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If you have dry skin, as autumn and winter approaches, you might find that your moisturiser isn't working as well as it was in the spring and summer (don't even get us started on the topic of foundation for dry skin). It can seem like a struggle to find the perfect, hard-working face cream that will sooth your rough, tight, and possibly even flaking complexion. That's where we come in. In addition to having tried pretty much every rich, hydrating cream on the market, we also got a little help from a few trusted dermatologists and clinical aestheticians who know a thing or two about treating dry, dehydrated skin.
Why, exactly, does skin get drier in the winter months? "Colder temperatures and wind make the skin more sensitised and cause capillaries to expand," explains Pamela Marshall, clinical aesthetician at Mortar and Milk in London. "We are also using radiators and heaters more often, which dehydrate skin, leaving it more prone to spots, sensitivity, and a slower healing capacity." And I don't know about you, but I generally get a little lazier with my routine in the darker months.
Dr Catherine Borysiewicz, consultant dermatologist at the Cadogan Clinic in London, explains that the consistency of the product during the cooler months is key. "For very dry skin during winter, use a thicker cream or ointment. For normal skin types a light cream, lotion, or gel is usually sufficient," she says. A note: when using these products always apply them in the direction of hair growth, as rubbing them the other way will plug hair follicles, and may lead to spots.
In addition to switching up moisturiser, we like to make sure we're also using a hyaluronic acid serum, which "draws moisture to the skin", says Borysiewicz, while Marshall likes to include l-ascorbic acid into her routine to reduce oxidative stress (the skin-ravaging combination of oxygen with free radicals). Oh, and she also stresses the importance of continuing to wear SPF come rain, shine, or snow
With unpredictable UK weather, you might want to invest in a richer moisturiser (especially in cooler temperatures) even if you don't consider your skin to be that dry. So before you start frantically ordering dozens of products online, consider switching up your moisturiser with one of these expert-recommended face creams — it might just do the trick.