DOS
Do use SPF even when it still seems like winter! Wind and sun are one dynamic (and evil) duo for the skin. So when freezing temperatures and biting winds have left your skin dry, agitated, and pretty much in the fetal position, UV rays have a clear shot at your skin. Using SPF lotion all year round will add moisture to your skin and make it less prone to lines and wrinkles.
Do keep things natural. Lotions using as many natural ingredients as possible are best as the skin can get very delicate during winter. Use a Herbal Steam room if you are looking to shed your winter weight. Herbal Steam rooms accelerate weight loss and a single steam session can burn as many as 600 calories!
Do exfoliate. Central heating and icy weather play havoc with your complexion, making your skin look dull and feel horribly dry. Using an exfoliating scrub can help to shed dead skin to reveal softer, fresher skin.
Do look after your hair. It’s not just your skin that gets neglected throughout the winter. During the colder months, hair can get dry and brittle from lack of vitamin D, so make sure you give your locks some love and attention once in a while too.
DONT’S
Don’t exfoliate too much as this can dry out your skin. This then can lead to the skin getting too oily as it tries to recover from being stripped. It is best to exfoliate your skin once a week.
Don’t just wrap up under warm layers and forget about looking after your body and skin during colder months. Harsh cold weather drains out the moisture in skin, however a body lotion will rehydrate and rejuvenate this.
Don’t stress. Massage is a proven powerful stress reliever which not only helps you unwind but can also help with long-term anxiety issues.
Don’t stick with the same products all year around. You may have found a moisturizer that works just fine in the summer. But as weather conditions change, so, too, should your skin care routine. Find an “ointment” moisturizer that’s oil-based, rather than water-based for the colder months, as the oil will create a protective layer on the skin that retains more moisture than a cream or lotion. (Hint: Many lotions labelled as “night creams” are oil-based.)
Lyndsey Jackson-Guy is the manager at The Club Spa
