Combat Dry Skin
Dry skin can seriously affect your complexion by trapping dirt underneath dead skin cells and leaving your face feeling tight and sore. It can also make you appear older and therefore affects your overall confidence. Here at Mankind, lesson 7 of our style guides is all about combating dry skin!
Step 1 - Wash How You Go!
When it's cold outside it's tempting to start your day with a long hot shower. Bad move if you're suffering from dry skin! That's because piping hot water tends to strip the skin of its natural, protective oils causing it to dry out. And when that happens skin loses its ability to hold on to what moisture it does have, triggering a continual cycle of water-loss. The result is dry, flaky and irritated skin. Not a good look!
So begin your face-saving grooming routine by washing or showering in warm (rather that hot) water and swap harsh, skin-drying soaps in favor of gentler glycerin-based facial cleansers like Lab Seriesfor Men Multi-Action Face Wash which are specifically formulated for dry skin. Apply a small amount, cleanse thoroughly and wash off all residues with plenty of cool running water.
Step 2 - Shed Some Skin
When skin is dry it tends to become flaky, making it look dull, lifeless and grey so get into the habit of removing dry patches and dead skin cells with the help of Clinique for Men Face Scrub. Not only will it 'polish' the surface of the skin and speed up cell turnover (leading to healthier, younger-looking skin), it'll also ensure that your moisturiser is properly absorbed. To use, simply apply with your fingertips and massage in using gentle circular motions. A twice weekly scrub twice should be enough.
Step 3 - Moisturise!
In cold weather skin comes under attack from two moisture-robbing enemies central heating and the outside elements. What's more, those chill winds make keratin an essential skin protein stiff and inflexible, which is partly why your mush feels so tight in cold weather. The really bad news, though, is that dry skin tends to be more susceptible to premature ageing too. Thankfully, solving the problem (and protecting yourself from wrinkles) is as simple as using a good moisturiser like Anthony Logistics All Purpose Facial Moisturiser morning and night. Not only will moisturising help prevent water loss and soreness, it'll prevent the kind of cracking that creates entry points for infections and keep your skin plump and supple, reducing the potential for fine lines and wrinkles. Simply apply to slightly damp skin after washing, focusing on areas like the forehead and cheeks which can be especially prone to dryness. Add a little more during the day if skin begins to feel dry and tight again.
Step 4 - Supplement Your Skincare
As well as taking the above steps to guard against moisture loss it's also worth tackling the problem from the inside too. For starters keep hydrated (if you feel thirsty you're already dehydrated!), stock up plenty of fresh fruit and veg (which contain vitamins A and E) and oily fish (which is rich in vitamin D) as these have been shown to be essential for skin health and barrier repair. It's also a good idea to incorporate Imedeen Man-Age-Ment into your daily skincare routine as this potent supplement is packed with essential fatty acids to help boost skins performance from within.
Finally dealt with your dry skin issues? Check out Lesson 8: The Perfect Fake Tan, so you can be perfectly bronzed all year round.
