The sun’s rays wreak havoc all year round, no matter the weather. While it’s true that UVB rays are most prevalent and harmful during the hottest months of the year, they remain present in winter daylight at low levels. However, the most prominent forms of solar radiation in the winter months are UVA rays; these rays have longer wavelengths, which means they can penetrate deep down into the skin. Damage includes impacting collagen and elastin production, which makes our skin age prematurely. What’s more, visible light and infrared-A are also present all year round, leading to skin cell damage and a weakened skin barrier. That’s why it’s so important to protect the skin from sun exposure, every single day, whatever the weather.

How our skin reacts to winter

During the colder months of the year, our skin craves hydration along with protection. The most common irritants in winter are harsh winds and frosty air, coupled with the warm, dry blasts of central heating we face every time we step inside¹. This harsh weather can further exacerbate any sun damage symptoms, including dryness and sensitivity. This leaves many of us with dry, dehydrated and irritated skin throughout the winter.

That’s why we recommend opting for a lighter, fresher makeup look throughout the season. Christmas parties, festive drinks and fancy meals may call for smoky eyes and a red lip, but for the rest of wintertime, but by using fewer, better quality products, our skin can breathe and is much less likely to become irritated.

What are the benefits of using fewer products?

Paring down a heavy or extremely varied skincare routine can reap benefits for your winter skin. Not only will this save you money, but it’ll help to promote a healthier complexion. A trimmed-down skincare routine will boost absorption², limit irritation and mitigate moisture loss to the skin barrier, as well as ensuring you’re not over-exfoliating your skin. By using less makeup, too, you’ll allow your skin to breathe throughout the day and lessen the chances of blocked pores and breakouts.

Layering up too many products can have a detrimental effect on the skin. When we overload the skin, it can become dry and irritated³. That’s why it’s best to stick to a few key products that you know your skin agrees with. And don’t forget that some skincare takes its time to do its job effectively, so introducing new products or changing things up too often won’t give the epidermis enough time to completely renew and see the benefits.

Less is often more with our skincare routines, though there’s one area we should never scrimp on: sun protection.

Choose Heliocare 360° Color Oil Free Gel

We know that healthy skin starts with effective sun protection, even when it’s cold and cloudy outside. For year round protection, choose Heliocare 360°, our professional range of SPF products offering SPF50+ and PA++++ protection, with formulations to suit every skin type.

For a light and bright winter look, we recommend our best-selling Color Oil Free Gel. This popular multi-tasking formula provides beautiful, light, foundation coverage with a natural matte finish. The silky, easy-to-blend fluids are available in Beige and Bronze, so you can find, or combine the two, to create the correct shade to complement your skin. Color Oil Free Gel is ideal for all skin types, including spot-prone skin and sensitive winter skin. It’s a great choice for those who prefer to use fewer make up product, or who are keen on tinted moisturisers but want to enjoy more skincare benefits.

What really sets our Color Oil Free Gel apart from the rest is Fernblock, a patented plant extract that offers multiple levels of protection from the sun’s harmful rays. Not only does Fernblock boost the skin’s resistance to sunburn, but it protects against the full radiation spectrum, including UVA, UVB, visible light and infrared-A. In addition, Fernblock has been scientifically proven to accelerate the repair of DNA damage which in turn prevents the build-up of sun damage, as well as helping to prevent oxidative stress and increasing collagen and elastin production. Fernblock is a key ingredient in the entire Heliocare 360° range, and makes our Color Oil Free Gel stand out against a typical foundation or tinted moisturiser.

Shop for your Heliocare 360° Oil Free Gel in Beige or Bronze today and enjoy lighter, brighter skincare and makeup this festive season.