Winter skin can be quite uncomfortable and sometimes even painful, as environmental aggressors strip it of the naturally occurring oils that keep it smooth, supple, hydrated and protected.
While most of us are vigilant about protecting our face, many women neglect the skin on their bodies. In fact, over eight in 10 women experience changes to their body skin in winter, with the most common being dryness, according to a recent study by CeraVe skincare and You Gov.
Common Winter Skin Concerns
The most common winter skin concerns, according to the study, include mild to severe dryness (68 percent of women), itchiness (30 percent of women) and cracking (26 percent of women). Despite this, the study found that only 37 percent of Aussie women use body moisturiser daily.
“Beauty doesn’t stop at the neck,” says Marionne De Candia, Queensland based aesthetician who’s Elle McPherson’s fave Aussie facialist. “It’s vital that we hydrate from top to toe every. Try to do so after each shower.”
A hydrated skin is a a healthier skin and the itchiness, tightness and cracking should ease up after a week or two of treating skin twice daily with a quality body cream or lotion.
The Carousel loves:
CeraVe Moisturising Cream, which is rich in hyaluronic acid and combines 24 hour hydration.
Mediskin Saver, rich in vitamin B3 for anti-ageing benefits as well as hydration.
Check Your Ingredients
There’s never a better time than winter to do a run-through of your moisturiser’s ingredients. Interestingly, CeraVe’s report showed that only 44 percent of women actually check the ingredients. What to look for? Ceramides are a great start. They are are lipids, or fat molecules, that help the skin retain moisture and allow for proper function in the skin barrier. Following this, be sure to look for Hyaluronic Acid, a natural, deeply hydrating ingredient that is present in our bodies but depletes with age. And finally, Shea Butter, which is incredible for really dry skin, as it not only drenches it with moisture but it protects it from external aggressors too.
The Carousel Loves:
CeraVe Moisturising Lotion, which packs a punch with Ceramides, HA, Glycerin and a a special delivery system known as MVE Delivery to ensure ingredients are delivered efficiently and to the right areas.
Burt’s Bees Shea Butter And Vitamin E Body Lotion, which also has nurturing vitamin E and a non-greasy, hypoallergenic formula.
Finally according to CeraVe’s study, the majority of Australian women skip the dermatologist when seeking advice on skin issues. This is a big no-no. If you have an undiagnosed condition, an issue that is bothering you for longer than one week, or something that just seems quite out of place and strange, see your GP ASAP for a referral to a well-reputed dermatologist for a professional diagnosis and treatment.
