IT’S the most wonderful time of year.
But it’s also the time when our skin takes the biggest hit – with freezing temperatures and party season wreaking havoc.
Most of us experience dry, flaky skin as we flip-flop between the bracing cold outside and stuffy, overheated offices.
Yet there are ways to ward off the inevitable – or tackle it if you’re already wondering how to pack the moisture back into your pores.
Here we share our top tips for getting you through the winter – to ensure glowing skin all-year round.
TACKLE THE PROBLEM
First up you want to find the root of the problem.
When you see redness, sensitivity, dryness or spots, your skin is trying to tell you it is under attack.
Corneotherapy, a science-based approach to skincare, aims to repair the outermost layer of the skin – known as the Stratum Corneum.
Dubbed a unique and pioneering approach, the idea is to repair and restore the natural barrier of the skin to help target a wide range of skin concerns from acne to premature wrinkles.
There’s only a few hundred trained ‘Corneotherapists’ in the country – since you have to take extra training to be able to perform it.
But it’s well worth seeking one out and booking an appointment to get a proper analysis of your skin type.
Katie, from The Surrey Skin Clinic, says: “Corneotherapy is a game-changer because it works from the inside out, repairing and strengthening the skin’s protective barrier.
“Unlike regular facials that offer short-term results, Corneotherapy focuses on long-term skin health, helping your skin become stronger and healthier over time.
“It’s a truly transformative approach to skincare.”
Corneotherapists, such as Katie, offer a tailored consultation to take an in-depth view of your skin and help them create a bespoke plan to target your concerns.
As a new mum, I have little time to spend on my skincare regime.
After pregnancy I noticed my skin getting drier and drier – and assumed it would go back to normal once the hormones settled down.
But 18 months on, it still was dry – visibly peeling off my face no matter how much facial oil, serum or cream I put on.
I realised I needed to seek an expert opinion but didn’t know where to start. Would a one-off spa facial – although a luxurious treat – fix my growing skin concerns?
I stumbled across Corneotherapy and it sounded exactly what I needed – an expert to look properly at what was going on with my skin and give proper guidance on how to fix it.
Having spent loads on various different creams and serums trying to ‘hydrate’ my skin – I realised it was worth investing in someone who could actually point me in the right direction.
I’d probably spend less in the long run if someone could actually tell me what my skin needed – as opposed to me buying the latest lotions and potions in the hope one would radically transform my flakiness.
I’d never heard of Corneotherapy. Not particularly a sexy name, it’s not one you see regularly advertised at salons and spas.
Katie at Surrey Skin Clinic thoroughly analysed my skin before treating it with the Enzyme Skin Renewal mask (£18).
I was sent home with an array of products including the DMS Cleansing Milk, High Classic Moistouriser and a Bespoke Serum, tailored to my skin needs.
I hate claims of “it worked straight away” – but genuinely the dewy aftermath of the facial lasted not just days, but weeks. And my skin genuinely felt more hydrated – I didn’t have any visible dry skin again until a few months later.
I repeated the Enzyme mask myself at home – following Katie’s quick ‘how-to’ video – and, again, it put the dry skin at bay.
Now, six months on I’m planning to revisit Katie for a check-up.
But the great thing about Corneotherapy is once they consider your skin ‘healed’, you no longer need to return to repeat facials. So in the long-run, you get results but also more bang for your buck.
And that’s a winner in my book.
PICK YOUR PRODUCTS
Katie recommends using clean products which are free of unnecessary chemicals and particularly fragrance, which can cause irritation and exacerbate problems.
She uses Dermaviduals, a product line only sold by approved specialists, which is free from emulsifiers, perfume and parabens.
But other ‘clean’ products are also available on the high street.
REN Skincare’s products are free of irritants and its award-winning Evercalm range boasts a Barrier Support Elixir and Global Protection Day Cream which work well together to keep you glowy.
To keep your skin hydrated throughout winter it’s important to keep up with your daily routine – and particularly keep your skin moisturised.
British brand Evolve Organic Beauty offers a range of organic, sustainable products which feel luxurious but are also good for you – and the environment.
Founder Laura Rudoe said: “I have always been interested in natural remedies and nature.
“I started Evolve to create a natural and organic beauty range that would help people live a little greener every day.
“My mission was to make affordable, highly sensorial products that deliver effective results, yet are healthier and kinder for you and the planet.”
For an extra moisture hit, it’s worth doing regular at-home face masks. Dermaviduals’ Enzyme Mask is great for gentle biological peeling with natural enzymes.
Meanwhile Youth & Earth’s Hyaluronic Acid Gel Face Mask is fragrance-free and designed to penetrate different layers of the skin for deep hydration.
GO THE EXTRA MILE
For those who want to go that bit further, Katie recommends LED light therapy.
She says the cutting-edge treatment offers a “gentle solution without the need for abrasive chemicals, harmful UV-rays, or any unwanted side effects”.
LED therapy can be safely performed every 48 hours. Treatments at clinics such as Katie cost from £50 per session, or you can invest in a mask to do at home.
Omnilux claims to be the most powerful LED device on the market today with 132 medical-grade LEDs and says it can boost collagen, enhance elasticity and improving skin hydration.
5 factors assessed during corneotherapy treatments:
Your skin type
Current skincare routine
Lifestyle
Diet
Environmental influences
Top 3 ‘hero’ corneotherapy products:
Dermaviduals cleansing milk with DMS – replaces your current cleanser, to be used morning and night. Will remove make-up and SPFBespoke
Serum – protects the skin barrier and improves quality by blending active ingredients tailored to your skin type
High Classic Moisturiser – contains DMS (Derma Membrane Structure) which provides your skin with the exact nourishment of ceramides, glycerine and squalane it needs
