim says “anti-inflammatory agents like aloe vera, chamomile, green tea, coenzyme Q10 and licorice extract” will help to soothe chapped and cracked skin. Ruth Muller, Research and Development for Vaseline Intensive Care suggests “an intense moisturiser that contains high levels of humectants (eg. glycerin) and occlusives (eg. petroleum jelly and cocoa butter).” Try: Vaseline Intensive Rescue Relief & Repair Balm or Vaseline Intensive Rescue Hydrating Foot Cream.

Q) What should I be avoiding?

A) Muller warns that “low humidity environments may cause the dryness to worsen rapidly” so be sure to steer clear of them in the next few months. Dr Lim also advises that, as with eczema, it’s best to “avoid long hot showers, oil-stripping soaps, scrubbing the skin and woolly clothing.” Cold wind wreaks havoc on lips too so a lip balm to treat cracked lips is a handbag essential. Try: Vaseline Petroleum Jelly or Burt’s Bees Beeswax Lip Balm.

Q) What should my daily skin routine consist of?

A) According to Muller you should:

1. Shower with a mild, soap-free cleanser with added moisturisers (eg.
Dove Mini Beauty Bar or Dove Triple Moisturising Body Wash)

2. Chapped and broken skin is often localised to areas of intense dryness like knees, elbows and feet so be sure to regularly apply an intense moisturiser like Vaseline Intensive Rescue Relief & Repair Balm to help these areas repair themselves more rapidly. (Always consult a doctor before applying to broken skin though.)

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Winter skin 101: dry and flaky

Image credit: elle.com

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