Grooming Editor

Winter Skin Care – Top Tips for Men

Whatever time of year it is, skin care shouldn’t be a pain. With just a few tweaks to your skin care routine in winter, you’ll have no problem keeping your skin looking great. We’ve compiled a list of our winter skin care top tips for men.

Bearded man in the snow

1.Exfoliate – but not too much

Exfoliating once or twice a week is the easiest thing you can do to enhance the look of your skin without spending too much time. In winter it’s even more important, as exposure to cold weather is a killer for drying out skin.

There can be too much of a good thing, however. Exfoliating too frequently or too thoroughly can cause minor damage to the outer layers of the membrane. This may worsen the risk of dry skin in the cold. We recommend starting out lightly exfoliating once or twice a week and seeing what works for you.

2.Moisturise

Without a doubt the most important part of winter skin care. Moisturising not only replenishes dry, weather-worn skin after over-exposure, but it acts as a protective barrier against the elements. Apply moisturiser once in the morning and once at night as a bare minimum. In addition, applying immediately before and after exposure to cold weather is a good idea.

3.Use lip balm

Different body part, same principle. You get the idea by now. Replenishing and locking in moisture is the top priority at this time of year. There are no hard and fast rules about when or where to apply it, but you can use it as liberally as you choose. Even sparing use will give you great results almost immediately.

4.Keep an eye on your diet

Alright, this winter skin care tip might sound more like general life advice, but it’s not to be scoffed at. You could be making sizeable investments in your skincare routine, but if you’re not keeping your diet in check, there’s no way you’re getting the most out of your skin. To paraphrase Zinedine Zidane, why paint the Bentley gold and not fix the engine?

Zinedine Zidane

Aside from the huge payoffs outside of grooming, getting plenty of water and a balance of nutrients in each meal will help keep your skin clear. The reason we’re bringing this up in winter? Antioxidants are most readily found in fresh fruits and vegetables. We’re not suggesting you request a side salad with Christmas dinner, but a little fresh fruit and veg over the winter goes a long way when it comes to skincare.

5.Wrap up warm

Again, not exactly rocket-science, but if you’re a shivering, sniffling mess, there’s only so much skin care products can do. Weather appropriate clothing will keep your immune system strong and make you less susceptible to colds and flus.

What’s more, cracked skin on the back of the hands and knuckles is easily avoided. Wear gloves! If you do get any outbreaks, combat the symptoms with moisturising hand creams.