Herbal Mint Toner Baxter of California (Left),
Men-Ü Matt Skin Refresh Gel (Right)
Wear Sunscreen: It
might be something you’re used
to bulk-buying in an airport
Boots, but sunscreen’s not just
for when you’re jetting off. Sure,
your skin’s got more of a chance
burning on a Caribbean beach
than driving through sheets of
rain at home in Blighty, but UVA
rays – the ones that age the skin
– are global, and present whenever it’s light out.
“Sunscreen isn’t just for
holidays, it’s for 365 days a year,”
says Eckel. “That’s irrespective of cloud cover, rainstorms,
hurricanes – once it’s daytime,
you need sunscreen.” Why? Because not only does exposure to
UVA rays cause deep lines, wrinkles and dark spots (just take a
look at this truck driver’s face),
but exposure to the sun can also
tamper with that ideal balance of
water, fat and protein mentioned
earlier, weakening your defences.
Opt for a sunscreen with
an SPF of at least 30.
Moisturise: With something that actually works. Not all
moisturisers are created equal,
so it pays to know which ones
will deliver on their promise once
winter comes knocking.
“Make sure you’re not using a cosmetic moisturiser that’s
all marketing and zero function,”
says Eckel. “Look for ingredients that are scientifically proven to work rather than buying a
product simply because the bottle looks nice or it smells really
‘masculine’.”
According to Eckel, ingredients shown to help maintain
the skin’s natural barrier function
include ceramides, phospholipids, cholesterol and squalene.
“These are fractionated lipids,”
she explains. “Those parts of oils
which the skin can actually use
to good effect.”
To save time – and clogging your face with more product
than is necessary – she suggests applying sunscreen in the
morning after cleansing, exfoliating and toning, and then a moisturiser before bed, after cleansing and toning. Simple.
Jack Black Double Duty Face Moisturis (L),
Bioderma Atoderm Creme (R)
can lead to drier skin,” says Dr
David Colbert, founder of New
York Dermatology Group and
the Colbert MD skincare range.
Supplement Your Skincare:
Combating winter’s cruelty isn’t
just about what you put on your
body, but what you put in it too.
According to Colbert, eating
foods rich in healthy fats and
protein – like white fish, Greek
yoghurt, almonds, green, olive
oil – can all help maintain your
skin’s natural barrier.
But it’s supplements that
are your secret weapon. Taking
vitamin D and omega-3 fatty acids daily helps maintain the skin’s
barrier, and reduce inflammation
respectively, says Eckel, who
recommends taking 2000mg vitamin D and 1000mg omega-3s
per day, the former with a food
rich in good fats, like a handful of
almonds.
Probiotics could also be
worth a punt. “A lot of the serotonin produced by the body
comes from the gut, and a lot of
new research shows the benefits
of maintaining good gut health –
like reducing the effects of rosacea and acne,” she says.
Colbert favours Glisodin supplements. “These contain high
quantities of the enzyme superoxide dismutase – a unique
cantaloupe extract which is a
powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory,” he says.
Save Water:Do your bit
for
the
environment (as well as
SPF 30 High Protection Malin + Goetz (L)
your skin and hair) by showering
Facial Fuel UV Guard SPF 50 + (R)
and/or bathing less often (within
reason – this isn’t leave to go full
Chuck Noland).
“I’d
recommend
one
Vitamin D3 (L)
shower per day during the winter
Platinum 100% Fish OIl (R)
Facial Moisturiser SPF 30 (L),
because bathing and soaps strip
Skin Defence Multi-Protection Essence (R)
the body of its natural oils, which
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