Simone Gannon's six tips to save your skin this winter

Sat, 21 Oct, 2023 - 21:03

Simone Gannon

There's nothing like a change in weather to wreak havoc on our complexion.

The colder months can strip our skin of essential moisture, leaving it looking and feeling dry, dull and irritated.

Keep the elements at bay with Simone Gannon’s top tips for plump, hydrated, happy skin, no matter how low the temperature gets.

1. DOUBLE CLEANSE (WITH CARE)

As important as ever during the winter months, an effective double cleanse removes makeup and sunscreen and can help balance oil and reduce breakouts.

At this time of year, however, it’s a good idea to take a closer look at the products you’re cleansing with, as extra care is needed.

Sidestep exfoliating or slightly abrasive cleansers and focus on nourishing and soothing cleansers that calm and hydrate stressed-out skin.

Start with a balm or an oil cleanser to break down that first layer of makeup and sunscreen, and then follow with a gentle creamy cleanser to sweep away any remaining product and gently clean the skin.

Some of my favourite gentle cleansers are cream or milk-based and include Dermalogica’s excellent Micellar Prebiotic PreCleanse, Kate Somerville’s award-winning Goat Milk Cleanser and iS Clinical’s Warming Honey Cleanser.

Dermalogica Micellar Prebiotic PreCleanse

€54 from dermalogica.ie.

Kate Somerville Goat Milk Cleanser

€44 for 120ml from Brown Thomas.

iS Clinical Warming Honey Cleanser

€55 from drlauraclinic.ie.

2. EXFOLIATE LESS

An important part of every skincare routine, regular exfoliation sweeps away dead skin cells, smooths and softens the skin’s surface, and ultimately helps the other products in your routine work better.

As the temperature drops and we move into the colder months, our skin becomes much more susceptible to redness, irritation and general sensitivity. So, while we don’t want to stop exfoliating, we do want to reduce the frequency.

Once a week is more than enough in winter.

It’s also a good idea to look at the type of exfoliant you’re using. Some exfoliating acids we know and love, like glycolic acid, can sometimes irritate newly sensitive winter skin.

Look for gentler, sensitive skin-loving exfoliants, like polyhydroxy acid (or PHA). A longtime favourite of mine, PHA is exceptionally mild and delivers excellent results, but it works at a much slower pace so that you can avoid any irritating pitfalls.

Gentle PHA exfoliants to look out for this winter include Neostrata PHA Renewal Pads and Medi8 Press & Glow Daily PHA Exfoliating Tonic. Another great option is Dermalogica’s Daily Milkfoliant — a super gentle, milk-based version of its best-selling Daily Microfoliant.

Neostrata PHA Renewal Pads

€45 from meagherspharmacy.ie.

Medik8 Press & Glow Daily PHA Exfoliating Tonic

€35 from millies.ie.

€74 from dermalogica.ie.

3. SWITCH UP YOUR MOISTURISER

Just like we pack away summer layers and unpack our winter coats, it’s time to say goodbye to lightweight creams and say hello to thicker, more nourishing options that care for your skin when it needs it most.

A richer, more emollient moisturiser will help protect and repair your skin barrier and add a significant boost of moisture, keeping all the good stuff in and all the bad stuff out.

Think of it like a lifejacket for dry, flaking, irritated skin.

When searching for a new winter moisturiser, look for wonder ingredients like glycerin, ceramides, squalane and hyaluronic acid (or preferably, a combination of all).

Plumping, calming, repairing and hydrating, they provide immediate relief to parched skin.

Some of my favourite colder-weather creams include Naturium Plant Ceramide Rich Moisture Cream, Avene Tolerance Soothing Skin Recovery Cream and Dr. Jart Ceramidin Infused Ectoin Cream. (FYI, the entire Ceramidin range is a lifesaver for dry, dehydrated or sensitive skin. Worthy of investigation if you’re in the market for new products.)

Naturium Plant Ceramide Rich Moisture Cream

€39 from spacenk.com.

€24 from Boots.

Dr. Jart Ceramidin Infused Ectoin

€58 from Brown Thomas.

4. START SLUGGING

A great way to maintain a healthy skin barrier through winter is to ‘slug’ your skin. If you haven’t heard of slugging before, it’s essentially the process of slathering your skin in a thick occlusive balm or cream after your moisturiser.

One of the most popular products for slugging is Vaseline Petroleum Jelly.

I know, you probably haven’t used Vaseline since you were a kid — but hear me out. This is a wonderful approach to combat dry, tight, patchy skin in the winter months, and it’s a method that can also target specific areas — you don’t need to slug your whole face.

Treat those pesky dry patches on the side of your nose or forehead by only slugging this area.

Here’s what your nighttime routine will look like if you want to try slugging. Double cleanse as usual, then apply your hydrating or repairing serum, and follow with moisturiser.

Then, take a pea-sized amount of your slugging product of choice and apply a thin layer over the areas you want to treat, and that’s it.

Wake up in the morning with baby soft, hydrated, repaired skin. What’s not to love? (Maybe looking like a shiny snail before going to bed. It’s worth it, though. I promise).

A couple of slugging caveats: Keep your skincare routine simple. Don’t use any exfoliating acids before you slug your skin, as when trapped in the skin, they can irritate.

If you’re prone to breakouts, it might be best to skip slugging altogether. However, you can always use a thicker cream to get a similar effect.

Eucerin Aquaphor Soothing Skin Balm

€13.99 from Boots.

Vaseline Pure Petroleum Jelly

€2.69 from Boots.

Dr. Jart Ceramidin Cream

€17 from cultbeauty.com.

5. INTRODUCE A FACE OIL

Face oil can work wonders in the colder months, helping to boost moisture retention, keep your skin barrier in check and add glow and bounce to your complexion.

If you’re new to facial oils, a great way to slowly introduce one is by adding a couple of drops to your regular nighttime moisturiser one or two times a week. See how your skin responds and then increase as and when you need it.

Some of my go-to face oils include L’Occitane Immortelle Divine Youth Oil, Ground Wellbeing Talamh Restorative Face Oil (an excellent Cork-based brand), and Charlotte Tilbury Collagen Superfusion Facial Oil.

L’Occitane Imortelle Divine Youth Oil

€90 from L’Occitane.

Ground Wellbeing Talamh Restorative Face Oil

€44 from groundwellbeing.com.

Charlotte Tilbury Collagen Superfusion Facial Oil

€79 from charlottetilbury.com.

6. WEAR SUNSCREEN

One step in your summer skincare routine that will always make its way to winter is sunscreen.

Sadly, UV rays don’t hibernate in the colder months, so it’s important to continue wearing a broad-spectrum sunscreen every single day.

Hold off premature ageing for longer and protect your skin when it’s at its most sensitive by applying SPF on your face, neck and chest (and any other exposed areas of skin).

The other steps on this list are important for keeping your skin healthy and happy in winter, but the most crucial step will always be sunscreen.

Sunscreens I rate include Dr PawPaw Your Gorgeous Skin SPF50 Day Cream, Supergoop Play Everyday Lotion SPF50, and UltraCeuticals Ultra UV Protective Daily Moisturising SPF50.