Winter’s here and it’s bringing the cold and chilly climate your way. But while we might all be dreaming of a white Christmas, this wet and wintry weather can cause havoc on your skin.
“Which is why you need to arm yourself with products that are specifically designed to protect and nourish your skin from morning, noon and night,” award-winning beauty therapist and owner of BodySense Beauty Treatments, Rosa Scialo, says.
So, should you change your skincare routine in winter?
The short answer to this question is yes, you should switch up your skincare products in winter — and it’s for good reason.
“Extreme weather conditions, like minus temperatures and harsh winds, can leave your skin vulnerable and strip it of its natural oils,” Rosa explains. “When skin becomes vulnerable, it can lose its structure and become very taut and thin. Skincare is like scaffolding for your skin. In the summer we need to rehydrate our skin after the warmer temperatures. But during the colder months of the year, your winter skincare routine should nourish and feed your skin with products that give it a chance to restore, rebalance and regenerate.”
How to switch up your skincare for winter
1. Moisturise, moisturise, moisturise
You might think a moisturiser is just for summer — but it’s not. During the winter months your skin can become dry and flaky and that’s where a thicker moisturiser really steps up to the plate. But how so?
“A rich moisturiser acts as a protective barrier, preventing the loss of water in the outermost layer of our skin and shielding against environmental damage,” Rosa tells us.
2. Use the power of massage
The placement of your skincare shouldn’t be an afterthought. Instead of just rubbing your moisturiser onto your face in a haphazardly fashion, spend time massaging the product into your skin.
“It will help to lightly push the product into your skin,” Rosa says.
3. Exfoliating is important
You should exfoliate your skin throughout the year but especially during the winter months. “Exposing your skin to the cold air outside, along with the heating inside can really dehydrate your skin cells,” Rosa explains. “It’s essential to remove the dead skin cells that build up over time so any active ingredients in our skincare products can penetrate the skin, enabling them to do their job more effectively.”
Rosa adds: “Exfoliating stimulates cell regeneration which improves the overall look and texture of the skin. By skipping over exfoliation, skin will look tired and devitalised.”
4. Make use of face masks
Masks can be a great tool to beat the damaging impact of the winter cold. If you are going to have a warm bath, Rosa suggests adding a nourishing face mask to your bath routine. However, being mindful of water temperature is important as having the water too hot, causes skin to become irritated and dehydrated. “Whether it’s a mud, clay, sheet or peel-off mask, your complexion will look and feel more hydrated and nourished. Don’t forget to exfoliate first!”
If you’re looking for something that can penetrate even deeper, you could always try the nourishing, repairing and hydrating Fondamentale Solution treatment. Or try out the crème de la crème of facials — the Luxury Caviar Experience.
5. Consider using actives
Thought active ingredients were only for summer? Think again.
“Winter can be a great time to feed your skin, with active ingredients like vitamin C (reducing dryness and wrinkles), alongside hyaluronic acid (the key to locking in skin moisture) and the holy grail of skincare, niacinamide (which visibly minimises enlarged pores, improves uneven skin tone and diminishes dullness). All of this combined can help you fortify a healthy skincare barrier,” Rosa says.
6. Don’t forget your hands
Skincare doesn’t just stop at your face.
“In 2023, we’re all washing our hands a lot more than ever before,” Rosa says. “But when you throw the colder temperatures into the mix, if you’re not careful our hands can become very dry and chapped.”
Rosa’s top tip? Keep some nourishing hand cream near the sink so you’ll remember to reapply continuously throughout the day.
7. Protect your eyes
When it’s cold outside we shield our feet with socks, our body with a coat and our face with skincare. But what about our eyes? “They’re often the one part of the body we fail to protect from the blisteringly cold climate during winter,” Rosa says.
So how can you best winter-proof them? “An eye cream can help to hydrate and strengthen the delicate skin around this area,” Rosa explains. “So make sure you use an eye cream daily and avoid any other products that aren’t specifically designed for eyes in this area.”
8. Wear your SPF every day
SPF isn’t just for use on holiday. Sun screen is something we should be wearing every day and winter is no exception.
“There’s a common misconception that if it’s not sunny, UV rays can’t penetrate the clouds,” Rosa says. “But it’s absolutely not the case. We should all be wearing SPF day in, day out.”
But why so? According to the NHS, sunburn can increase your risk of skin cancer. Plus, exposure to the sun causes ageing. From as young as 25-to-35 years old collagen, elastin and hyaluronic acid start to deplete, having a negative effect on the skin causing oxidative stress within the cells and accelerating the skin’s natural ageing process. By helping to stimulate, strengthen and support the skin and protect it from the sun’s rays, SPF comes in to save the day.
Winter worthy products to peruse
Matis Paris Sensi Cold Cream - Walking the dog early in the morning? Heading off for a run in minus temperatures? Then you’ll need an anti-cold barrier to cope with climatic conditions when the thermometer approaches zero. Matis Paris’ dermatologically tested delicate range has introduced a cold-fighting moisturiser known as the Sensi-Cold Cream which acts as a barrier to shield your skin from those freezing temperatures. “This moisturiser includes saffron flower which works hard to strengthen your all-important skin barrier which protects against free radicals,” Rosa explains. “While its soothing properties will leave your skin feeling supple and smooth.”
Matis Paris’ Cold Lip Balm - Beat the chill with Matis Paris’ velvety lip balm that comes with zero stickiness and a really lovely sheen. “Formulated with white beeswax, shea butter and camellia oil, this product is packed full of rich and essential fatty acids ideal for softening and nourishing,” Rosa adds.
Your winter-proofed skin is just an email or call away
Still unsure on what your skin needs? Rosa has more than 30 years’ experience in the industry so if you're happy to leave yourself in her hands, she will use her knowledge to combine the most appropriate elements and products for your skin.
Do get in touch to find out more via email or phone.
Or, if you’re hoping to stock up on some Matis Paris products, look this way.