Winter is harsh on everything, especially your skin, with the plummeting temperatures and icy winds causing tight, scaly dryness that can exacerbate the effects of ageing, like wrinkles and lines. Exposure to dry air, heated buildings, and hot showers further strips moisture, prompting us to devise strategies to optimise moisture management in winter skincare routines.
Dr Des Fernandes, founder of Environ Skin Care says that with the change of seasons you may be experiencing dry skin. This can present as:
- Barely visible pores
- Rough texture with a dull complexion
- A lack of elasticity which creates a feeling of tightness
- Skin that is prone to sensitivity
- More prominent lines
Maintaining beautiful, healthy-looking, and hydrated skin during winter is achievable with these essential tips, from the skin professionals at Environ:
- Skin needs vitamin A
Your skin requires vitamin A all year-round, whether it’s winter or summer. Vitamin A is a vital nutrient that helps normalise and maintain healthy, resilient skin. Daily replenishment is essential to counteract skin deficiencies caused by UV exposure. Restoring optimal levels of vitamin, A brings your skin back to its healthiest, most beautiful state.
- Dehydrated skin lacks moisture
Prioritise giving your skin what it needs with scientifically formulated products. Products rich in vitamins and antioxidants help lock in moisture and strengthen the skin’s barrier function. Additionally, staying hydrated by drinking enough water throughout the day helps maintain hydration levels in both your body and skin.
- Dry skin lacks oil
Dry skin lacks oil in its outer layer. The skin needs a healthy balance of sebum to function optimally. Sebum acts as a natural barrier, retaining moisture and keeping the skin soft and smooth. When the skin doesn’t produce enough oil, it loses its ability to hold moisture, resulting in dry skin.
Environ’s highly acclaimed Hydrating Oil Capsules deliver a concentrated burst of vitamin-enriched hydration to combat dry skin.
- Tired-looking skin needs alpha hydroxy acids
Products formulated with alpha hydroxy acids rejuvenate tired-looking skin and restore a radiant appearance, while their gentle exfoliating properties refine the skin’s texture.
- Dry skin needs protection
Dry skin requires protection. Applying sunscreen, even in winter, helps shield your skin from the harmful effects of UV light and other environmental factors, while using Super Moisturiser provides barrier protection, supports the natural moisturising factor (NMF), and promotes naturally occurring lipids.
Creating a consistent twice-daily skincare routine will keep your skin nourished, hydrated and protected over the cold winter months.
About the author
M.B.; B.Ch;F.R.C.S.E.
Plastic Reconstructive Surgeon
After qualifying M.B.; B.Ch. at the Witwatersrand University, Dr Des became a fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons at Edinburgh. Following his training as a Cardiac Surgeon with Prof Christiaan Barnard, he started specialising in Plastic Surgery. His mentor was Dr David Davies who generously showed him the heights of creative plastic and cosmetic surgery. Dr Des started private practice with Dr David Davies in 1980.
Since about 1990, Dr Des concentrated on facial plastic, reconstructive and cosmetic surgery only. This is because he wanted to gain a more focussed experience in order to deliver the best results he could.
Since Dr Des Fernandes founded Environ Skincare in 1990, vitamin A has become the cornerstone ingredient in the Environ Skin Care philosophy. It is an essential skin nutrient that has to be replenished every day for skin to appear healthier and more resilient. The introduction of vitamin A into skin care formulations was a ground-breaking development. Dr Des Fernandes, rated amongst the top five plastic surgeons in the world, was a pioneer in this field in the 1980s, and was the the first to successfully use vitamin A and antioxidants in a cosmetic product.