Winter skin survival guide

Nov 3rd 2009 By Ella Esmeralda

Winter skin survival guide

With cold winter months just around the corner, now is the time to keep your skin nourished, hydrated and protected. And while it's tempting to cover up with woolly tights and long sleeves and forget your body underneath, that Christmas party will come around sooner than you think!

Follow our tips to keep your skin in tip-top condition and ready to glow in that LBD...

Don't dry out
Central heating zaps moisture from the air and can dry out sensitive winter skin. Try putting a bowl of water by the radiator, or turn the temperature down a little and open a window to allow moisture into the room. Remember to drink plenty of fluids to keep hydrated. Herbal teas such as cinnamon, ginger and orange will help stimulate the circulation.

Winter calls for a new moisturiser
A good moisturiser is a must in winter. Look out for the new high tech products that have an oil-free organic silicone base. These 'velvet' moisturisers melt on contact with the skin and form an invisible barrier to prevent water loss. For ultra-dry skins, opt for a heavy weight cream with shea butter or evening primrose oil for extra nourishment.

Get ready to glow
You've splashed out on a gorgeous LBD for the Christmas party, so you'll want gorgeous skin to go with it. If your skin is lacklustre, don't panic - you can put the Brillo pad down and move away from the industrial strength exfoliator!

Putting the glow back into your skin isn't as arduous a task as it sounds, or for that matter, as expensive. Get the spa experience in your own home with The Sanctuary Deluxe Beauty Box from Boots, £35, which looks fantastic and contains everything you need.

Exfoliate like a pro
Aim to exfoliate at least twice a week and use an exfoliating mitt every day during winter months. Remember to rehydrate exfoliated skin with a boost of moisture.

Start by dry body brushing from the toes up. This stimulates lymph flow helping to drain waste from the tissues while at the same time removing dead skin. Apply a blob of exfoliating scrub or salts and massage skin with a damp mitt.

Be careful not to scrub too hard, if skin goes bright red you need to apply less pressure. Rinse off in the shower and follow with a luxurious warm bath with added essential oils to help re-moisturise the skin.

Next, lather on a rich body lotion to help lock in moisture. Body lotions with essential oils are a good choice – look out for lavender, geranium, pachouli oil and ylang ylang, which help to soothe and nourish the skin. Goodworks Good Looking Body Lotion, £8, from Boots is a great budget buy.

Finally, apply a touch of colour in the form of a graduating self tan body lotion for a gorgeous healthy glow.