Louise Thomas-Minns is a skin specialist and therapist

Question: We have only had a few days of colder weather but I have noticed that my skin seems to be changing and not for the best. Its feels tighter and drier and I have some spots which I never usually experience. Any ideas as to why and what I can do to help?

Answer: With the first cold snap of winter forcing us to don our scarves and gloves and to crank up the heating our skin can start to manifest a whole host of unsightly changes. Read on and I’ll walk you through a winter wonderland of tips to winter proof your skin.

Problem: Dry and flaky.

• Louise Recommends: Any moisturiser worth entertaining should contain ingredients that are found in our skin. I use and recommend to my clients products that contain Hyaluronic acid, the moisture binding component of the dermis.
• Tip: Apply your moisturiser to slightly damp skin this will further enhance its humectant properties and make your product go a little further. 

• Problem: Uncomfortable tightness.

• Louise recommends: Dehydration is the term coined by the cosmetic industry to describe the tight, creapy appearance that’s down to a lack of water in the skin. Its a lot more complex than this, however, upping your fluid intake can help. Limit diuretics like caffeine and increase water and herbal teas.

• Tip: Buy a humidifier for your home or office to create a more hydrating atmosphere for your skin.

• Problem: Spotty, oily skin.

Louise recommends: If your skin is parched it will try and help out by secreting more oil onto the skin. This can lead to an oily shine and blocked follicles resulting in outbreaks. Gentle exfoliation will sweep the pores clean and limit spotty eruptions.

• Tip: Using a product containing AHA’s will be a more effective and can also rebalance the oil secreting glands.

Remember it’s still important to protect your skin with an SPF everyday despite the lack of sun, since UV rays are present all year round.
A change of season is the perfect excuse for booking a professional facial. I offer skin health checks as part of my treatments to reassess your skin and ensure you get that healthy, rosy winter glow.

Louise Thomas-Minns CIBTAC CIDESCO BABTAC is a skin specialist and therapist with over 12 year’s experience. She is the owner of U Treatments, a beauty business that brings the salon to you and is about to launch a London skin clinic. She lecturers in, and is an NVQ assessor part time, in beauty therapy.
Her specialism in the skin and ingredient technology requires her to be a regular guest on Radio Norfolk and write for some national periodicals.
Visit www.u-treatments.co.uk or call Louise on 07810 872 633 for details of her bespoke treatment menu.