Ready, set, glow!
Whether your skin is on the oily, combination or the dry spectrum, winter is the toughest season for it.
Our largest organ, it's also our most visible and nothing triggers flaking, cracking and a generally dull appearance more than indoor heating and the chilly winds that accompany the coldest season.
"Winter is difficult for the skin due to factors such as heating, drinking less water and having extra hot showers - all of which are very dehydrating for the skin," says Tegan Hall, spa manager at Bodhi J Health + Beauty Spa, Wembley.
Keep hot showers short, up the moisturiser ante, drink about three litres of water every day and avoid dehydrating drinks such as alcohol and those with caffeine.
"Feeding the skin from the inside is the best cure really, so staying hydrated is always a good thing. Remember to always moisturise no matter how cold it may be after a shower as retaining moisture in the skin is so important for its luminosity," Miss Hall says.
Anna Murphy, owner of Annasha Day Spa Retreat in Gooseberry Hill agrees: "The skin's moisture levels are constantly depleted by indoor heating and fireplaces we love to snuggle up in front of - all of which conspire to decrease the skin's cellular turnover, making way for a dull, dry complexion that flakes."
Suzey Luong, owner of Vanity Box Beauty Ateliers says winter is the ideal time to have your skin analysed by a skin specialist.
"A trained professional can help prescribe exactly what your skin needs, help refine your skincare regimen and give you advice on the skincare products and treatments you should be using to keep your skin looking its best in winter," Mrs Luong says.
"I also advise clients to incorporate a hydrating at-home facial into their skincare regimen. Doing this once a week helps avoid dryness in winter."
Try this DIY winter facial
1. "Start with a double cleanse - the first cleanse removes 'the day' from the skin, while the second cleanses the skin for gentle exfoliation, leaving it soft, soothed and radiant," Mrs Luong says.
2. "Use a gentle face and body scrub with dampened hands - massage gently onto the skin, then remove with pre-soaked cotton pads. "Properly exfoliated skin allows serums and moisturisers to penetrate more effectively.
3. "Apply a generous layer of a hydrating mask for instant moisture and replenishment of the skin's natural barrier function. Leave it on for 10-15 minutes, being careful not to get it too close to the eyes or mouth. Remove it with lukewarm water or pre-soaked cotton rounds.
4. "Lastly, apply a hydrating serum, followed by a moisturiser, to maintain moisture in the skin and strengthen and repair its barrier function."
