Winter has arrived here in Aus and the skin makes its transition from a fresh, dewy, moisture-rich complexion to one that is dehydrated, flakey and needs extra care.
The drop in temperature mixed with the lower humidity is responsible for stealing the moisture in the skin and it isn’t in any way helped by the increase of hot showers, heaters, indoor living and lack of daylight hours, all of which contribute to that unfavourable chapped skin and weather-beaten complexion.
Don’t be discouraged if you’re already feeling the effects of the season as it’s all too easy to forget that our skin needs that little extra TLC during the cooler months. One handy tip for keeping up with your daily skin needs is to take note of when the layers of clothing increase as this is an easy indicator that your skincare may need some additional layers too. This doesn’t mean simply layering the heaviest creams on the shelf, but rather a measured approach of adding a couple of additional replenishing and hydrating products to your regime (slightly more frequently) to minimise the skin’s negative reaction to the cooler months ahead. This gradual build of products is the most effective way to achieve that winter-strength skin glow and can be easily incorporated into your daily routine - It isn’t exclusive to a morning & night timeslot, rather you can keep your skin feeling hydrated with a spritz of rose water or a fews dabs of an oil or cream throughout the day that can be easily stored in your bag or desk drawer.
Knowing where to start and what to swap can be challenging enough so we’ve put together an F&F Winter Skin Essentials guide that will help quench and ease even the most persistent dry or dehydrated skin*.
*It is important to note that Dry Skin and Dehydrated Skin are two different skin types that should be treated separately.
- Dry skin is caused by low levels of naturally produced lipids and sebum (oil) which protect the skin and therefore can benefit from omega rich facial oil blends and thicker day creams to assist in building the natural protection between you and the elements.
- Dehydrated skin lacks water content and moisture caused mostly by external factors such as the weather, the environment, our diet and can contribute to dry skin if it is not treated. Hydration is key for this skin type - both internally and externally. Products containing Hyaluronic acid are particularly recommended.
Winter Skin Essentials
All Purpose - Passionate Skin Care Skin Food with Manuka Oil - This F&F favourite is a multi-purpose balm comprising of shea butter and deeply nourishing oils rich in essential fatty acids (vital for a healthy skin complexion) making it perfect for everyday use as a body moisturiser or as a nightly facial hydration hit. Skin Food was designed for those seeking to improve the overall health and complexion of their skin and when used regularly may help reduce the apperance of the signs of ageing, scars, eczema, psoriasis, stretch marks, sunburn and more.
Cleanser - Botani Olive Soothing Cream Cleanser - Botani's gentle cream cleanser is suitable for all skin types, including those with ultra sensitive/damaged skin. This cleanser moisturises and nourishes with incredible ingredients such as betaine and the triple power of olives - olive oil, olive leaf extract and olive squalene. Betaine is a natural sugar that is derived from sugar beets and helps to improve skin elasticity by strengthening collagen and providing deep hydration by locking in moisture and protecting skin cells.
Toner - Vanessa Megan Rose Water Toner/ Spray - It would be hard to find a more pure Rose Water than this certified organic Vanessa Megan™ Rose Hydrosol. Wonderful as a natural toner and spritzer, your skin will be hydrated and refreshed. It is perfect for travel and flights where your skin becomes dehydrated. Rose Otto Hydrosol ‘Super’ is produced using Bulgarian organic roses. Unlike most typical hydrosols, this is not a bi-product of essential oil distillation; instead it is produced exclusively for the highly fragrant rose water. In winter, we like to mist it throughout the day for a refreshing pick-me-up.
Serum - Black Chicken Remedies Love Your Face Serum Mini - An indulgent anti-ageing, skin boosting, super hydrating, plumping face serum! It’s highly concentrated so it deeply penetrates and continues to nourish the delicate skin on your face all day and night. It absorbs instantly allowing the skin to breathe as it works leaving a plumper, dewier and generally more youthful complexion. The freshness takes immediate effect, so it’s a great way to pep up the face before a night out. Can be used with or without a moisturiser.
Face Oil - Eco By Sonya Glory Oil - Another F&F must have this winter is this certified organic night and day treatment oil enriched with unique super seed oils such as Inca Inchi, Acai and Pumpkin Seed Oil. This specially formulated omega and antioxidant abundant oil instantly plumps and drenches skin without being heavy or greasy. It smoothes the complexion and is soothing for a variety of irritating skin concerns.
Exfoliator - Acure Brightening Facial Scrub - Exfoliating during winter is essential as our skin cells dehydrate and die out faster in the cooler months. By buffing away the dead skin cells on the surface increases the skin’s adsorption of products applied easing that common winter dryness and irritation. Acure’s facial scrub is both one of ours and your favourites. It contains organic sea kelp that gently exfoliates your skin while french green clay and organic lemon peel remove impurities from your pores. Organic chlorella growth factor and argan stem cells help stimulate new cell growth while providing a deep cleansing, brightening experience.
Moisturiser - Botani Olive Repair Cream - This intense moisturiser provides deep hydration to dry and ageing skin. With a high concentration of olive squalene it protects against free radical damage and premature ageing. This highly penetrative and versatile cream provides nourishment and hydration day and night. A must-have addition to the winter skin survival kit!
Mask - Madara SOS Moisture + Radiance Hydra Mask Mini - An instantly soothing mask for irritated, tight, dehydrated skin. Reduces skin tightness, comforts and helps prevent itching. With moisturising natural sugars, northern peony, linseed, nettle and hyaluronic acid it hydrates, replenishes and calms dehydrated and stressed skin to restore youthful radiance. Improves the look and feel of the skin providing instant and long-term results.
Lips - The Physic Garden Lip Balm Winter Lips - A beautiful nourishing lip balm from our favourite medicinal herb nursery. Contains peppermint and eucalyptus, perfect for the colder winter months. Hydrating with shea butter and rosehip, naturopathically formulated, creamy with a light gloss. Cracked lips will no longer be a concern!
Eyes - Australian Creams Kakadu Plum Eye Serum - This rejuvenating eye serum has been developed with vitamin C-rich Kakadu Plum and works to brighten skin and reduce the appearance of puffiness and dark circles. Formulated with Hyaluronic Acid to smooth and plump skin, Menthyl Lactate to cool and refresh and Niacinamide to reduce redness and inflammation. Suitable for all skin types.
We’ll have Part 2 of our Winter Essentials live next week detailing some immune boosting tips for surviving the chilly months ahead!
