Skincare for Dry Skin: Body Essentials for Winter

Winter’s cold climate really does take its toll on our skin. And we don’t just mean our face. Dry skin is winter’s nemesis, and it can strike anywhere, from our legs to our hands, to our elbows, to our toes. So, to keep your body hydrated, smooth and glowing year-round, we asked skincare guru, Matt Huxley, to give his expert advice on how to stop your skin from drying out in winter, and to recommend his body skincare products for winter

Winter Hair Problems

Do you look in the mirror and see static frizz and split ends? Feel your scalp tight and itchy?

These are effects that dry and cold winter air conditions can have on your hair, the exposure to the harsh cold elements and constant transition to heated indoors can suck the moisture out of your hair, leading to dull hair that's more susceptible to damage.

So how do you take care of your hair, minimize these harsh winter effects and prevent damage?

We've put together a list of products below so you can achieve healthy hair this winter.

What is the difference between cream and oitment?

The main difference between the two is the ratio between oil and water. While a cream has equal parts oil and water, ointments have about 80% oil. ⠀
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We break down the differences between the two, so you can work out which is better for your skin.⠀
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CREAMS ⠀
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✨ Because of their water content, creams are easily absorbed by the skin. They’re much lighter in texture, and leave a thin layer of medication and oil on the skin to heal the affected area quickly. ⠀
✨Products include daily face and body moisturisers that are suitable for sensitive skin types (creams generally have low risk of irritation) and treatment creams like hydrocortisone for bites, rashes and acne and dermatitis, or Clotrimazole, an antic-fungal treatment for thrush. ⠀
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OINTMENTS ⠀
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✨ Ointments contain much higher oil content than creams, so have a much thicker and greasier consistency. They’re occlusive, which means they stay on top of the skin for longer, rather than being absorbed right away. ⠀⠀
✨ Ointments trap moisture and absorb much more slowly into your skin. This is to prevent wounds from drying out, and to protect against moisture loss and elements like dry air that can exacerbate dry skin conditions.⠀⠀
✨ They’re usually best suited to treat dry skin conditions, or topical medications such as antibiotics for infections or corticosteroids for psoriasis. This is because they don’t evaporate, instead they slowly penetrate deep into your skin for maximum absorption. ⠀⠀
✨ Since ointments stay longer on your skin’s surface, they’re ideal to treat dry and scaly skin conditions. They can however, clog your pores and make your skin prone to irritation.⠀
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