How to save your skin this winter

Winter has somehow crept up on us and we've suddenly realised our skincare routine needs a major overhaul.

Spending more time indoors with the windows closed and central heating on full blast can wreak havoc with our skin - making it become dehydrated, dull and seriously lacking in moisture.

RELATED: How to keep your face fresh through winter

So to get the lowdown on what we should be doing with our skincare in the colder months, we spoke to make-up artist Sonia Allen for her top tips on keeping your skin in tip-top shape.

Re-asses your skin

Has it changed since summer? If not, Sonia says to keep using the same products.

“If you are finding it is more dehydrated (tight in feeling) and/or dry (patches of dry flaky skin) think about investing in a hydrating serum to layer underneath your moisturiser,” she said.

Keep an eye out for a cream packed with hyaluronic acid - an ingredient Sonia claims holds up to 1000 times its weight in water.

Exfoliate

It is just as important to exfoliate the skin in winter as it is in summer.

“Skincare won’t absorb as well when it has to work through layers of dead skin and the build up won’t improve the appearance of dull skin either,” Sonia said.

“For the face you can try Vigour Skin Therapy’s Intense Exfoliation Therapy ($44) which uses AHAs and BHAs along with bamboo powder to loosen dead skin cells while being oil based means skin is left replenished and hydrated after use.

“For exfoliating the body you can’t go past C-Lab & Co coffee scrub ($24.95), the perfect cocktail of roasted and ground coffee, Vitamin E, sweet almond oil and sea salt (less abrasive than sugar!), everything winter skin needs for natural exfoliation.

“Follow with the Natralus Paw Paw 95% Pure Moisturiser or Sun Bum Cool Down dry body oil ($16.99) to lock in all the moisture and your skin will look like you’ve come back from holidays.”

Know your ingredients

Oil free formulas might not cut it in winter when skin is less likely to retain moisture.

Sonia said to look for ingredients like glycerin, jojoba oil, almond oil & hyaluronic acid in your moisturisers, primers and foundations.

“Avoid ingredients with high levels of alcohol, mineral oil, menthol, sulfates, camphor or strong essential oils like rosemary or pine,” Sonia said.

“The iT Cosmetics No.50 Serum ($68) is packed with great ingredients your winter skin will love and doubles up as a primer.

“The Touch in Sol Feel Like Honey Moon Skin Base ($39.99) uses honey extract to help keep skin hydrated and protected and is another great option for prepping winter skin before makeup application.”

Eat well

As well as topical ingredients, food is often a very overlooked source of nutrients for healthy hydrated skin.

“Supplement skincare with a diet high in fatty fish (salmon), aloe vera (great in smoothies), macadamia nuts, avocados, pumpkin seeds and avocados,” she said.

And needless to say, drink plenty of water.

Illuminate

When skin is not properly hydrated or exfoliated it can look dull.

Get around this by mixing illuminators into your moisturiser.

“A few drops of the Hylamide Photography Foundation ($29.99) or Nars Liquid Illuminator in Copacabana ($44) into your regular moisturiser will bring back that glow on days you don’t want to wear makeup but still want to look fresh,” Sonia said.

“They can also be applied over foundation for a subtle highlight on cheekbones.”

Combat redness

Extremes of temperature can cause damage to capillaries on the face, especially when coming from the cold into a central heated environment.

If you suffer from broken/damaged capillaries, Sonia says to avoid hot showers and always make sure your face is protected with a suitable moisturiser.

“Concealers and CC Creams will help to disguise the redness,” she said.

“Opt for ones that have an easy texture to work with so that application doesn’t cause further damage to the skin (no rubbing or tugging at the skin).

“The iT Cosmetics CC Cream with SPF 50+($58) is full coverage and helps to even out skintone/discolouration while being easy to apply with fingers or a brush.”

Get misting

Face mists - that aren’t just water - are a great way of delivering hydration to the skin throughout the day and for refreshing makeup also.

“The ylang ylang and grapeseed extract in the Vigour Skin Therapy Rejuvenate Conditioner makes it a great mist to keep on your desk/bathroom/coffee table while the aloe vera in the Jane Iredale Pommist works wonders on parched skin and is a convenient handbag friendly size to take with you in your handbag or when traveling,” Sonia said.

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