The winter holiday season is a time for get-togethers and parties. It is also when you want to look your best as you meet family and friends. Healthy skin is a critical factor for looking good. Unfortunately, the cold weather removes moisture from your skin, making it dry and flaky. A few simple precautions can go a long way in ensuring that your skin remains well-hydrated and has a healthy holiday glow.

Exfoliate regularly. It is usually the first step towards rejuvenating your skin. Exfoliation involves the removal of dead skin, allowing the new skin underneath to be revealed.

Use Retinol Cream at Night. Retinol is derived from vitamin A and has many anti-ageing and anti-wrinkle properties. It increases the cell turnover rate and boosts collagen production. It can smoothen fine lines, fade age spots, control acne, and give a youthful appearance to your skin. Retinol should be applied at night because your skin will be sensitive to sunlight for some time after application. Retinol can cause dry skin, so adding a hydrating night cream to your skincare routine during the winter season is best.

Avoid Hot Baths. After spending time in the cold, it may feel great to have a hot shower, but boiling water may cause skin breakdown and moisture loss. Your skin will be much better off with lukewarm baths without staying in the water too long. Use More Moisturiser. Use moisturizing cream regularly and significantly after a bath to ensure your skin retains its elasticity and velvety feel. Remember to moisturize not only your face but the rest of the body as well.

Use Humidifiers for Indoor Heating. Several small humidifiers spaced throughout your house will keep your skin from drying out compared to other heating systems.

Use Sunscreen Even Though There is no Sun Outside. The harmful ultraviolet rays damage your skin even on cloudy days when you cannot see the sun. Furthermore, snow reflects 80% of the UV rays, and you have almost double the exposure to these harmful rays. If you are travelling to a higher altitude for the winter, your risk of harm from UV rays is more significant due to the thinner atmosphere, which means less protection from UV rays. So, make sure you have plenty of sunscreen on before stepping outside.

Following these skin care tips will ensure your skin retains vitality and freshness during winter.

My favourite products for the winter season are from ZO (Dr Zein Obagi) range.

Offects® Exfoliating Polish

Use it 2-3 times a week. It helps remove dry, dead skin, increases cell turnover and improves skin texture.

 

Ossential® Daily Power Defense

Use 2-3 pumps daily as a day cream. It is the hero product of the ZO range, which helps diminish fine lines and wrinkles by stimulating collagen. It also promotes healthy skin turnover to provide a more even skin tone and healthy glow.

 

Oclipse Smart Tone SPF 50

This is my favourite sunscreen. It is a broad spectrum, with high SPF, and doesn’t make the skin oily or greasy.

 

Ommerse® Renewal Crème

Increases hydration in the skin with natural emollients and Creates a barrier that is proven to lock in moisture. It also has retinol, which has excellent anti-ageing properties, making it the perfect night cream for the winter.

 

ZO products are only sold through skin health professionals; some need to be prescribed. All the ZO products are available to buy at One Skin Clinic. Make an appointment to see me for a skin consultation to find the best possible solution for your skin problems.