Stratforward BID 2021 Gift Guide

As winter progresses, we notice our skins becoming more dehydrated, rough and
flaky. Conditions associated with dry skin, like eczema and psoriasis can also be
worse during cold spells. Moving from centrally heated environments into the biting
cold can cause broken capillaries and make rosacea worse.
In short, winter can be a difficult time for our skin, but a few changes to our skin
care routines and diet can help.
1. Include healthy fats in your diet
such as nuts, seeds, oily fish, and
avocados to safeguard essential
fatty acid levels. These fats help to
maintain a normal healthy skin and
reduce the water loss which leads to
dehydrated skin.
2. Cleanse with care. The outer layer of
the skin is incredibly delicate, so it’s
easily damaged by harsh chemicals
and vigorous cleansing techniques.
Try an oil-based pre-cleanse to
remove make-up and grime, without
stripping the skin’s natural oils,
followed by a skin specific cleanser.
3. Stop the scrub. We all want
to get rid of that dull dry layer
of skin, but too much physical
exfoliation such as granular
scrubs or microdermabrasion can
damage the outer layers of the skin
leading to water loss and even
more dehydration. Instead opt for
chemical exfoliators that include
Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHAs).
Winter is a great time to consider
opting for a professional peel.
4. Turn down the moisture. Often as
winter approaches the temptation
is to switch to a thicker, richer
moisturiser, but this may not be
the answer for everyone. These
‘rich’ creams can fool the skin into
stopping making its own moisture.
Talk to a skincare specialist to
determine whether your skin is
dry (lacking in oil) or dehydrated
(lacking in water) before making
a change.
5. Protect to perfect. We see so many
clients that think they only need sun
protection in summer months or
when on holiday. Those a UVA rays
are around 365 days (including the
cloudiest, dull November afternoon).
Added to that more than ever we
are being exposed to blue light
damage from computer screens and
tablets. You don’t necessarily need a
high spf but look for one with broad
spectrum coverage and antioxidants
to fight sun-induced free radicals.