Dry skin in winter is something many of us suffer with. Bitterly cold weather teamed with central heating, hot showers and inconsistent skincare can all contribute to dry patches and flakes – all of which makes applying makeup and feeling good that little bit more difficult…
Where is your dry skin and what could it mean?
Dry Skin Around Eyes and Eyebrows
Potential causes:
- Cosmetic or makeup irritation
- Allergies
- Seborrhea
Dry Skin Around Nose
Potential Causes:
- Cold weather
- Intense dry heat such as central heating
- Harsh soaps or makeup removers
- Wintertime colds causing a running nose
Dry Skin Around Cheeks
Potential Causes:
- Environmental factors – sun exposure and windburn can both cause the skin on your cheeks to become dry. Remember that even in winter the sun still shines brightly. Wear a high sunscreen factor and arm yourself with a super rich moisturiser for daily (and nightly!) use.
Dry Skin Around Mouth
Potential Causes:
- Dehydration – water in the winter is your BEST FRIEND. Yes, you may only feel like a warming coffee or hot choc, but keeping skin hydrated from the inside out is more important than ever. Fill up that water bottle.
- Lip plumpers/chapped lips
- Perleche (that’s excessive lip-licking!) You know the feeling, you’ve licked your cold lips, the wind dries them out… the cycle repeats. Ouch.
Skincare tip.
If you want to tell if your skin is a medical issue or a seasonal one, try moisturising the skin every day and night for one week. If it’s still dry and patchy by the end of the week then a trip to your dermatologist or beauty therapist might be advisable to get extra information.
Prepping your dry skin for makeup
- Exfoliate (gently!) to sweep away dry skin cells from the surface
- Serums are your friend – try to choose a fast-absorbing one so your skin gets instant hydration
- Prime! A good primer can work miracles for dry skin – blurring pores and imperfections
Choose the right makeup formula
- Think of your dry skin flakes as tears and choose only liquid or cream makeup. Matt makeup will only exacerbate the look of your dry skin so steer clear!
- Go lightweight. Applying makeup with a heavy hand to dry skin is the best way to make it worse rather than better. Choose a lightweight creamy or liquid formula and apply with a damp beauty blender to keep skin from flaking. This applies to your blusher, bronzer and concealer too.
What NOT to do if you have dry skin
- Avoid using your fingers. Using your hands to apply makeup will absorb much of the moisture needed by your skin. Stick to a synthetic makeup brush or the beauty blender mentioned above.
- Powder, it’s a no. Stay away from powders, unless you must use a little around your T-zone. Oil blotting sheets are a much better way to tackle any oily areas.
- Waterproof formulas… no thanks! Skip waterproof formulas as they suck out skin’s moisture, which will lead to flaking.
Prevention and cure. Microdermabrasion for Dry and Dull Skin.
Microdermabrasion is your dry skin’s best friend. If your dry skin is seasonal rather than medical, then a trip to see a SkinBase beauty therapist should be your next step. Normally skin renews itself approximately every 28 days. By removing dead skin cells from the top layer of the skin, SkinBase microdermabrasion speeds up the rate at which the skin would normally renew itself – ridding you of tired and dull patches and revealing new, fresh skin and giving a radiant glow.
Want to give it a go? Find your nearest SkinBase therapist, here.
image:istock.com/charnsitr
