Hello skin beauties!
How are you feeling? Can you believe that it is Autumn already? There are a lot of celebrations to be had around this time of year, but if you have a skin condition, the fact that winter is on its way might not fill you with joy. I personally dread the colder days, I’m sure you know that I’m a sun seeker at heart.
Whilst many look forward to snowy days, those of us with skin issues like eczema, dermatitis, psoriasis and rosacea know the discomfort that the cold weather can bring. It’s tough on our bodies and getting through it can be tough on our minds too.
Winter temperatures
It goes with the territory that as the darker nights draw in, and the temperatures start to drop, this will affect the amount of moisture in your skin. You might think that it is sunny weather that dries your skin out, but in truth this can help you to produce more oil. In the winter, we experience a drop in humidity as well as heat, which causes environments to dry out. If you then add in the affects of central heating and fires and it starts to become clear why our skin dries out.
During the colder months, we also tend to indulge in more hot drinks, and consume less water. Our skin will soon feel the effects of this, and when combined with the external effects, many can start to experience dryness, flaking and itching.
Whilst some of this might be self-explanatory, one thing many people do not think about is how skin microcirculation is also affected. This occurs when skin capillaries constrict to reduce the blood flow through the skin, and these alterations can cause things such as facial redness or telangiectasia (spider veins).
You also may find yourself wearing a lot more layers during the winter, and some of us can find that the friction of this can irritate our skin. All of this starts to combine to make winter a tricky time for anyone with a skin condition and can lead to what feels like months of discomfort and pain. I know it’s a time that many of us with sensitive skin can stress about, but there are things we can do to manage our skin through these colder months. The key is to start doing this now.
Winter skin care
Whilst winter presents plenty of challenges, here are the things I suggest to help you through the winter. It starts with your skincare routine. Having a routine not only cares for your skin, but by following the same routine you create a ritual that calms your mind, which in turn also calms your skin. Knowing which products you plan to use each day means you don’t have to worry about which products to use and you can be mindful and talk positively to your skin throughout your routine.
Start by making sure that you use a gentle skin cleanser. Our Skin Warrior Wash leaves your skin soft and hydrated. It is high in Vitamin E from oat lipids and almond oil to help protect the skin’s barrier. It contains a carefully chosen gentle natural botanical fragrance to help avoid further irritation and is not only 98.3% naturally derived but is also a cruelty free and vegan skin wash.
When your skin is lacking moisture, you need to make sure that you are replenishing it wherever possible. The Calming Cream is our daily go-to for hydrated skin, leaving your skin feeling smooth and cool. It is a luxury moisturiser which comes from natural ingredients that care for your skin offering immediate absorption in a non-sticky, non-greasy formula. It is suitable for the face, hands and body, is suitable for sensitive skin prone to eczema, rosacea, psoriasis and acne and is available in travel sizes to ensure you always have it close at hand. I take the 100ml size of this with me everywhere. I have one in the car, one on my desk and one in my bag so I can apply it throughout the day. If your skin is like mine, I just need to keep it hydrated and moisturised. I was conscious about making the packaging look gorgeous so none of us need to have handbag shame, which I used to get all the time if I used a medical looking product in public.
For a relaxing way to give your skin a moisture boost, add the Pamper Me Bathing Oil and Salty Soother to your bath. These are both so good. The thick oil/gel formula of the bathing oil is super hydrating and both the Bathing Oil and Bath Salts contain six amazing luxurious oils as well as crystals. Did you know all our skincare contains crystals? They are there for you to focus on self love and tranquillity while you use the products. As I always say ‘calm mind, calm skin!’ They are both sensitive skin products that create a soothing bath that allows your skin the chance to soak in all the natural moisture boosting properties.
Whatever happens to your skin this winter, please make sure that you take good care of your mental health too. The effect of a skin condition on how you feel should not be underestimated, I’ve been there, so believe me, I do understand, so it is important that you show yourself some love. Have a read through our ‘What is self love?’ blog to find some important tips on how to do this. Remember, if your skin does flare up, please always go back to your doctor or dermatologist to see what else they can offer you. This does not mean that you have failed in any way or cannot take care of your skin, it is simply an important step in managing your continually evolving skin condition.
Take care of your skin this winter, and you will make it much easier for yourself to enjoy all the wonderful things that the season has to offer. There is so much to enjoy and I’d love to hear what fun things you have planned, so pop over to Instagram to share your highlights.
Lots of love and positive vibes, Camille xx