Dr Puneet Gupta, the skin expert from The Private Clinic of Harley Street, shares his top tips to help keep your skin in good condition for these winter months.
TURN THE HEAT DOWN
Limiting the use of indoor heaters will reduce the likelihood that your skin will dry out. Avoid taking a hot bath or shower and then sitting in a room with the heating on; this will dry the skin excessively.
INVEST IN A HUMIDIFIER
Using a humidifier is a good decision because this will help to counteract factors like central heating that can dehydrate the skin.
MOISTURISE!
In the winter, because of the low air humidity, fine lines on the skin will become more visible. It’s also more likely that the skin will crack and flake so using cream baths, rich in moisturiser, and adding a layer of face oil before moisturising can provide extra protection.
It’s important to moisturise regularly. This should be done not just on the face and neck but all over the body, paying particular attention to areas that are susceptible to becoming dry and irritated like the knees, elbows and hands.
LIMIT EXFOLIATION
Avoid over-exfoliating in the winter too, as this will make the skin become very fragile and the wind and cold weather will only make this worse. Over exfoliating and scratching the skin can also cause dermatitis, which will make the skin red and inflamed. A skin condition like this is likely to get worse in the winter, so if you do feel the need to exfoliate, do so gently and always moisturise afterwards.
STAY HYDRATED
One of the most important things is to keep hydrated. Without enough water, the skin is more likely to become dehydrated and look, and feel, dryer and delicate. The cold weather can actually thin areas of the skin, which can cause broken capillaries. Using a Glycerine based moisturiser is a good idea to tackle this, as these are not too greasy or thick but they hydrate and moisturise the skin over long periods.
FILTER YOUR WATER
A top tip of mine would be to drink filtered water, and place a water filter into the mains of your house. This means that the water you drink, wash your clothes in and take a bath or shower in will be softer and better for your skin all over. This can be particularly beneficial if you live in a hard water area, where you might not be aware of the damage your skin is being exposed to by the water.
WEAR SUN SCREEN
Finally, don’t think that because there is no sun, there is no risk of damage to your skin from the sun’s rays. Sunscreen should be applied all year round to provide a protective layer, which will act as a barrier against the extreme weather.
*All images, videos and testimonials are based on the personal experiences of our patients and represent individual body shapes and results. Results may vary from person to person. All testimonials are provided voluntarily by our patients and clients and all photos and videos have been consented to and have not been altered in any way.
COMBAT WINTER SKIN
WORDS: DR PUNEET GUPTA
Dr Puneet Gupta, the skin expert from The Private Clinic of Harley Street, shares his top tips to help keep your skin in good condition for these winter months.
TURN THE HEAT DOWN
Limiting the use of indoor heaters will reduce the likelihood that your skin will dry out. Avoid taking a hot bath or shower and then sitting in a room with the heating on; this will dry the skin excessively.
INVEST IN A HUMIDIFIER
Using a humidifier is a good decision because this will help to counteract factors like central heating that can dehydrate the skin.
MOISTURISE!
In the winter, because of the low air humidity, fine lines on the skin will become more visible. It’s also more likely that the skin will crack and flake so using cream baths, rich in moisturiser, and adding a layer of face oil before moisturising can provide extra protection.
It’s important to moisturise regularly. This should be done not just on the face and neck but all over the body, paying particular attention to areas that are susceptible to becoming dry and irritated like the knees, elbows and hands.
LIMIT EXFOLIATION
Avoid over-exfoliating in the winter too, as this will make the skin become very fragile and the wind and cold weather will only make this worse. Over exfoliating and scratching the skin can also cause dermatitis, which will make the skin red and inflamed. A skin condition like this is likely to get worse in the winter, so if you do feel the need to exfoliate, do so gently and always moisturise afterwards.
STAY HYDRATED
One of the most important things is to keep hydrated. Without enough water, the skin is more likely to become dehydrated and look, and feel, dryer and delicate. The cold weather can actually thin areas of the skin, which can cause broken capillaries. Using a Glycerine based moisturiser is a good idea to tackle this, as these are not too greasy or thick but they hydrate and moisturise the skin over long periods.
FILTER YOUR WATER
A top tip of mine would be to drink filtered water, and place a water filter into the mains of your house. This means that the water you drink, wash your clothes in and take a bath or shower in will be softer and better for your skin all over. This can be particularly beneficial if you live in a hard water area, where you might not be aware of the damage your skin is being exposed to by the water.
WEAR SUN SCREEN
Finally, don’t think that because there is no sun, there is no risk of damage to your skin from the sun’s rays. Sunscreen should be applied all year round to provide a protective layer, which will act as a barrier against the extreme weather.
