At this time of year it really does feel like winter is going to go on forever. Don’t get me wrong, when we head in to winter i’m so there for cosy knits, dark evenings and eating nourishing comfort food. But then like, 4 months goes by and i’m totally over it! Bring on the spring!

Until then, life must go on and that means for me going outside, walking the dog, gardening and horsing about in all weathers. This can have a real impact on skin, especially coupled with the effect of central heating, warm fires, hot showers and a natural decrease in water consumption.

A lot of us reduce our water intake in the winter, even by choosing less water containing foods in the winter (does anyone actually eat salad past September?!) it contributes to less water going in.

One of my most asked questions is ‘what can I use on my dry skin’. My first answer always is…drink more water! Skin is best hydrated from the inside; products on the skin can only ‘hydrate’ (and only if they contain water plus other ingredients to help them permeate the skin) so deep, so it is best to hydrate from the inside whilst applying a barrier than will stop water loss; something like our Soothing Balm is brilliant to put on just before a cold, windy dog walk, to nourish the skin and prevent water loss.

Hot baths and showers, although really welcome after being out in the cold can actually strip your skin of its natural, protective oils leading to dry, irritated skin. If you are experiencing this, try turning the temperature down a notch, it should help!

Choosing products that contain natural, nourishing oils will also help skin stay healthy. Harsher products can interfere with the skin’s natural microbiome (the natural make up of bacteria on your skin) and so skin becomes irritated, dry and you can experience break outs. Sticking to more natural, gentler products help the skin stay balanced whilst nourishing and protecting in the cold.

Gentle, regular exfoliation can help slough off dead cells and give you your glow back. Just remember to patch test any new products and if you experience any irritation don’t use them! Gentle, clay based face masks, such as our rose face mask can also help to remove dead skin and product build up - just remember to only leave on for about 15 mins. Any longer and you run the risk of stripping too much oil from the skin and leading to…you guessed it…dryness and irritation.

Essentially, it’s all a bit of a balancing act and you need to find what works for you, your skin and your lifestyle but sticking with gentle, natural products, staying hydrated and protecting skin before going out in the cold should all help give your skin a winter glow!