With the changing season should also see a change in your skin care routine; your skin has to battle against constant temperature changes from the cold weather outdoors to the warm central heating indoors, causing water to evaporate from the skin to leave it dry and dehydrated. For some people, the effects of this can mean dull, tight and uncomfortable skin while other reactions can be more severe, from flakiness, chapping or sensitivity to aggravated eczema.

To give your skin a fighting chance, follow our autumn/winter skincare guide to healthy, glowing skin.

Defence from within
Water: The first way to hydrate your skin is with water. Not on your skin, but drinking it to hydrate your skin from within, keeping it plump, smooth and glowing. Follow the 8 glasses a day rule and your skin will thank you for it.

Essential fatty acids: Essential fatty acids are exactly that: essential. They are essential components to your body’s health and yet they are not produced naturally by the body, so you need to make sure you get them from the food that you eat. Essential fatty acids (omegas 3, 6 and 9) keep skin cells healthy and functioning properly and help to produce the skin’s natural oil barrier, to keep it hydrated, protected and free from inflammation. Essential fatty acids can be found in food such as avocadoes, nuts, seeds, certain oils and oily fish so make sure your diet is rich in these.

Product suggestions: Udo’s Choice Ultimate Oil Blend is an easy and convenient way of getting the optimum amount of omega 3, 6 and 9 essential fatty acids in an ideal ratio for the body. Simply drizzle 3-4 tablespoons on to your food daily.

Cleansing
Autumn/winter skincare routines are all about providing moisture to the skin, so the last thing you want to do is take the moisture out during cleansing. Swap foaming cleansers (which can strip moisture from the skin) in favour of a gentle cream or balm cleanser. If your skin is oily, just look for a formulation suitable for oily skin.

Product suggestions: The Organic Surge Cleansing Lotion;  is an amazing value organic cleanser that is gentle and hydrating. Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm dissolves dirt and grime from the face, which can then be washed away with the wash cloth included in the pack.

Serums and oils
Send in reinforcements with a high performance serum (day) and facial oil (night), to give your skin a much-needed boost of nourishment and extra protection. A decent serum contains a cocktail of vitamins and nutrients to revitalise your skin – choose a natural serum rather than a silicone-based version to get the most out of your product.

Facial oils are also a fantastic way of feeding the skin and boosting hydration, but are best left for night-time use to prevent your make-up sliding off your face during the day. Different oils treat different skin complaints, but all tackle hydration wonderfully. Even oily skin can use facial oil; just choose a suitable one for your skin type.

Product suggestions: Elemental Herbology Cell Food Serum contains a powerhouse of proteins, vitamins and anti-oxidants for radiance and vitality. Melvita Beauty Oils are renowned for their reparative properties, ranging from Argan Oil for skin repair to Evening Primrose Oil for mature skin.

Moisturising
Twice-daily moisturisation is essential to tackle the winter dryness blues – no slacking! Choose a day cream with a rich formula to leave a protective, hydrating layer across the skin, and use an intensive night cream before bed. UV protection is still important in cold weather – even though you can’t see the sun’s harmful rays they are still there, so make sure your day cream contains an SPF.

Product suggestions: Antipodes Vanilla Pod Hydrating Day Cream is a luxuriously rich formula that still absorbs into the skin easily, while the Antipodes Avocado Pear Nourishing Night Cream harnesses 100% pure avocado oil for intense hydration.

Treatments
Once a week, treat your skin to a gentle exfoliation to remove any dry, dead skin from the surface and boost circulation. Follow with an intensive face mask (avoiding drying masks like clay) for an instant hydration boost. This process will not only leave your skin smooth and radiant but will also help maximise the results of your daily skincare routine.

Product suggestions: Origins Modern Friction is coarse enough to exfoliate efficiently while still being gentle on sensitive skin. The Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm doubles up as a rich face mask – just slather onto the face for 10 minutes for an indulgent treat.


Article by Jenni Retourné of Style with Substance. With a career in the beauty industry spanning almost a decade, Jenni has a huge interest in health and nutrition, believing that everything you eat has an effect both on the outside and inside.