Dr Leah will see you now: The Apprentice winner reveals her 5 top tips for combating dry winter skin

As the weather becomes colder and the rain begins to fall, our skin often suffers as a result of the harsh winter weather.

We start to notice our skin becoming drier, tighter and in some cases even red, itchy and sensitive. These symptoms are even more pronounced if you suffer from inflammatory skin disorders such as eczema or psoriasis.

But why does this winter weather wreak such havoc with our skin?

As cold air contains less moisture than warm or hot air, it can be intensely drying on the skin. Winter winds can also strip your skin of its natural lipids, which are the most important part of the skin barrier and keep your skin from drying out.

Couple this with the fact that we all crank up the heating in our homes to keep us toasty on those dark and cold Christmas winter nights, this leaves our skin feeling parched which is when cracks will start to appear.

So what are My Top Tips for Winter Skin?

1. Invest in a Festive facial

Facials are a great way to deliver super hydrating ingredients into the skin and serve as the perfect pre-Christmas party glamorous glow.

Here at Dr Leah’s Clinic we are offering a complimentary bespoke Merry Berry facial worth £80 when you purchase any two skincare products. This facial has all the essential components to combat winter skin.  

When searching for a facial to nourish and hydrate, look out for one that is offering gentle exfoliation such a microdermabrasion. This will help to gently remove dull and dead skin cells as the exfoliating action will regenerate the skin and increase its ability to protect itself from harsh wintery weather.

For a super hydrating mask, we love the limited edition Merry Cranberry Mask from Dermaquest as it is rich in antioxidants, organic berries, fruits and roots which all work together to regenerate, sooth and repair tired skin.

My final tip would be to opt for a facial which uses technologies, such as 3D-Impact.

This uses acoustic waves of ultrasound to deliver greater penetration of key cosmeceutical ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, stem cells, peptides and Vitamins. This enhanced penetration of ingredients will mean they work much more effectively and aid in restoring the skin at a much faster pace.

2. Maximise your Moisturiser

Moisturisers are greatly misunderstood and choosing the correct one for your skin type can be a tricky task. Selecting the correct moisturiser will be dependent on your skin type.

One factor that determines your skin type is the amount of oil your skin secretes - if you have oilier skin then go for an oil-free and lightweight formula, whereas drier skin types are much more suited to an emollient-rich formula.

Whatever your skin type, moisturisers will help to protect your skin from external elements while making equally it softer and smoother. You may find that your current moisturiser is perfectly adequate for most of the year, but as weather conditions get harsher in winter, your skin may require a slightly richer formula to nourish and protect it fully.

Obagi Hydrate Luxe is a favourite with Dr Leah pateints and, just as the name suggests, the luxuriously rich face cream is extra-moisturizing and thanks to its ingredients which keep your skin looking firm and feeling supple.

3. Look after your Lips

Put your pout on a pedestal by keeping your lips smooth and hydrated.

Winter often leaves you with sore chapped lips but you can put a stop to this by using an energizing lip enhancer.

I recommend Dermaquest Stem Cell 3D Lip Enhancer with firming Maxi-Lip peptide and botanical stem cells to repair and prevent DNA damage. Instantly plumping and hydrating, this enhancing product also magnifies your lip’s natural colour.

4. Humidify

The of blast hot dry air from our central heating throughout our homes and offices can have a dramatic drying effect on the skin.

My suggestion would be to invest in a humidifier to get more moisture into the air, preventing your skin from drying out and feeling tight.

5. Top Food for Top Skin

We all know as the dark nights creep in, the craving for comfort food starts. But help to keep your skin healthy from inside and out by opting for yellow and orange foods which tend to be high in Vitamin A.

Lastly, try to consume more salmon and fresh water fish which are high in omega 3 and essential fatty acids – all ingredients which your skin needs to keep hydrated and healthy.

For more details on Dr Leah Clinics and full price list of treatments, visit drleah.co.uk

Dr Leah gives her professional advice on how to make the best of your skin during the colder months