The winter season can be brutal – it can diminish immunity, dampen the spirits, and affect your skin and complexion. This makes winter the most important time to take proper care of your skin. Cold winds can wreak havoc on your skin - stripping away the moisture and leaving skin looking chapped and dry. Moving between cruel outside weather and warm air-conditioned environments can also upset the balance of your skin’s moisture levels. Whether you are an expert or beginner, winter is a great time to start thinking about what your skin needs. Cold weather always results in dry skin – it’s just a fact of life. But here at Lavish Bow Tie, we have come up with a simple skincare guide that will help you to keep that well-groomed appearance in every season. If you want to look great all year round, then follow our top tips for protecting yourself from the elements this winter. 1. Exfoliate Despite our best efforts, the colder months will always prompt our skin to shed its dead cells off more easily, and often. Dry, flaking skin is not only a cosmetic problem – it can be uncomfortable as well. If the dead cells remain on your skin it can lead to itchiness and irritation. Skin that is not taken care of can even be more vulnerable to bacteria, inviting acne and other problems onto the surface of your skin. The best way to take care of your skin, and to avoid itchy winter flaking is to exfoliate regularly. Exfoliating will deeply clean your skin, while also polishing off the dead cells from the surface of your skin to reveal the newer cells underneath. Use a suitable product and apply light pressure using circular motions. While exfoliating is an important step, be sure to limit it to once or twice a week – any more frequently and you may aggravate your skin. 2. Moisturize Next you will need to add some moisture back into your skin. The type of moisturizer you need will depend on the kind of skin you have. If your skin has a tendency to be oily, then you might want to consider using a lighter lotion. However, dry, dull skin may require a heavier cream. If you are used to using a light gel or similar, you may want to consider switching to a denser cream over the cold months. Whatever you choose, be sure choose a moisturizer that is going to keep you looking fresh and apply it twice daily – morning and night, after you have washed and shaved. If you take long walks or work outside, then apply throughout the day in addition. 3. Sun Protection It is a common misconception that sun protection is only needed in the summer. Although sunburn is widely believed to be linked to sunny weather, your skin can burn anytime there is UV exposure – which is all year round. Any parts of your skin which are going to see daylight will need SPF protection. Cold weather will not protect you against the sun’s rays, so be sure to apply a product which is at least SPF 30 in order to protect your skin against the harmful effects of the sun. While it might be easy to remember grabbing the sunscreen on the way to the beach, it can be trickier to remember it on the way to work in freezing temperatures. If this is the case, consider using a moisturizer, that also contains SPF. Anytime you are going outside, you need sun protection – rain, hail or shine. Be sure to take extra care if you plan on going skiing this winter – studies have shown that around 80% of UV rays bounce off white snow, leaving facial skin extremely vulnerable to sun damage. Apply your sunscreen before you hit the slopes! 4. Shaving Whether you are backing the beard trend, or prefer to leave the house with a fresh, close shave, we have vital skincare tips for you! If you have facial hair, it is important to take extra care to keep it clean and healthy looking. Using a good shampoo or cleanser will help to keep it free from dirt and oil build-up. Once it’s clean, apply a beard oil. This will help to reduce dandruff (or ‘beardruff’ as it’s more commonly known) and will keep the hair follicles in good condition. Choose a beard oil that has a nice fragrance, since the smell will stay in the hair and skin. If you prefer to be clean shaven, then you will want to focus on looking after your skin before and after shaving. If possible, always shave straight after a hot shower. This will make the hair will be softer and the pores more open. If this is not convenient, try applying a hot washcloth to your skin for a few minutes before you begin. Choose a smooth shave foam or gel and massage it into your skin, then shave using a good quality razor, rinsing between each stroke. Once you have finished shaving, apply a cooling balm or spray to the freshly shaved area to help reduce any redness or irritation. Good skincare is vital all year round, but is particularly important during the cooler months of the year. By ensuring that your skincare products and routine are going to care for your skin over the winter season, you can avoid irritation and maintain healthy looking skin all year round.