3 Simple steps to keep your skin protected against the cold

As the cosy nights draw in and the winter chill descends it’s a time to pay greater attention to our skin. Windy days, central heating and lack of good sunshine may leave us dreaming for a brighter and more hydrated complexion. With festivities and all the enjoyable food and alcohol, our skin can end up looking a little neglected. This is how I advise my clients to winter-proof their skin to feel good on the inside and look great on the outside. 

Skin hydration

Skin needs plentiful amounts of omega 3 to stay looking thirst-quenched and soft. It’s also required to balance female hormones and may be helpful at keeping breakouts at bay. Because they are ‘essential’ they must come from diet or supplementation. This means you need to be eating 2-3 portions of oily fish (mackerel, sardines, salmon, trout, herring) per week. Be honest with yourself, if you are not hitting this target then you either need to make more of a conscious effort to increase oily fish or to supplement. Other oils - such as those from nuts, seeds or avocado -are also beneficial but people do tend to lack omega 3 oils the most! We also recommend topping up on Hyaluronic acid - regardless of age. For younger skin, it supports healing for damaged skin from say breakouts/acne and for ageing skin, it puts back moisture and elasticity. Henrietta's award-winning Hyaluronic acid is extra low molecular weight and is clinically proven to reach the skin’s surface.

Healing minerals 

Zinc and selenium are excellent skin nourishing and repairing minerals. But the body also has an increased requirement to support the immune system. If your reserves are low, the body will cleverly prioritize your remaining zinc and selenium so that immune cells can, say, fight a virus. This is at the expense of your skin health. Therefore, to avoid this happening, replenishing these minerals even more so during the winter months is important. Foods that contain these minerals include fish, meat, nuts, seeds and vegetables. Our Food-Grown® Skin, Hair and Nails contains nourishing skin and immune minerals plus protective antioxidants for chilly days.

Alcohol

Alcohol is especially drying and ageing to the skin. This doesn’t mean you cannot enjoy a glass of wine with friends but you should help to support your body detoxify naturally, especially when drinking more around the festive period. We recommend making a daily green smoothie alongside your breakfast, drinking extra coconut water and taking Food-Grown® Antioxidant Plus.

For more ways to embrace the season well see 'Henrietta's must-haves for winter'