A change of season also means a change in routine for my skin!

Even though there are still a few lovely sunny days left, we can't deny that the cold is quietly setting in. The mid-season jacket has come out of the wardrobe, as has our favourite woolly jumper, and we've started tying a scarf around our neck. But what about our skin? How do we get that ready for the change of season and the harmful effects of the cold?

How does our skin react to the change of season?

A study by the British Journal of Dermatology carried out on 80 people reveals that, when the season changes, a dermal change takes place too. This is because there is a notable deterioration in the protein that helps maintain the dermal "barrier" in the cheeks and hands, making it more permeable to allergens. The skin becomes rough and uncomfortable, losing elasticity and causing irritation. This means it is essential to take time to look after your skin as the seasons change.

Taking care of your skin by cleansing it

When the cold returns, the skin has trouble breathing properly; impurities get in and the tone is more lifeless. The thing to do is to cleanse the skin. But be careful - the skin is already weakened, so you don't want to aggravate it further with a deep, daily cleanse!

• Wake your skin up in the morning with flower water - cornflower water to relieve puffy eyes, lavender water to calm redness.
• Set up a cocooning evening to enjoy the comforting, hot mist of a facial sauna. This steam bath will open up the pores in your skin and so enable more effective cleansing.

Want to know more about a deep cleansing routine for your skin?

Taking care of your skin by moisturising it

It's really important to moisturise your skin morning and evening to help it keep functioning as a protective barrier. This action enables your skin to maintain its elasticity, stop drying out and, consequently, delay the appearance of signs of ageing. 

So you need to apply a skin care product suitable for your skin type, morning and evening, on perfectly cleansed skin.
And it's easy to forget your neck and cleavage, even though the skin here is just as sensitive. So remember to include them in your "face" routine.

Reminder - here is an explanation of how to detect dry skin and dehydrated skin

Examples of skin care for moisturising the skin as the season changes

• Mix Aloe Vera Gel with vegetable oil (70% gel to 30% oil).
• If you have dry, sensitive skin, make a mask of yellow or pink clay, a vegetable oil suitable for your skin type and some aloe vera.
• If your skin is very dehydrated, apply some shea butter to the area, or add a little to your night cream. 

Vitamin supplements can also help you deal with the change of season

Yes, you can give your skin a boost from the inside! Vitamin E is an antioxidant and so protects your skin from the effects of ageing. It enables you to keep your skin soft and smooth. And there's a bonus - it also acts on your hair and nails! Vitamin E can be found in certain vegetable oils - wheatgerm, sunflower, nut, avocado, etc. It's also found in foods such as egg yolk, butter or wholegrain cereals. For even more effectiveness, you can of course use skin care products based on vegetable oils, such as carrot oil, avocado oil, or argan oil, which are rich in vitamin E.

Click here to find out more about the ideal diet for a radiant look.