Winter can be tough – particularly on the skin as there seems to be no escape from dryness that occurs from both harsh outdoor weather conditions and indoor heating. So, what’s the best way to protect your skin this autumn and winter?

Dr. Ahmed Abdullah, board-certified plastic surgeon and founder of Lexli skincare, has it as clear as crystal: stick to the basics! “Maintaining a specific system that incorporates a few main ideas is your best defense against the skin ailments that plague you during the colder months” .

So, what are Dr. Abdullah´s advices for keeping skin fresh, plumped, healthy and feeling at its best during the peak of autumn and winter?

Rule Number One: You Shall Moisturize, Moisturize, Moisturize

Repeat this mantra daily. It may be obvious, but during the winter, skipping just a day of moisturizing is a mistake. “Sometimes, we’re too tired or busy that we are simply too lazy to moisturize. During the summer, when your body produces its own moisture due to excess sweat, this is not as much of an issue as it is during the winter months. Missing a day of moisturizing during the winter months can result in dry skin so severe that it can result in flaking, or worse, eczema, if your skin is particularly sensitive,” Dr. Abdullah warns.

To do so,

·          Find a moisturizer that is aloe or oil-based. 99% of all moisturizers are water-based, which does less to lock in moisture and keep skin feeling fresh and smooth. My personal advice? DO test Clarins facial oils, Katima´a and Lexli aloe-based products range. You´ll be delighted!

·          Develop a routine to moisturize after bathing and before bed.

·          The day and night moisturizers are the key to success: they contain humectants, which are molecules that hold more than their own weight of water.

Rule Number Two: Keep Water In, But Not On Your Body

Resist the urge to indulge in long, hot showers during the winter. We know it’s tempting, but you’re not doing your skin any favors, says Dr. Abdullah. “While most people think that water is hydrating, it actually dries out your skin. Some of us consider bathing as a way to relax and unwind, and even warm up during the winter, but it’s important to realize that it actually robs skin of moisture.” Although the benefits of drinking water for your skin are up in the air, there is no doubt that water promotes overall health, so drink up!

And if you feel that your skin is unbearably itchy, don´t hesitate and try the old home remedy for chicken pox, an oatmeal bath. This relieves dryness, but don’t forget to go heavy on the moisturizer after bathing. Do use aloe-vera based products.

Rule Number Three: Make Sunscreen Your Best Friend

During the winter, most of us put the sunscreen away and mourn the loss of summertime. But don’t be so hasty to discount this product; just because you’re not actively seeking the sun doesn’t mean that it will not affect your skin. “Many people have the idea that because they’re not sunbathing, sunscreen is not necessary. This line of thinking is damaging because the sun can be just as strong in the winter, and the glare from the snow can also pose problems,” says Dr. Abdullah.

So what should you do?

·          Reach for a broad-spectrum sunscreen for exposed areas during the wintertime. Lexli offers a UVA and UVB aloe-based day moisturizer containing SPF-15 for normal to dry skin. Because it is aloe-based, it heals while it works. A dream come true!

·          Keep in mind, snow reflects up to 80% of the light that hits it. Make sure that your sunscreen covers both the UVA and UVB rays, and don´t forget to pay extra attention to keeping your lips and undereyes protected.

·          Dr. Abdullah recommends: Lexli Aloe-Based Day Moisturizer and Aloe-Based Sunscreen Spray.

For more information about Lexli skincare products and tips from Dr. Abdullah, visit www.Lexli.com

Beatriz Alegría is a Spanish (and Spain-based) freelance journalist specialized in writing Economy and Beauty features. Her work has been published in several Spanish magazines and newspapers (Cosmopolitan, Ragazza, Tiempo, Cinco Días…) and you can follow her beauty and lifestyle adventures in her online magazine, Style de Vivre, and her blog, Mi Reino Por Un Gloss. In addition to that, Beatriz loves creating handmade products, and currently runs a vintage jewelry project called The French Boudoir, specializing in unique handmade and bridal jewelry made with found objects, vintage its and bits, mixed-media products and new materials.

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