Christmas is coming and, well, your skin is getting dry. And kind of red. Actually your lips are also super chapped… and what’s with the skin sensitivities that weren’t there last month? Sigh. But fear not! Because you can grab all your winter SOS HIGHBORNs in our 15% OFF Christmas Shop with code XMAS21 ...
Winter is an awesome time of year. Roaring log fires, festive get-togethers, time with family and plenty of treats. But when it comes to your skin, it’s not such fun.
For one thing cold, dry weather strips your skin of moisture and essential lipids, impairing your skin’s barrier function and causing a whole host of problems. Blustery winds? Ditto. Central heating? Same thing.
So, if you’re already suffering from irritating winter skin issues, read on for some quick and easy ways to make sure they don’t get the better of you…
Dry Skin
Dry skin is undoubtedly the most common issue as autumn turns into winter. This is due to a depletion of natural moisture and oil levels in your skin which make up your skin’s NMF (natural moisturising factor).
Your NMF is an extremely important part of your barrier function which, as you know, is the protective layer on the uppermost part of your skin that stops water getting out and unwanted toxins and chemicals from getting in.
When your barrier function gets compromised thanks to cold, dry air outside and warm, dry air inside, it results in dry skin that can feel tight and itchy. No fun.
The Solution? Layer up your moisturising products to help your skin retain water. Spritz your skin with Diamond Toner after cleansing to bathe it in aloe and glycerin, then seal it in with Imperial Moisturiser and Organic Age Defying Facial Oil.
Maskne
Yes, it's rearing it's head again. If you’ve noticed the odd pimple on your chin, cheeks and jawline, chances are it's maskne [or touching your face]. Maskne occurs when friction and pressure from wearing a face mask for prolonged periods of time irritates your pores and causes acne. Of course, this can creep up on you at any time of the year, but it’s more common in winter when your barrier function is already weakened.
The Solution? Choose 100 percent cotton masks that allow moisture and heat to escape while helping to keep you safe. Make sure you wash your masks often and ensure you cleanse your skin gently but thoroughly with Crystal Cleanser twice a day.
We'd also recommend daily exfoliation with Natural Luminosity Scrub to help prevent build up of dead skin cells and dirt - which clog your pores ... culprits for breakouts.
Facial Redness
Redness is extremely common in winter because cold temperatures cause your capillaries to dilate in a bid to increase blood flow to the surface of the skin and help keep it warm. Of course, dry air – both indoors and out – doesn’t help because it breaks down your protective barrier, increasing sensitivities and inflammation.
The Solution? Avoid wrapping your face in woolly scarves as this can cause extra irritation, especially around your chin and mouth. Instead, go for cotton fabrics and when it comes to your skincare, steer clear of unnecessary additives like parabens and sulphates which exacerbate redness.
Stick with a simple, basic routine that’s high on moisture and low on harsh chemicals. Our Organic Hydration Gel is particularly great for soothing, calming and hydrating sensitive skin. Try this at night, then apply Organic Tinted Moisturiser with SPF 25 in the morning to protect your skin from sun damage (because yes, this is still a thing in the winter).
Chapped Lips
The skin on your lips is very thin and lacks sebaceous glands which means it has no oil to keep it naturally moisturised. Therefore, when winter kicks in and there’s even less moisture in the air than normal, your lips stand no chance and become irritated, dry and flaky.
The Solution? The best time to help repair your lips is overnight, so slap on plenty of Superior Lip Butter before bed, and ensure you smooth it ever so slightly over your lip line and into the corners of your mouth.
A humidifier is also a great investment for your bedroom because this increases moisture in your room which stops you breathing through your mouth and reduces your chances of waking up with dry lips.
So head over now and snap up your skin-saving HIGHBORNs in our 15% OFF Christmas shop [code XMAS21] ... Grab yourself or a loved one a special gift too while you're there!
