Credit: @chloeburcham / brands
Beauty
“I’m a beauty editor, and here’s my failsafe skincare routine for beating central-heating induced dryness”
2 months ago
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3 min read
If your skin is currently experiencing a seasonal flare-up, these five soothing products will help bring it back to balance…
There’s nothing quite like cranking up the central heating when the temperature drops outside. But while staying toasty is non-negotiable in winter, my skin doesn’t always agree. Every year, without fail, my normally balanced complexion has a seasonal meltdown – cue redness, irritation and patches of perioral dermatitis around my mouth. And, of course, the odd blemish for good measure.
As someone who tests skincare for a living, I initially thought my product choices, diet, hydration levels or even hormones were to blame. But after years of trial and error, I’ve realised the culprit is far more straightforward: central heating.
“The use of central heating in the winter causes the air to become less humid and dry, which causes the skin’s moisture to evaporate swiftly from the surface,” explains Rhysa Phommachanh, dermatologist at Landys Chemist. “This causes the skin’s top layer to lose its natural oils and moisture, resulting in dryness and dehydration.”
If your skin feels tight, flaky, or uncharacteristically sensitive in the colder months, it’s likely your heating could play a role. Think of it like sitting next to a hairdryer on full blast – great for warmth, not so great for keeping your skin hydrated.
Luckily, years of battling winter skin woes (and a very well-stocked beauty cupboard) have helped me create a failsafe skincare routine that keeps central heating-induced dryness at bay. Here’s what works for me…
Skincycles ExoYouth Cleansing Balm
When my skin is dry and dehydrated, the last thing it needs is a harsh cleanser that strips away moisture. That’s why I swear by cleansing balms during the winter months. While this one is definitely an investment, it’s hands down the best I’ve ever tried. Its buttery, luxurious texture effortlessly melts away make-up without leaving my skin feeling tight or dry. Plus, the pot is massive, so it lasts for ages.
Rhode Glazing Milk
I’ll admit it – when Hailey Bieber first launched her Rhode skincare line, I didn’t pay much attention as the celebrity beauty market felt oversaturated. I was wrong – Rhode has quickly become one of my go-to skincare brands, especially when my skin is in crisis mode. The Glazing Milk, in particular, is a game-changer – deeply hydrating and soothing, it delivers lightweight moisture that locks in hydration all day long.
CeraVe Advanced Repair Ointment for Very Dry and Chapped Skin
For any areas that really suffer from extreme dryness and flaking (for me, that’s around my nose and mouth) this souped-up skin ointment is a lifesaver. Its formula contains three occlusive ingredients – including pharmaceutical-grade petrolatum, hyaluronic acid, and three essential ceramides – to protect and soothe dry, rough, chapped skin.
Shop CeraVe Advanced Repair Ointment for Very Dry and Chapped Skin at Boots, £11.50
La Roche-Posay Lipikar Balm Apbiome
It’s not just the skin on my face that suffers from central heating – my body also feels the effects, often becoming dry, flaky and uncomfortably itchy. This body moisturiser is the best I’ve tried (and trust me, I’ve tried a lot). Packed with barrier-boosting niacinamide, hydrating glycerin and nourishing shea butter, it deeply replenishes moisture while probiotics help to soothe irritation. The result? Softer, smoother skin that stays hydrated for over 12 hours.
Shop La Roche-Posay Lipikar Balm Apbiome at Cult Beauty, £25
Aveeno Face Calm and Restore Oat Gel Moisturiser
This no-frills moisturiser is perfect for locking in hydration without leaving your skin feeling heavy and greasy. It layers perfectly over the Rhode milk, and nourishing prebiotic oats help to soothe redness and irritation instantly.
Shop Aveeno Face Calm and Restore Oat Gel Moisturiser at Lookfantastic, £13.49
Main image: @chloeburcham, courtesy of brands
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