Winter is hard, not least on the skin. The fluctuation from the bitingly cold outdoors to the desiccated artificial heat of homes, shops and offices results in dehydration, dryness, and for some, can worsen existing skin conditions like eczema.
Maintaining your skin’s natural barrier should be a priority in your approach to cold weather skincare, but there is no reason it should cost an obscene amount. Basic winter skincare is primarily about protecting and soothing the skin.
If you are already suffering with flaking, itchy or severely dry skin, Bioderma Atoderm SOS Spray (from €9.95 for 50ml at pharmacies nationwide) is excellent. Anyone whose skin gets uncomfortably dry during the winter months can benefit from it. This light mist soothes and quickly diminishes the itching common to hot, dry skin that feels tight and sore, without the necessity to touch it at all.
This spray is effective and instantly comforting for the hands, legs, or any part of the body angered by wintry temperatures. For the face I have been incredibly impressed by former Glamour beauty editor Alessandra Steinherr's skincare collection for Penneys, which is effective and incredibly affordable for all ages and genders.
At this point, I might be accused of recommending the products a little too often – but they're such good value and so straightforwardly effective that I can't seem to stop – almost all the products in the range are impressive. Alessandra Steinherr X Primark Maximum Moisture Moisture-Locking Everyday Moisturiser (€6 at selected Penneys stores) is, though rather a mouthful to say, a reliable and cocooning simple cream that works for everyone.
It protects without congesting, and works well under makeup. For something with a little more punch to it for more mature skin, try Paula’s Choice Resist Anti-Aging Skin Restoring Moisturiser SPF 50 (from €10.95 at cloud10beauty.com). It is also comforting, but has a little more richness to it, which is beneficial for very dry and mature skin.
If you are inclined to move beyond the very basics, a glycolic acid product is especially good during winter because glycolic sensitises the skin to sunlight, making it trickier to use during periods of summer sun. Cranky winter skin does not enjoy physical exfoliation, but No7 Resurfacing Skin Paste (€22.50 at Boots) is a product I admit I initially dismissed as I’m fussy about acids and have high expectations for chemical exfoliants. However, this impressed me. It is not to be used on irritated skin, but will tackle the dull flatness that dehydration and central heating can impose on the skin. No elbow grease is needed – just pop it on for 15 minutes and go about your business.
Serums, being a treatment product, will always be the most expensive in your skincare routine. Avène Radiance Serum (€30 at selected pharmacies nationwide) is hydrating and brightening, but can be used even on the most sensitive skin without causing irritation. It works very well during the day or at bedtime and is comparatively great value for an effective, hydrating serum which counteracts the horrors of “radiator face”.
