I have a theory dark skin is just not meant for the cold dreary weather. Oka,y so it’s not “my” theory but one loosely backed by scientific evidence. Darker skin is genetically built for warmer climates. It’s pretty obvious but darker skin contains more melanin creating a barrier and making dark skinned people less likely to get sun burn or develop skin cancer. It also means that darker skin can need a little extra help to cope with the colder climates. Here are 5 winter skincare top tips to keep your skin glowing this winter.
1. Moisturise, Moisturise, Moisturise
I can’t stress enough how important it is to get your moisturising routine on lock down. The cold air and central heating can wreak havoc with darker skin during the winter months causing it to become dry and cracked. The key is to lock in as much moisture as possible. Apply your moisturiser to damp skin within the first few minutes of coming out the shower, this will help to keep your skin baby soft and hydrated for longer.
2. Eat and drink well
Having great skin starts from the inside, nourishing your body with the right foods will shine through. Your skin is the biggest organ in your body and the best way to keep it hydrated is to drink lots of water, at least 2 litres per day. My tops tip is to get a reusable bottle and keep it in your bag or on your desk as a reminder to drink through out the day. It’s so easy in the winter to seek out stodgy comfort food but your skin will thank you for stocking up on leafy greens like kale and spinach as they contain an antioxidant carotene that aids the renewal and repairing of your skin giving it that youthful glow.
3. Oatmeal Bath
If you’ve never used oatmeal before as part of your skin care regimen it may seem out of place and frankly better suited to the breakfast table. Giving your tired limbs a soak in an oatmeal bath can really help to cleanse your skin and lock in moisture. Blend or grind whole oats into a fine flour. Pour into a pair of old tights or stockings and tie the ends off to secure, run a nice warm bath and steep your oat filled tights. All that’s left is for you to get in and relax.
4. Exfoliate Regularly
Darker skin has a more compact outer layer (dead cells) and needs to be kept free from build up of debris, which can cause bacteria. Regularly exfoliating will really help with this. There are couple ways to do this; you could use a body brush either wet or dry (brushing upwards towards your heart), a chemical exfoliator containing glycolic or salicylic acid or an exfoliation scrub which tends to be grainy. It’s recommended that you exfoliate two to three times a week that said if you have more sensitive this may be too much.
5. Invest In A Humidifier
A humidifier in simple terms is a little bit of kit used to put moisture back into the atmosphere. If you suffer from dry skin in the winter they can be a handy tool to combat the dreaded ashy patches. Just be aware you don’t want to emit too much moisture back into your room as it can cause mould. Humidifiers need to be cleaned regularly to ensure the do not grow bacteria, be sure to read the instructions on how do this properly.
Let me know in the comment section your tips for keeping your skin supple in the winter!