WINTER SKINCARE TIPS

INCREASE YOUR EFAS

Now that the snow has been howling down our London streets we must take extra care of our skin. Icy cold wind strips away at your skin’s natural oils (the intercellular lipids which protect your NMFs (Natural Moisturising Factors), leaving skin unprotected causing increased transepidermal water loss and dehydrated, leading to red and raw skin, which can further lead to fine lines. A great way to combat those effects is to boost the skin with Essential Fatty Acids both topically and from the inside, which will help repair the skin’s lipid barrier and leave your skin both protected, feeling more supple as well as looking healthier and glowing. Switch to balms and oils that are rich in Essential Fatty Acids (EFAs) (rather than creams and gels), such as Oskia’s Perfect Cleanser, a rich balm containing Omega 3, 6 & 9. Massaging balms and oils into your skin will also increase blood circulation bringing nutrients to cells and will leave skin with a healthy glow. Boost your intake of EFAs internally by eating lots of cold water fish, using olive oil and snacking on walnuts, which are always around at Christmas. Salmon is often hailed as the skin supper food as it is a fantastic source of protein, Vitamin A, D, B3, B12, B6 and the minerals phosphorus, potassium and magnesium. It is also the best known source of Omega 3. Hot fillets of smoked salmon gives this usual summer fish a winter twist. Serve Salmon with a vegetable rich in Vitamin C to really be the ‘complete skin deal’.

BOOST HYDRATION WITH A NIGHT CREAM

Extra-hydration At Night If you’re not using a night cream already, winter is a good time to start as the drop in temperature, wind, diet (people tend to move towards less fresh fruit and vegetables in winter to more comforting, starchier vegetables and richer meats), all put extra pressure on the skin. Your skin is also its more active in the regenerating department at night. A night cream rich in anti-inflammatory actives such as Butterbur or MSM, Omegas and extra hydrating boosters are a must. Oskia’s Bedtime Beauty Boost is not only packed with toning, smoothing and radiance boosters such as milk peptides, Niacinamide and anti-inflammatory MSM, which also strengthens the skin’s support structure, but also Omega 3, 6 & 9, Triglycerides, Hyaluronic acid and Phytosterols to plump up skin, repair the lipid barrier and provide long lasting hydration throughout the night when your skin looses most moisture, which isn’t helped by overzealous central heating!

INCREASE CELL RESPIRATION

Look for energy boosting serums that work by increasing cell respiration to give a natural glow. For a natural glow without turning to fake tan, use a radiance boosting serum that works on a cellular level as well as using light reflecting pigments. In addition to natural light reflectors, Oskia’s Get Up & Glow uses a natural sugar called Ribose which increases cell respiration and the cell’s ATP energy to increase cell processes, leading to healthier skin in the long run, and in the short term gives an immediate healthy pink glow. It also contains butterbur to reduce redness caused by cold weather, Hyaluronic acid and biosaccharides to provide long lasting hydration, and powerful antioxidants Immortelle Blue, Vitamin E as well as prebiotics and wrinkle smoothing milk peptides.

PROTECT YOUR HANDS

Hands are one of the great indicators of age and come under extra strain during the winter, especially if you suffer of bad circulation. Hands can also become red and chapped. Throughout the year I always massage in any unused face creams into my hands, but during the winter I add a good few extra doses in the morning and at night. You might use more of a beloved cream, but in the long run your hands will thank you.

PREBIOTICS

Prebiotics to give your skin further protection. Wind and cold also strips away at another of the skin’s protective layers - the Acid Mantle– a mixture of sebum and sweat which inhibit the growth of bacteria due to its pH level of 5.5. Soaps and harsh detergents also strip away this layer and can change the pH of the skin. Therefore either using products with a pH of 5.5 or containing prebiotics will help protect the skin from bacteria during cold and windy spells when the skin’s lipid barrier is under attack. Prebiotics feed the good bacteria on the surface of the skin to the detriment of bad bacteria. (Oskia uses the prebiotic Oligosaccharide in the Nutri Active Day Cream).