Keep your skin supple, youthful and comfortable this autumn with our beauty advice…
We all love a crisp, autumn walk through the crunchy leaves or by the coast to boost circulation and give your body a good all-over workout. But cold, windy weather isn’t so great for your skin. Here are Top Santé’s top beauty tips for how to look after your skin during autumn and winter.
How to protect your skin when the weather gets cold
1. Plump up your face with hyaluronic acid
Originally used as a lip filler ingredient, hyaluronic acid is now in almost all top anti-ageing skincare formulas. Whether used as a single ingredient serum or as part of a rich moisturiser, HA can be used any time of day to hydrate and re-plump your complexion. We love Indeed Labs Hydraluron Moisture Serum (£24.99, indeedlabs.com), which contains the purest form of hyaluronic acid – completely free from animal-derived raw materials – and red marine algae to boost blood stimulation. For a day cream we recommend Elemis Hydra Balance Day Cream (£40 elemis.com), which contains Hyaluronic Acid to lock in essential moisture, and Meadowsweet extract to regulate oil production.
2. Use high-UVA sun protection – even in autumn!
The nights may be drawing in and temperatures dropping but the sun’s rays can still affect your skin. Although UVB is too weak at this time of year, so it’s unlikely you’ll burn, UVA is still present, even on cloudy days, and is the ray most associated with deeper ageing. Cover up with a SPF30 moisturiser to protect your face when out on blustery walks. Try Jurlique Sun Specialist SPF40 High Protection Cream (£27, jurlique.co.uk) which gives a high protection against UVA and UVB rays, plus provides skin with a boost of antioxidants and emollients to keep it hydrated.
3. Hydrate with weekly sheet masks
Originating from Korea, sheet masks are now hugely popular in the UK as they’re easy to use. Look for a hydrating and plumping ones containing collagen and HA. We love the Collagen Gold Under Eye Mask (£10, stripwaxbar.com) for noticeably plumped up skin.
4. Use a facial spritz to beat tightness
They may seem more suited for summer, but a spritz of hydrating facial spray can help relieve any tightness caused by the cold. Go for one without any alcohol, which can further dry skin. Try the all-natural Rose Hibiscus Hydrating Face Mist (£24.14, herbivorebotanicals.com) which is created with pure plant actives — no fillers. It’s base of coconut water is infused with hibiscus flower petals and rose to tone, hydrate, and soften all skin types.
5. Reduce fine lines with rosehip oil
Rosehip oil is naturally rich in essential fatty acids that re-hydrate dry skin and help to improve the appearance of wrinkles. Used daily, it can completely change the look and feel of your skin, rejuvenating and kick-starting those skin cells. RosehipPLUS Australian Certified Organic Rosehip Oil (£15, treatyourskin.com) is made using a technique that doesn’t involve heat, solvents or chemicals to maintain maximum levels of nutrients.
6. Reveal smoother skin with gentle exfoliation
You may be sweating less but your skin still gets a build up of dead skin cells and sebum over winter, so weekly exfoliation can keep your face smooth. If you’ve got delicate skin, and especially during the drier, colder months, opt for a creamy exfoliator that contains gentle fruit acids (AHAs) rather than large grainy particles, which can tear sensitive skin. Or, go for a very fine powder-to-lather formula, such as Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant (£48, dermalogica.co.uk) which is gentle enough to be used each day
7. Turn down the heating to protect your skin
Being indoors in a centrally heated home or office is very drying for your skin. Instead of whacking up the heating, take advantage of all the cosy cardies, jumpers and slippers to stay warm. When you really do need some heat, consider using a humidifier to keep some moisture in the air, or place little dishes of water by your radiators – the heat will cause the water to evaporate to keep the air more humid.
8. Have a monthly anti-ageing facial
It’s not only great for your skin, but a facial is also the perfect chance to relax and be pampered. There are plenty of hydrating options or you could go for one that involves non-invasive laser light to rejuvenate your complexion. Ellipse (ellipseuk.com) has a new Light Facial device that’s used during some of their treatments to help diminish fine lines, wrinkles and promote a radiant complexion. The light facial treatment can be booked at The Skin Laundry in London (skinlaundry.com) First treatment is free, subsequent treatments, £60. Neck and decolletage, £20 extra.
