Central Heating Skin: How To Soothe A Face That Feels Tight And Dry In Winter

Something like a hypochlorous acid spray will also help to soothe inflammation in those with psoriasis and eczema, and gently address acne-causing bacteria in those with breakout-prone skin.

An insider tip: hypcohlorous acid is so gentle that it’s often sold in sprays designed to soothe and sanitise baby skin (diaper rash, cradle cap and minor cuts), as well as their toys and items like pacifiers. Look for hypochlorous acid in the baby aisles of pharmacies for an affordable (between £2 and £5) skin soothing spray. I use the Vital Baby Aquaint Cleansing Water, decanting it into smaller sprays for travel.

Vital Baby Aquaint Cleansing Water

If your skin barrier isn’t compromised but you want to maintain its healthy functioning, there’s no need to drastically overhaul your routine, but you may notice your skin becoming more irritated than normal when using products that contain retinol or strong acids. If this happens, cut down your use (from daily to every other day or twice weekly, for example) or incorporate a thicker, richer moisturiser with ceramides.

2. Incorporate exfoliants

Disclaimer: if your skin barrier is compromised, don’t keep going with your exfoliation. Wait for the flare-up to pass and then see how your skin is faring. It’s better to play it safe with your skin than repeatedly stress it out, you can’t fight fire with fire.

If your skin is sub-optimal but not in dire straits, an appropriate exfoliator can help slough off dead skin cells, revealing brighter, newer skin beneath. Removing these cells can improve the absorption of serums, creams and oils, too.

If you’re new to acids, look for something gentle, like a PHA (polyhydroxy acid) or LHA (beta-lipohydroxy acid), as they have larger molecules than BHAs (beta-hydroxy acids) and AHAs (alpha-hydroxy acids) and take longer to penetrate the skin. Other gentle acids include lactic and mandelic acid, as well as low concentrations of malic, azelaic and glycolic acids.

The trick to avoiding irritation, explains consultant dermatologist Dr Thivi Maruthappu is to dial down how frequently you use them. “I tend to advise reducing the frequency of exfoliation to once or twice a week,” says Maruthappu, “And avoid combining physical exfoliants, like grainy scrubs, with chemical exfoliants, such as alpha or beta hydroxy acids, as this can lead to redness and irritation – particularly if you are also using a retinoid product.”

3. Include humectants

Humectants are ingredients that draw water towards them and into the skin. Examples include hyaluronic acid (a molecule that can hold up to 1,000 times its weight in water), glycerin, urea and alpha-hydroxy acids like glycolic and lactic acid, as well as honey and aloe vera. When central heating and harsh weather are stripping the moisture from the skin, choosing ingredients that work overtime to attract, hold and trap water is crucial.

La Roche-Posay Cicaplast Balm B5

Emollients and occlusives can also be good to keep in your back pocket, but they won’t suit all skin types. Emollients – like shea and cocoa butter – are lubricating agents that form a layer over the skin. This barrier helps stop water escaping. They are thicker than humectants, which can often be found in smooth, silky serums, essences and mists, and form a first line of defence when your skin comes into contact with cold air. Occlusives are similar, in that they help trap moisture, but are heavier than humectants and emollients. Think petroleum jelly, waxes and oil balms.