Skincare Tips: Banish the Winter Blues

Cold weather can wreak havoc on the skin. Did you know that humidity levels in the air plummet when the temperature drops, even by as little as two degrees? This has a negative effect on the skin because there is less moisture in the air - resulting in dry, itchy and flaky skin.

There are a host of other factors that contribute to dehydrated skin, including- hours spent soaking in hot baths and showering in hot water. Interior heating in your home, office and car also lowers humidity levels, resulting in your skin losing moisture to the dry surrounding air. However, these negative effects can be overcome by using the correct, hydrating skin care products.

So what can one do to combat dry skin come the colder months?

It is essential to apply rich and hydrating skin care products on a daily basis - even twice a day, if you suffer from severely parched skin. When selecting a body moisturiser, opt for one with a thick and creamy consistency, as this will replenish any moisture that is lost through the skin, while helping to protect its surface. The Vaseline Intensive Care range triples moisture reserves and, while locking moisture into the skin, it allows dry skin to repair itself.

Ignore the often-repeated advice about ‘applying moisturiser to damp skin’. The moisture on your skin actually dilutes the cream – so, in effect, you’re applying a lighter film of moisturiser rather than the rich dose that the skin really needs. And remember to pay special attention to areas which are particularly prone to dryness like the hands, elbows and knees. Vaseline Petroleum Jelly: Original BLUESEAL would be a good choice for these areas, applied once or twice daily.

Investing in a humidifier will help to keep the skin soft and supple by replacing moisture that has been lost in the air. In winter, we tend to consume fewer liquids, often to the determent of our skin - so ensure that you hydrate regularly with herbal teas and water. Also be sure to include an array of fresh produce in your diet. Leafy greens, fruit and brightly coloured vegetables contain anti-oxidants and phyto-nutrients that defend the skin from free radicals (those nasty, unstable molecules that cause ageing) and rebuild the cells, making the skin more resilient.


By being aware of how to care for your skin when the cold sets in, you’ll no longer suffer from winter skin blues.