Mid-season body maintenance

March is such a weird time of year. For one thing, it’s March (where did January and February go? Did they even happen?), and for another, it’s that in-between season where the weather doesn’t really know what’s going on. So, how on earth are we supposed to know what we should be doing, body-wise? Basically, it’s about maintaining everything you achieved in summer, while preparing for winter. It’s a bit of a balancing act but hopefully the following dos and don'ts will help.
Keep topping up your tan. There are still going to be days when shorts, dresses and sleeveless tops are appropriate. But to cut down on effort, start using St Tropez Tan Enhancing Moisturiser to make your tan last longer, and if/when you decide to stop applying it, just be sure to give your body a good scrub so you’re not left with patches of colour.
bh recommends: Puretopia Glowingly Smooth Exfoliating Renewing Body Polish, La Mav Coffee Bean Body Scrub.
Stop wearing sunscreen as a last-ditch effort to get some colour before the sun disappears. Summer may be over, but doesn’t mean the sun won’t damage your skin. So keep slathering on the sun protection each and every time you head outside.
Start researching new recipes that include fruits and veggies that’ll soon be in season. And if you haven’t already, buy a soup stick. It’ll make blitzing homemade, healthy soups so much easier. You won’t be able to live on salads for much longer!
Fall into a hot food trap. Obviously, you’ll start craving the warmth of hearty winter foods as the weather gets chilly, but steer clear of fries, meat pies and cheese toasties. Think more along the lines of porridge, vegetable curries and frittatas.
Perfect your moisturising routine. During summer, we’re generally a lot better at remembering to put on lotion because our skin is on show. But as the cooler months roll around and we start piling on the layers, it’s easy to forget to lather up. So whether it’s moisturising after every shower, in the morning before getting dressed or when you watch TV at night, get into a routine and stick to it. Our advice? Treat yourself to a luxurious cream or body oil for motivation.
bh recommends: Sanctuary Spa 5 Day Moisture Creamy Body Oil, Crabtree & Evelyn Caribbean Island Wild Flowers Body Lotion and People for Plants sweet almond, white tea, macadamia Ultra Rich Body Cream.
Start increasing the temperature of your showers. It may be a tempting solution to warm yourself right up, but even though they feel amazing, hot showers can really dry out your skin. So, try to stay loyal to the lukewarm temperature you used in summer.
Keep at it. You can’t get away with gorilla legs hidden under pants right now. If you wax, though, you might only have to go through the process a couple more times before you can leave your hair to grow in all its glory.
bh recommends: Nad’s Body Wax Strips and Nair Salon Devine Sensitive Wax.
Start laser just yet. The cooler months are the perfect time to start laser sessions so you’re hair-free by next summer, but you need to make sure your skin hasn’t been exposed to the sun recently. So only kick off a laser hair removal program once your beach days are well and truly over.
Replace the incidental exercise (like swimming and walking along the beach) with other activities. To remain active as winter hits, arm yourself with exercises you can do indoors, like yoga, pilates, boxing and circuits.
Use the cooler weather as an excuse not to exercise. Summer bodies are made in winter, right? Not to mention exercising is exactly the kind of thing that’ll warm you up. Plus, there are plenty of activities you can do right in front of the heater.
How do you prepare your body for winter?
YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE...
![]() |
||
5 habits of people with perfect skin |
7 of the best smelling body moisturisers |
Top-to-toe beauty tools |
|
||
Which is better: body oil or body lotion? |
How to get seriously smooth skin |
Are you making these moisturising mistakes? |
42 Member Comments
Fruit and veg all the way...yumm! Now in winter I am loading as same as in summer hehe. That is why all year round body is in superb condition.
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
Fantastic reminders. I know I need to consume more vegetables daily - its difficult, yet needs to be done.
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
Good tips to remember. I had a meat pie tonight though.
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
I see People for Plants product here. Thought about ray jay
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
I buy a sweater :P :P
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
Great tips, so glad today is the last day of winter, looking forward to Spring/ Summer.
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
I don't do any preparation for cold weather. I do less body scrubs and hair removal, and I couldn't care less if I have gorilla legs! I live on my own so nobody notices anyway.
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
I definitely am guilty of toning down the exercise and having hot showers!
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
Good tips. Autumn is a lovely time of the year.
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
Winter always kicks me out of my healthy routine! This time I'm going in prepared and coming out the other side better this time round!!!!
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
Oh some lovely body products to try here
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
lol at the 'gorilla legs'! It's still warm here so I'll be shaving for some time to come.
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
Change my moisturiser over to one that absorbs quickly so im not cold and butt naked for as long as i am in the warmer months
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
I reach for rich body butters when the weather turns cold, I find they're the best for me for keeping winter skin hydrated
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
I can't believe that summer is over. I don't like really hot weather but I feel sad when it gets darker sooner and have to pack away the summer dresses. Really do hope I can keep exercising in the colder days.
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
I love summer and autumn. Winter not so much.
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
Hot showers for me, always a must and i know it dries up my skin, but i try to make it up by moisturising after shower. I do stop exercising during winter lol
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
I go into hibernation mode over summer, the heats sucks my soul out. I'll be dating again soon, when the weather cools down a bit more. I can feel myself start to slowly coming back to life. Winter is when I exercise, date & generally live.
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
I love a good hearty stew to warm up in winter. Sad to see the end of summer. I dread those winter mornings!
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
Great tips BH. I've got to watch those winter warm foods. I always love those foods on a cold night!
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
I've just moved, exchanging a Tasmanian Winter for a Queensland one. But I think these tips are great, especially moisturising, eating well and keeping active.
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
I really need to give my body a good exfoliate as I hate to admit it has been a little while since I did this!
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
I use body lotions and face serums more often in the colder months. Instead of doing a hydrating mask session once a week in summer, I do it twice a week in winter.
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0