With its long, dark nights and changeable weather, the winter season is a great time to step back and re-evaluate how we treat ourselves, including our skin.

We want to make sure we take care of ourselves and our skin this winter, so we’ve enlisted the help of Jenny, skincare expert, to give us advice on tackling winter dryness, dull skin, and pesky breakouts.

Hi Jenny! Can I just start by saying, your skin looks amazing!

Thank you!

I’m going to need to know your full skin care routine, but first let’s go over the basics.

I’m ready – let’s do this!

Why is winter weather so tough on skin?

So many reasons. Everyone has a natural protective barrier on their skin. It keeps the skin balanced, holds moisture in, and blocks pollution. In winter the cold, dry air can strip this barrier away, leaving your skin dehydrated, irritated and vulnerable to environmental damage. Smog and other types of air pollution are everywhere, not just in big cities, and can damage your skin’s appearance. We want to keep it out!

On top of that, all the things we do to keep warm in winter – hot baths, central heating – can sap moisture from our skin as well.

So the challenge can be to find products that can address multiple issues. A product like Heliocare 360˚ Water Gel can help combat all these things. It is a lightweight SPF moisturiser that will protect your skin from pollution and is ideal for people with more sensitive skin. In the winter, that can be all of us! And it is packed with anti-oxidants, which we all need to protect skin health.

The new Heliocare 360˚ Pigment Solution is also an excellent choice, as it not only protects and hydrates the skin, but also helps to lift and prevent pigmentation from sun exposure of the summer months.

Apart from moisturizing, what’s your biggest recommendation for keeping skin healthy in winter?

Don’t skip your SPF in the winter months! The skin is still under attack from daylight even in the winter. UVA, visible light, and infrared-A are present and can damage collagen, DNA and skin health. They can even penetrate glass, so you should think about sun protection even when you’re indoors.

Finding a product that combines SPF with a high-quality moisturiser will keep your skin fresh and glowing in the short term while also preventing long-term damage.

Ok, so we should keep our good SPF habits from summer even when it’s cold and dark outside. Should we make any other changes to our usual skin care routine in winter?

Definitely. When the weather gets cold, our behaviours change – the way we exercise, what we wear. We need to think about changing things up for our skin as well!

Adding moisture back into your skin is important, but so is keeping it there in the first place. Using a gentle cleanser with balanced PH will help keep your skin’s protective barrier intact, allowing it to retain moisture. Harsher cleansers and over-washing can strip the skin of its natural oils and the good bacteria that we all need.

I also would recommend switching to a richer, more protective moisturiser in the winter months. Look for one with hyaluronic acid, glycerine, ceramides, and Vitamin E to really give your skin the care it needs.

And if you don’t already have vitamin C in any of your skin care products, consider adding it now. Your skin can start to look dull and sluggish during winter – vitamin C will help boost radiance and act as a powerful anti-oxidant.

Will using thicker creams cause breakouts?

This is a common worry, but if you use the right products your skin will thank you. Make sure that any products you use are non-comedogenic so they won’t clog your pores. For really dry skin, Heliocare 360° Fluid Cream is a great option because it provides tons of hydration without being greasy. And it layers really well if you are using it with other products.

Second tip – don’t forget to exfoliate, but don’t overdo it. Gentle exfoliation is best in winter, when our skin tends to be drier and more sensitive. Ditch the physical exfoliants for a chemical one that uses AHAs – chemical compounds that help loosen and remove dead skin without the need for scrubs. Try using one once or twice a week to prevent a build-up of dull, dead skin. You will look fresher and regular exfoliating will also help your skin absorb all your products, giving you better results.

This is fantastic, thanks for all the tips Jenny! And now the question we all want answered – what is your winter morning skin care routine?

A new firm favourite of mine is the new Heliocare 360˚ Age Active Fluid which combines protection with a triple hydrating complex to smooth and plump the skin. I also swear by another product from the makers of Heliocare called the Endocare RADIANCE C Ferulic Serum. It’s packed with collagen stimulators, anti-pollution technology and Vitamins C and E. Using these products together in the morning give your skin everything it needs to stay protected, healthy and glowing.