Everything outside appears to be coated in frost which, of course, means that winter is well and truly here. The change of season calls for special attention on your skincare routine. I have extremely dry, sensitive, dermatitis prone skin, which means I have to constantly moisturise it (day and night without fail, and sometimes during the middle of the day) in order to keep it hydrated and avoid rough, itchy, red patches. I love winter but my skin really does not, so I have to apply a few coats of moisturiser to make sure that it’s as protected as it can be from the harsh weather. As I’ve already mentioned, my skin is very sensitive so I don’t like to use many products on my face; my skincare routine is basically cleansing and moisturising, and that is absolutely it.
It’s incredibly important to only use products that actually care for your skin, rather than those that contain strong chemicals that can become harmful when used frequently. Even if you don’t have sensitive skin it’s best to use gentle products, as skin may become sensitive over time due to environmental factors, and lifestyle. Using only gentle products may prevent this from happening by maintaining the tolerance of the skin.
I’m going to give you a little information on the gentlest moisturisers for every skin type, so your skin can be as healthy as possible during this freezing winter weather. All of these products are suitable for sensitive skin, dermalogically tested, hypoallergenic, and contain minimal ingredients and no parabens. Expect a lot of French products; French skincare is the best when it comes to products that are both extremely gentle yet ultra-effective.
Normal and Dry Skin
Embryolisse Lait-Creme Concentre Nourishing Moisturiser 30ml, £12.99.
This has been a beauty cult classic since the 1950s. Used by dermatologists, makeup artists, models, and almost everyone else in the beauty industry, it is so gentle on skin that it can even be used as a baby-care product. It’s actually suitable for all skin types but after lots of testing (on my friends who all have different skin types) I’ve found that it’s particularly effective on normal and dry skin. This is my moisturiser of choice, and I’ve been using it for around two years. I think it’s safe to say that I love it. The formula looks and feels luxurious, and though it may look slightly heavy, it feels light glides on to the skin seamlessly.
A little goes a long way so if you have normal skin a tiny amount patted on the face should do just fine. For dry skin an even coat all over the face should be perfect, and for extremely dry skin a couple of coats all over the face should be enough to reduce the feeling of dryness completely. Due to my dermatitis, areas of my skin are sore and really red, and I find this product very soothing. The product is rich in fatty acids and vitamins which means that the skin will not only feel nourished and well-moisturised, but also firm and revitalised. Furthermore, the silkiness of the cream makes the skin slightly smoother (say bye to rough, dry, patches) so it can even be used as a primer.
Combination and Oily Skin
La Roche-Posay Effaclar H Soothing Moisturiser 40ml, £9.50. If you fall into this skin type category I know what you’re thinking: you have enough moisture on your face already and you really don’t need anymore. But it’s important to understand that excess oil is usually produced due to a lack of moisture, so if you moisturise regularly then your skin will actually stop producing as much oil. Even extremely oily skin can be dehydrated and La Roche-Posay understands this well.
The Effaclar range is specifically created for oily and combination skin types. This moisturiser is ideal if you use cleansing products in order to counteract the oil, but your skin is left feeling over cleansed and maybe even a little fragile. It’s very soothing which brings down any redness and makes the skin feel instantly healthier. It also soaks into the skin without clogging your pores and leaving you with that greasy film over your face. If you have combination skin, apply a small amount of the moisturiser all over the face and add a little extra onto the drier areas. If you have oily skin, apply only a thin layer. If you do have extremely oily skin, you’ll be pleased to know that a mattifying version of this moisturiser is also available.
Acne and Blemish Prone Skin
La Roche Posay Effaclar Duo+ 40ml, £15.50. Since French pharmacy brands like La Roche Posay hit the UK, this product has received some serious hype. La Roche Posay have acne and blemish prone skin figured out like no other brand that targets this skin type. Many acne treatments claim to ‘fight’ acne but the word seems way too aggressive to be associated with skincare, giving the impression that these products contain strong chemicals that are only harsh on the skin. Although the ingredients appear to be working at first, many people suffering with acne find that the products actually start making the acne worse after a while.
This moisturiser does have active ingredients that work hard but they don’t irritate the skin. Effaclar Duo is on the pricey side, however, it’s a treatment that aims to improve your skin so that you don’t need to use it frequently. The formula is soft, light and glides on smoothly. It can be applied all over the face or just on the problem areas, and you should control the amount of product that you apply according to how dry or oily your skin is. The reason this is an award-winning product is because it shrinks the size of spots by eliminating the moisture in and around them, without drying out the rest of your skin. It also helps fade red and brown blemishes, while reducing redness and unclogging pores. It’s hard to believe that regardless of being an effective product this moisturiser is even suitable for sensitive skin. This moisturiser also comes in a tinted version, so if you like to wear makeup you can also get a natural-looking coverage out of it. Extremely Sensitive, Intolerant Skin
Avene Tolerance Extreme 50ml, £13.50 If you have hypersensitive skin that reacts to literally everything that touches it (I feel your pain), then this may just be your only hope. The nozzle is blocked to ensure that the product inside remains sterile. Apply a layer of this all over your face and your skin should be protected from your hands, objects, weather, smoke, the air and everything else that causes it discomfort.
This moisturiser comes in two different versions, one tailored for normal to dry skin which is the ‘Cream’, and the other tailored for combination to oily skin which is the ‘Emulsion’. The ‘Cream’ is thick and rich in consistency, whereas the ‘Emulsion’ is thin and light. After applying to the face, skin feels instantly rehydrated and much softer, while also soothing any irritation or itchiness and reducing redness. Even if the moisturiser doesn’t work miracles for you it will definitely make your skin feel way more comfortable and slightly easier to deal with.
Edited by Jess Shelton
Sources:
http://drwhitneybowe.com/winter-skin-secrets/
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