Dear Ayrshire Skincare Family,
Sunday Supplement – Winter Skin Is Thirsty Skin
Why the colder months can leave skin feeling tight and uncomfortable — and how to give it a little more care
If you live in the north of England or anywhere in Scotland, you will have noticed the nights are drawing in. The air is cooler and the heating has been switched on just that little bit more often. A precursor to what is ahead of us.
This is a time of year when skin feels tight after washing. Cheeks become uncomfortable in a cold wind. Hands feel dry and rough, and lips seem to need attention almost constantly.
Winter skin is thirsty skin.
Not because you are doing anything wrong. Winter simply asks more of your skin.
Cold, dry air, wind, indoor heating and long, hot showers can all leave skin feeling drier than usual. The answer doesn’t have to be complicated. In fact, we think winter is a good time to return to the basics: gentle cleansing, sensible moisturising and a little extra care where your skin needs it most.
Why winter can be hard on skin
The outer layer of your skin helps to hold moisture in and provides a protective barrier between you and the outside world.
During winter, that barrier can come under extra pressure. Cold air tends to be dry, while central heating can make indoor air drier still. Wind and hot water can also leave skin feeling stripped, tight and uncomfortable.
So, rather than adding a complicated collection of products to your bathroom shelf, try keeping things simple.
Use lukewarm rather than very hot water. Cleanse gently. Moisturise regularly, particularly after washing, and choose a texture that feels comfortable on your skin.
It is often the simple things that make the biggest difference.
Start gently: cleansing
Winter is not necessarily the time to scrub your skin into submission.
A good cleanser should remove everyday dirt, make-up and excess oil without leaving your skin feeling uncomfortably tight afterwards.
Our Refreshing Face Cleanser is designed with that simple idea in mind: cleansing without making your skin feel as though everything has been taken away.
Use lukewarm water rather than hot, and gently pat your face dry rather than rubbing it. Follow with your usual moisturiser while your skin still feels comfortable and slightly damp.
Your winter routine, morning to night
You don’t need ten steps. A few well-chosen products can be enough.
Morning — Persian Silk Morning Moisturiser
A light, silky moisturiser to help keep skin feeling comfortable as you face the cold, wind and indoor heating of the day ahead.
Everyday — Berber Cellular Intense
Our little gem for everyday use. Keep it beside the bathroom sink or in your bag and reach for it whenever your skin feels as though it could use a little extra care.
It contains argan oil, pumpkin seed oil and vitamin C, and can be used on the face, neck and décolletage.
Night — Restorative Night Cream
Night-time is a good opportunity to give dry-feeling skin some extra attention.
Our Restorative Night Cream contains sodium hyaluronate (hyaluronic acid), argan oil and sweet almond oil and is designed to leave skin feeling nourished and comfortable as you settle down for the night.
Sometimes a simple evening ritual is all you need.
When skin needs a little more gentleness
Winter isn’t the only thing that can make skin feel dry or uncomfortable.
Pregnancy, breastfeeding, illness, medical treatment and simply going through a period when your skin feels more sensitive can all make you think a little harder about what you put on it.
That’s where we believe simple is often sensible.
Our Just Moisturiser was created for those occasions when you want straightforward moisturising without unnecessary fuss.
If you are pregnant or breastfeeding and looking for skincare, it is sensible to check the ingredients of any product you plan to use and discuss any particular concerns with your midwife, GP or other healthcare professional.
And if you develop persistent or unusual itching during pregnancy — particularly itching without an obvious rash — speak to your midwife or GP. It is always better to have something unusual checked.
If you are having radiotherapy
Radiotherapy can affect the skin in the area being treated, sometimes leaving it dry, sensitive or sore.
Skincare advice can vary depending on the treatment and the individual. Your radiographer or oncology team should therefore be your first point of reference. They can tell you which products are appropriate, when they can be applied and what should be avoided.
We would always recommend following their advice before using any skincare product on or around an area receiving treatment. But we think, subject to your healthcares providers approval, our Just Moisturiser has a part to play.
If your healthcare team is happy for you to use a particular moisturiser, choose one that suits their guidance and your skin.
Small habits that can help all winter
A little attention, repeated regularly, can go a long way towards keeping winter skin comfortable.
- Moisturise after washing, while your skin still feels slightly damp.
- Keep showers and baths warm rather than hot.
- Use a hand cream regularly, particularly after repeated hand washing.
- Protect your face and hands from cold wind with gloves, a scarf or other suitable clothing.
- Keep your cleansing routine gentle rather than scrubbing or over-cleansing.
- If the air in your home feels particularly dry, consider whether a humidifier might make the environment more comfortable.
And don’t forget your lips. They are often the first place to remind us that winter has arrived.
When everyday life is hard on your skin
Hands washed again and again.
Gardening. Cleaning. Outdoor work. Cold weather. Wind. Everyday jobs that leave your skin feeling dry, rough and in need of some attention.
This is where our Skin Repair comes in.
It is a botanical moisturiser for dry, stressed-feeling skin, made for those moments when ordinary everyday life has simply been a little hard on your hands and skin.
No complicated routine. Just moisturise and give your skin some extra care when it needs it.
Keep winter skincare simple
Winter doesn’t mean you need a bathroom cabinet full of products.
Sometimes your skin is simply asking for three things: cleanse gently, moisturise regularly and protect it from the elements.
At Ayrshire Skincare, we have always believed that skincare doesn’t need to be complicated to be thoughtful.
A few carefully chosen ingredients. Straightforward products. And no need to make your daily routine more complicated than it needs to be.
If you’re looking for a cleanser or moisturiser for the colder months, you’ll find our range at https://ayrshireskincare.co.uk/our-products/.
And if you’re not sure which product is right for you, particularly if your skin is unusually sensitive or you are going through a particular stage of life or treatment, please speak to an appropriate healthcare professional where necessary and get in touch with us about our products themselves. We’re always happy to explain what is in them and how we intend them to be used.
Stay warm, look after your skin, and we’ll see you next Sunday.
The Ayrshire Skincare Team
The team at Ayrshire Skincare Team
Questions? We’d love to hear from you at reach@ayrshireskincare.co.uk
