The colder weather has a number of effects on our skin -
- * It makes our blood vessels dilate, causing redness of the skin.
- * Because the humidity is generally lower in the winter it means there is less water in the air, and this dries out our skin and hair.
- * Cold winds and central heating also have the same effect, which leaves skin and hair in need of some extra nourishment and moisturisation.
How Can We Best Care for Our Skin This Winter?
There are several actions we can take to best care for our skin, some of which you may not have thought about -
Only have the central heating on if you really have to. Put another jumper on and keep the thermostat down low or on a time for the very few hours in the day when you really need the home heated. Use a humidifier to keep moisture in the air.
Use a hydrating face mask to deeply nourish the skin, rather than harsh or stripping treatments. Do not have super hot baths, no matter how much you enjoy them, as these will really dry your whole body out.
Invest in supplements. If your skin is drier than it should be, the chances are you are deficient in one or more of Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Vitamin D, Potassium or Essential Fatty Acids, so it may be wise to invest in a decent multivitamin or look into the following nutrients:
- * Essential Fatty Acids - help maintain moisture in the skin
- * Diatomaceous Earth - this mineral is 89% silica, which is essential for healthy skin. If we are deficient in silica collagen in our skin breaks down more quickly, causing dullness and tired looking skin. Nails will also be stronger with regular doses of Diatomaceous Earth.
- * MSM, or Methylsulfonylmethane - keeps hair glossy and skin tone even, smooth and youthful. Nails will grow quicker as well as stronger. Sulphur is also essential for cell regeneration and renewal.
What About Skincare?
To prepare our skin for the onset of winter we must ensure your skin is hydrated and moisturised from inside and out. If you use lighter products in the summer, continue to use them but take note of how your skin feels. Have more heavyweight (in both senses of the word!) products ready as backup for when your skin starts to feel drier.
Vitamins play an important part in our skin health and function, particularly vitamins C and E, which work together in scavenging free radicals to help prevent premature ageing. You can read more about this relationship and the power of vitamin E in skincare here, plus you can discover more about JASON’s range of Vitamin E Oils here. Today we are going to look at vitamin C in skincare.
Vitamin C helps to relieve the symptoms and appearance of dry skin when used topically, however it also helps the skin cells repair damaged tissues. Vitamin C plays a major role in the production of collagen, a protein found in the body that, along with elastin, is responsible for the skin’s structure. Vitamin C can also be used directly on the skin as a protection technique against harmful rays and pollutants.
The JĀSÖN C-Effects™ range is formulated with an exclusive multi-antioxidant complex; a broad spectrum skin defender that combines: Ester-C®, vitamin C in its most stable form, vitamin E, naturally derived green tea and thioctic acid. Our favourite product is the Creme, which has a rich texture but at the same time is easily absorbed. We love the fresh and fruity scent too!
