Winter skin problems: How to prepare for and prevent them

We talk a lot at beautyheaven about winter skin problems, but fear not: That dreaded, dull and dry skin in winter is 100 per cent avoidable.

It all comes down to preparation. Getting your winter skin care regimen in order now will ensure your skin is strong enough to withstand the weather later on.

Not sure where to start? We spoke to Lisa Tristram, an aromatherapist and natural skin care expert with RosehipPLUS®, to find out just how the winter weather can impact our skin, and what we can do to minimise the effects...

How does winter affect our skin?

According to Lisa, “everyone notices a difference in their skin in winter, no matter how small”, due to a drop in heat and humidity, as well as the dietary changes and hotter showers that typically come with winter. Skin can be less oily, fine lines become more prominent and dry skin conditions such as eczema and dermatitis more pronounced. Lisa says skin that is prone to redness or rosacea is also at risk of flaring up “when irritated by wind and colder temperatures, as well as indoor heaters”.

How to prepare your skin for the cold weather

Winter skin care needs vary from person to person, but as a general rule, Lisa recommends opting for “preferably organic and definitely natural” products. Ideally, these products should also be free of additives, colours, fragrances or preservatives. Keep scrolling for Lisa’s expert advice on the best nourishing skin care regimen for your skin type…

• Preparation for: Normal skin types

While Lisa recommends those with a normal skin type “save the heavier moisturisers for the colder months,” she suggests gradually easing into the change of season by switching to a cream cleanser such as RosehipPLUS® Organic Daily Cream Cleanser. She says the gentler formula will help preserve your skin’s moisture barrier and prevent the onset of signs of dehydration later on, such as fine lines (particularly in the eye area), dark circles, scaliness and dry, flaking skin. Lisa also recommends incorporating regular facial exfoliation into your routine, “to promote regular skin cell turnover and ensure your skin stays smooth all winter long.”

In addition to establishing a more nourishing cleansing and exfoliating routine, Lisa also recommends using a face mask once a week. But not just any mask – she suggests opting for a hydrating one with nourishing natural ingredients such as calendula and rose, as they will “help soothe redness, calm the skin and provide rejuvenating properties”; they’ll also work to prevent red, dry, dehydrated or flaky skin conditions. beautyheaven recommends Natura Siberica Nourishing Facial Mask, which contains calendula marigold and wild daurian rose, to help rejuvenate the skin and impart a dewy glow.

• Preparation for: Dry and sensitive skin types

In addition to using a creamy cleanser, gentle exfoliant and face mask, Lisa says those who are prone to dry skin in winter should also start incorporating richer and more protective face creams for day and night, in order to prevent chapped or flaky skin later on. As far as ingredients go, the expert highly recommends rosehip oil, cocoa butter and shea butter, as not only do they promote skin hydration, they also “afford more protection to the skin, preventing it from drying out in the cold weather or heated rooms”. Chamomile is also a winning ingredient – “Aromatherapists often prescribe it when there is a dry, sensitive skin condition present,” Lisa says. The expert recommends RosehipPLUS® Hydrating Day Cream (which is formulated with rosehip and chamomile) and RosehipPLUS® Nourishing Night Cream (which contains rosehip, cocoa and shea butter) to nourish dry skin.

Those with a drier skin type should also consider swapping their body lotion for a body butter, for an extra moisture boost. Lisa recommends Natura Siberica OBLEPIKHA SIBERICA BODY BUTTER, which contains antioxidant-rich Siberian herbs (which are sourced from plants that have survived since the Ice Age), as well as nourishing sea buckthorn oil. According to Lisa, these ingredients can help increase the skin’s resistance to environmental stress, as well as hydrate and “promote plump, youthful-looking skin.”

Those prone to dry skin often find their hands dry out more in winter, too. Lisa recommends taking control now by popping a hydrating hand cream such as Natura Siberica LIFTING HAND CREAM on your nightstand, and moisturising your hands every night before you go to sleep. The wild harvested herb and flowers in the formula will help prevent those dreaded cracks from forming!

• Preparation for: Oily and break-out prone skin types

When it comes to cleansing, those with oily skin may prefer to stick to a foaming cleanser to help prevent breakouts. Lisa also advises against rich, buttery moisturisers, which “can be counterintuitive to most oily skins”. However, you may benefit from incorporating a facial oil into your routine. As Lisa explains, “This will send a message to your skin that it is receiving the nutrients it needs, and will often result in a balancing of oil flow”. Furthermore, “Sticking to a lighter lotion and adding the oil to your routine separately will allow you to control how much oil is going into your skin and adjust accordingly,” she says.

Lisa recommends looking for a facial oil that is high in essential fatty acids, such as RosehipPLUS® Certified Organic Rosehip Oil. It’s an Australian Certified Organic rosehip oil that is cold pressed from high quality rosehip berry seeds sourced from Chile, for maximum skin benefit. Lisa recommends applying “small amounts before your moisturiser in the morning, or to clean skin at night” and “pressing it into skin that has been spritzed with a natural mist or flora water to promote maximum absorption.”

• Preparation for: All skin types

While different complexions will benefit from tailored skin care in the lead-up to the cold weather, everyone can benefit from a few simple diet and lifestyle changes. As winter approaches, Lisa recommends increasing your intake of healthy fats and complex carbohydrates to nurture our digestive systems (which have a big influence on our skin’s health) and nourish our skin from the inside out.

Maintaining good hydration is also paramount. “If you are finding it hard to drink as much water as you need to keep hydrated, try warm herbal teas such as ginseng, chamomile, peppermint or green tea, which are all hydrating and rejuvenating for the skin,” she says.

How are you preparing your skin for winter? Did you find this article helpful?