Staying On Top!

No one performs to their best potential when they're not feeling themselves. If you are dwindling, it’s possible that your productivity is dwindling as well. 

Welcome to my new Staying On Top! newsletter bringing you tips on how to stay feeling yourself and keep your productivity on top form as well.

To start us off: WINTER SKIN CARE

Dry skin can always be a pain especially in the winter months…sometimes actually painful for some! Here are a few tips to keeping your skin feeling top notch:

Leave that thermostat alone: If you are like me and dash to switch the central heating on as soon as the temperature drops, you might find your skin not thanking you for it…

From constantly switching out the cold outdoor air for a warmer indoor atmosphere your skin can take a serious hit in the winter, drawing out it’s natural oils leaving it dry and uncomfortable. It can also tempt premature ageing. Central heating essentially dries the air which causes the skin to lose it’s natural moisture and draws out the natural oils. If you have a humidifier to hand then this can help to keep some moisture in the air. Same goes with hot showers and baths, as much as I love them! But best to ease up on the heat altogether where possible (but of course stay comfortable!)

Don’t over scrub: Don’t be tempted to exfoliate dry skin more than necessary as this can cause it to feel raw! If your skin becomes dry and flaky the best solution is to moisturise, moisturise, moisturise! In fact your usual skincare shouldn’t need to change much during the winter weather apart from possibly opting for a slightly thicker cream to ensure all that moisture is locked in!  See next tip for more deets!

 Moisturise, moisturise! Oil based, water based, lotion based- whichever moisturiser works best for your skin. Moisturising your skin helps it to regenerate efficiently. Here is mini breakdown of different moisturisers below: 

-Oil based, thick creamy moisturiser is a favourite for dry, flaky skin to help lock in all hydration. 

-Gel based moisturiser is usually water based. This is great for those who have oilier skin. It has a quick absorption rate and helps to balance out the level of natural oil production. It is also very lightweight and has a non-greasy texture once absorbed.

-Water based milk or lotion moisturisers are best for those with dehydrated skin which needs a bit of TLC. It is incredibly lightweight and due to it’s thinner consistency is less likely to block your pores, therefore decreasing chances of those pesky breakouts.

There is so much more I can say about these but I will leave those there for the moment! I feel a moisturising blog brewing!!

Use sun protection: Just because the sun isn’t beautifully blazing on us in the winter, we still need to ensure we use products with sufficient SPF to stop our skin from being damaged by the sun’s natural UV rays. Although we get the best source of Vitamin D from the sun, it only needs 10-15 minutes of exposure to give us our recommended daily amount.

Stay hydrated: Without sufficient hydration, our skin loses it’s natural elasticity leaving it feeling tight and uncomfortable. By keeping your water intake at a consistent level this will help to keep your body hydrated enough to help maintain its natural function and in turn help to keep your skin hydrated. Make sure you are still moisturising too!

Cut the caffeine: I am actually laughing while I write this as I no way cut my caffeine in the winter- in fact, with these dreary days and colder nights, it is ALL about the caffeine! However, by switching a cup of frothy latte to a soothing herbal tea, you are not only allowing your body better hydration but you are also lessening the intake of toxins which can affect your skin. Caffeine is also known for causing raised stress levels (and can cause severe anxiety in some cases if you already suffer from anxiety) which also has a negative impact on your skin. 

I could literally write a book about caring for your skin in the winter (considering my beauty therapy training I should be a lot better at doing this for myself ) 

Check out my next newsletter which I will be talking about chasing sleep, evening routine and developing good sleep habits. 

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Beth Thomas | Creator of Planner Addict- Time Management Coaching- Breaking down busy lifestyles into smaller stress free, manageable pieces  Master Your Productivity! online workshops and more!