In winter, dry skin becomes drier and mild sensitivity can become persistent. Dehydration starts with lipid loss - lipids are the natural fats that make a protective barrier on the surface of the skin. As skin ages, lipid production slows, and when the central heating is on, water is lost from the skin, sometimes more than half a pint a day. That's when inflammation sets in.
Use a gentle cleanser. It can take your skin up to eight hours to repair the lipid loss caused by incorrect cleansing. Swap harsh soaps and foaming cleansers, which can strip the skin's natural oils, for nourishing oils and balms, or the lighter micellar oils.
Supplement your skin's own lipids with a good facial oil. Incorporate healthy fats such as oily fish, avocado, nuts and seeds into your diet.
Shed the dead cells. When the old cells dehydrate, they don't shed as quickly as they should, and create a physical barrier that skincare struggles to penetrate. But take care to exfoliate with gentle products and not more than once a week.
Hot baths and central heating can cause 'winter itch' on the body. Keep baths warm rather than hot, and use lotion style body washes rather than foaming products. Put on body cream just before bed, as woollen day clothes can absorb oils and lipids from moisturisers.
Ditch heavy creams. Using a hyaluronic acid serum under your moisturiser will deliver more hydration than a winter-weight cream. It is also useful to use a good hydrating mist after cleansing and before applying moisturiser, and when you come in from the cold and skin feels tight and dry.
Source: Item in Good Housekeeping, Feb. 2018
