Hi guys! It's been a while since we last talked hasn't it and I think it is fair to say that this whole Leaving Cert thing is taking its toll. It is so bitter that my time is literally taken up with school work and study that I struggle to find inspiration for prettyinpeach, but I am determined to beat school in this battle and produce just as much material as it does homework.

So, while it downpours outside at what has to be at least -100 degrees, I am snuggled up in my onesie waiting for X Factor to appear on my TV and I am going to guide you through looking after your skin in this horrible, bleak and numbing weather, which pretty much describes Ireland's four seasons.

Skin becomes particularly sensitive during the winter months. The cold weather, as well as the wind and rain, tend to dry out the skin leaving it feeling uncomfortably tight and prickly. Fewer lipids are produced on the skin's surface in winter, (my biology lessons coming in handy!), and consequently the skin barrier becomes increasingly uneven. The epidermal cells lose their capacity to retain water and the skin becomes dry and feels uncomfortable with tight, pulling sensations. Skin can become chaapped and cracked allowing external irritants that cause itchiness to penetrate the skin.

Here is a few simply and easy to remember tips to keep your skin hydrated this winter:

1. Thread Carefully
Use gentle, soap-free skincare products for your cleansing routine. If you use products that are too harsh, your skin can become extremely dry and feel very uncomfortable.

2. Get In The Shower
A shower is better for your skin than a bath, which tends to dehydrate the skin. Ensure the water is lukewarm rather than hot.

3. Pat Skin Dry
Rinse well to eliminate all traces of the cleansing product. Dry your skin by gently patting your legs, chest and arms with a towel. Avoid aggressive rubbing.

4. Moisturise Daily 
After gently drying, use a suitable cream to effectively moisturise your skin and restore the hydrolipidic layer. Be sure to really massage in your moisturiser to get the most out of it.

                                                                        (source)

With all of this in mind, make sure you have a really thick moisturising hand cream with you during the winter. After you wash your hands, trap in the hydration with a moisturiser. Always have a good lip balm on your person for the slightest hint of chapping. I highly recommend the legendary Carmex moisturising lip balm. It has never let me down on a cold and frosty morning.

                                                                     (source)



Build A Barrier
If your skin is damaged in any way - burned, cracked, post-treatment or post-wax - and it needs some extra protection, a barrier cream is a great way to minimise further damage. A product like A-Derma Epitheliate AH Skin Repair cream for damaged skin prevents further damage and aids healing, and for only €8.49, it's a bargain in a tube!

Preparation Is Key
The single best thing you can do in preparation for the colder months is switch to a richer moisturiser or introduce a night cream if you're not already using one.

Using oils on your skin when in the bath or shower is a great way of trapping hydration in the skin because the extra humidity is captured by the oil.

If you like to spend time outdoors in the cold winter months, especially if you're running, cycling or exercising, use an extra thick moisturising layer to protect your face. Bitterly cold wind can be just as ageing as sun exposure.

Skin can become more sensitised at the change of season too. Lovely as it may be steeping in from the freezing cold and heading straight for the roaring fire to warm up, it's best to avoid sudden changes in temperatures as they can cause irritation and dehydration.

Hands, nails and lips are particularly susceptible to drying out in the cold. Don't forget your gloves and use a rich multi-tasker.

I hope this post helped you to take better care of your skin or even get you stared from scratch. Either way I would love to know if it helped you and let me and your fellow peaches know if you have any other advice or tips on winter skincare.

                               

I'd also like to let you know that after my next post I am going to be taking the 09 out of my blog URL making it 'prettyinpeach.blogspot.ie' just simply to make it easier to find my blog by just searching the name. Don't panic if you can't find my blog after my next post, just take out the 09 and be sure to keep a look out on my twitter (@sammiedempo) for the change!

As always, thank you so much for reading!

Samantha x