A certainty of winter, aside from higher energy bills and picking up at least one cold, is that our skin takes a hit from the harsher weather. From windy walks and chilly commutes to hotter showers and central heating, it’s a drying time of year for complexions.
So, if your skin is noticeably drier than usual at the moment, I’m here to share some of the skincare tips I’ve picked up over the course of my beauty-editor career to help you course correct during a cold snap.
The good news is that this doesn’t require you to overhaul your existing skincare regime and buy an entire new roster of products. Chances are that it’s simply a case of investing in one multipurpose item or building habits that’ll help to soothe winter-whipped skin. Here’s what you need to know…
1. Don’t just correct, protect
It’s often better to be proactive than reactive in life. Rather than waiting until your hands are actually dry and cracked, for example, apply hand cream before leaving the house to help shield skin from the elements. Consider using a richer moisturiser at this time of year, too, to give your skin an extra layer of nourishment in the mornings and/or overnight.
2. Use something richer on dry patches
You may find that your facial moisturiser and hand cream aren’t cutting it on particularly dry patches of skin, so it’s worth having a thicker balm on standby.
Ask any beauty editor to reel off the most iconic beauty products of all time and you can almost guarantee that Elizabeth Arden’s Eight Hour® Cream Skin Protectant will feature – it’s ideal for dry and chapped skin. The rich formula is clinically proven to strengthen your skin barrier in just 30 minutes* and can be used on skin, lips and even brows. There’s a reason why one is sold every minute** around the world…
3. Layer up on lip balm
I’m sure I don’t need to tell you that lip balm is a key part of a solid skincare routine all year round, but applying something nourishing and reparative is all the more important to counter drying winter weather. Keeping a lip balm on your bedside table is a good reminder to layer it on before going to sleep, to protect and nourish dry lips overnight. Eight Hour Cream actually doubles as a lip balm – but if you aren’t keen on the thought of applying the signature scent to your lips, choose the subtler Lightly Fragranced option. And you don't need us to tell you it's worth carrying a lip balm with you at all times – for teeny handbags or pockets, the Eight Hour Cream Lip Protectant Stick has all the joyful benefits of the signature cream but in a handy size tailored for lips (and includes SPF too).
4. Moisturise on the go
It’s important to have your dry-skin solutions on standby at home, but also smart to carry products such as hand cream and lip balm with you, so you can reapply as needed throughout the day, wherever you are. Doing so will help to keep your skin nourished, particularly if you’ll be spending any time outdoors. Apply hand cream after every time you wash your hands, and both hand cream and lip balm before heading outside to keep skin’s moisture levels in check.
5. Don’t forget cuticle care
Winter weather can leave your cuticles looking drier than usual. Any manicurist will tell you the importance of oil for healthy nails and to preserve the life of your manicure, but applying it daily will also nourish parched nail beds. (Bonus: Elizabeth Arden’s Eight Hour Cream works as a cuticle balm, too.) It’s a habit your skin and nails will thank you for.
Discover more at elizabetharden.co.uk
*Based on a clinical study of 14 women between the ages of 18-65.
**Sold directly to consumers, retailers, stockists and distributors between Jan 2022-Dec 2022, globally
