Ahhh, winter. The season of red wine, crackling fires, and skin so dry there’s more face flakes than snowflakes scattered on the ground.
It’s true the UK gets pretty damn cold (as a native Australian I can attest to that), but in the grand scheme of things, it’s nothing compared to the winters of ice-covered Antartica and snow-deep Canada.
So to find out the true secrets for beating dry winter skin, we asked Russia-based beauty and fashion influencer, Marie Kitsova, for her best icy weather skincare tips.
1. Coconut oil lip mask
Chapped lips are often winter’s first victim. While carrying a lip balm with you 24/7 will help, Marie has a few extra tricks for keeping them smooth and hydrated.
“I like to apply coconut oil on my lips, cover it with some cling film and leave for 10-15 minutes. It really does wonders to my lips and makes them smooth and very soft. A honey mask can also be nice. ”
If you have dead skin or flakey lips, Marie says to massage and exfoliate them with a dry toothbrush afterwards, letting the mask soften the lips first.
2. Scarves, sheet masks and serums
When it comes to her skin, Marie says the cold weather makes her more dry and sensitive, ‘especially when exposed to outdoor wind in contrast with the warm and dry air of indoors’.
“I definitely use my scarf to cover most of my face when outside’, she says. “It is actually very important not to expose your face too much to the cold and the wind. ”
“In winter, I include a hydrating serum as an extra step to my routine before moisturising. Or a hydrating sheet mask – my skin feels like a newborn’s after doing them. ”
Marie’s favourite moisturisers are:
- La Roche-Posay Toleriane Prebiotic Moisturiser, £16
- Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cream, £24. 50
- Erborian Yuza Sorbet Night, £30. 80
- Clinique Dramatically Different Hydrating Jelly, £31
3. Take it easy when cleansing
If you have oily skin and are used to a thorough cleanse, you may want to ease up in the winter months.
“My skin gets a bit oily in the T-zone area, but I experience dryness on my cheeks”, says Marie. “I try to be more gentle with cleansing when this happens and cut out any scrubbing of the dry areas. ”
If you traditionally use a foam cleanser, consider switching to a cream-based cleanser or balm in winter.
4. Moisturise from the inside out
It can be SO easy to forget to drink water when you’re freezing cold, but it really is essential to healthy skin.
“Eating whole foods, more fruits and veggies, as well as drinking enough fluids can truly help the skin survive these harsh times and stay soft and more hydrated”, says Marie.
5. Switch off the heater
Not only will this lower your heating bill, but Marie says the warm and dry air can be as harmful as harsh outdoor winds.
“Try not to crank it up too much. I always try to just put on more clothes before resorting to the heater. ”
