The colder weather is here, and our skin definitely feels the effects of these winter months. The impact of the colder and drier air is combined when you step indoors with the heating turned on, both of which causes your skin to lose its natural oils and moisture levels.

Don't worry as there are steps you can take to minimise the effects of this time of year and keep your skin looking nourished and glowing…

Ditch Hot Showers

We all love to jump into a hot shower when the weather is cold outside, but your skin doesn’t. The hotter and longer that you are in the shower the more natural oils you are losing and are being stripped – leaving you with dry skin. Instead try a warm shower or bath – your skin will be grateful!

Exfoliate Less Frequently

Exfoliating helps remove the dead skin cells that build up on the skin – which is definitely necessary when skin is drier. However, exfoliating too much can actually dry your skin out more as exfoliation reduces the barrier layer of the skin – which is designed to lock in moisturise and protect the skin.

We lose 50 million skin cells a day and to prevent this building up we still need to exfoliate – during the winter months we suggest exfoliating around 2 times a week and look out for an exfoliator that is dual purpose. Our OJI Body Scrub and OKA Body Polish are dual purpose – packed with Shea Butter they moisturise at the same as exfoliating so that your skin isn’t left stripped of natural oils.

Moisturise, Moisturise, Moisturise

The best way to keep dry skin and eczema flare-ups at bay during the colder winter months is by moisturising! Finding the right moisturiser for your skin is crucial and is the ideal way to keep your skin looking it’s best. For those that face flare-ups of eczema, dermatitis or psoriasis make sure to apply a thicker, richer moisturiser to the affected area multiple times a day. When searching for a richer moisturiser look for those that contain occlusives and humectants – like Shea Butter, as they lock moisture into the skin and help reinforce the skin’s barrier.

Don’t forget to moisturise your hands – they are the part of our body that can get dried out most and often show it sooner than the rest of our bodies. Soaps can also be harsh and strip the hands of its natural oils – try switching it out and looking for a fragrance free or chemical free body wash as these are usually gentler and ideal for sensitive skin.

Keep Applying the Sunscreen

It’s common that we are more likely to apply sunscreen during the warmer summer months and it can feel odd to apply it during the colder and darker days. But just because we are seeing the sun less during the winter months the UV radiation is still there, around 80% of the sun’s UV rays can penetrate clouds, impacting your skin. Make sure you are applying an SPF on a daily basis!

These tips will help get your skin prepared for winter and keep your skin looking it’s best all winter long!