Re-watching both series' of Spaced recently, I laughed when Tim berated Daisy, an aspiring writer/journo, about her lack of a job or any success with getting articles into print. "I can't pull another winter skincare dos and don'ts out of thin air!", she blustered indignantly.
Well, I can. My many women-hours of moisturiser testing have given me the perfect suggestions for winter ravaged skin and I'll be telling you a few of my favourites over the next week or so.
But in the meantime, a short summary of Winter Skincare Dos and Don'ts:
DON'T
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- do nothing in the hope that dry scaly patches will just get better on their owney-o
- stop wearing sunscreen - yeah, I know it's the winter, but that dull, watery light you're seeing? Yep, that means there are still UV rays about, so protect with an SPF15
- madly change your products daily - give anything new a chance to work, and that could take four weeks
- worry if you suddenly look like a raisin - it's most likely just dehydration and you haven't aged 20 years in two weeks
DO
- get a facial if you're suddenly finding your skin has gone bananas and you're just not sure why. A good therapist'll sort you right out and give you a good starting point from which to turn your skin around
- switch from lotions and emulsions to thicker creams and balms
- consider adding a hydrating serum to your routine
- remember to exfoliate off dry, dead skin two to three times a week
- add a weekly moisturising masque to your routine
- eat more oily fish, superfoods like pomegranates and berries, and get more eggs down you
