Show yourself some TLC this winter

On these dark, cold mornings, spring still seems a very long way away. Our skin and hair (not to mention our mood) often suffer during the winter months as biting winds and central heating take their toll. Thankfully, a little TLC can make a big difference. When your skin is feeling dry, the temptation is to pile on a super-rich face moisturiser. But dryness often goes hand in hand with sensitivity, and too heavy a product can make things worse. Instead, switch to a gentle balm cleanser. Tea & Tonic’s The Meadow’s Secret Cleaning Balm (£28, www.teaandtonic.co.uk) is a good choice. It’s 100% natural and rich in seed and flower oils to nourish your skin as it cleanses. Massage a small amount of the balm into wet skin, then wipe it off with a warm, damp cloth. The jar may seem small, but you only need a tiny amount of the balm, so it lasts for a surprisingly long time.

Follow your cleanse with a hyaluronic acid serum or a face oil to hydrate without clogging pores. Body scrubs and lotions often go out of the window during winter, when we’re covered up from head to toe, but it’s worth taking the time to treat your skin now and then. Go for a gentle body scrub with added moisturisers. Sanctuary Spa’s Signature Natural Oils Salt Scrub (£16) uses sea salt to exfoliate away dead skin, and coconut, almond, sunflower, wheat germ and jojoba oils to add moisture. Your skin will thank you for it. In between uses, the Signature Natural

Oils Ultra Rich Shower Oil (£8.50) will keep your skin feeling soft and pampered. Both are available at www.boots.co.uk.

Prefer soap to shower gel? Trii’s Hand & Body Exfoliating Wash Bars (£8, trii.co.uk) gently remove dry skin as they clean. They’re also rich in natural moisturisers, like aloe vera. And they smell amazing. (The lemongrass scent is particularly uplifting.)

Our hands can really suffer during winter. If yours feel dry, cracked and sore, the first thing to do is ditch your liquid hand soap. Liquid soaps usually contain sodium lauryl sulphate and other harsh ingredients that can really irritate skin. Swap to a solid soap bar, like the ones from Faith in Nature (£2.75, www.faithinnature.co.uk).

Does your scalp feel itchy, flaky or sore in winter? You’re not alone. And you don’t have to put up with it. As Anabel Kingsley says, “The scalp is simply an extension of the skin on your forehead, and therefore it should be cared for with the same attention devoted to facial skin.” Philip Kingsley’s award winning Flaky/Itchy Scalp range has gained thousands of five-star reviews. And no wonder. The products work to gently clean your hair and scalp, while soothing irritation, stopping the itchiness and clearing dandruff in a matter of days.

From £10.50, at www.philipkingsley.co.uk.

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