Celebrity facialist shares winter skincare tricks to keep dryness at bay

Skincare expert Eavanna Breen, who has worked as a beauty therapist for more than three decades, has treated famous faces like Greg O’Shea, Samantha Mumba, and Holly Carpenter over the years.

Unfortunately, cold weather brings dry skin along with it by pulling the moisture from the epidermis - but this doesn’t have to be the case.

To combat the dreaded scaly complexion, Eavanna says we should focus on building a good skin barrier.

“Getting the correct dose of both moisture and lipids onto your skin and avoiding under or over-treating your skin is essential for maintaining a healthy skin barrier,” she said.

“Ultimately, having a healthy skin barrier is paramount to how good your skin looks. A healthy skin barrier contributes to a smooth, even complexion.

“The skin can appear dull, rough, or uneven when the barrier is compromised. A well-preserved skin barrier is essential for your skin's overall health and vitality. It ensures that your skin functions optimally, allowing you to enjoy a comfortable, resilient, and attractive complexion.”

But how do maintain a strong and healthy skin barrier, we hear you ask? Eavanna’s got you covered! Here are her tips to keep your skin healthy, beautiful and radiant all winter long.

Gentle cleansing

Some soaps can dry out the skin by stripping away its natural oils, so it’s best to opt for mild, hydrating cleansers. Oil cleansers are Eavanna’s favourite for locking in moisture, especially if they feature castor, jojoba, or olive oil.

“Consider occasional gentle exfoliation using chemical exfoliants like alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) or beta hydroxy acids (BHAs) to remove dead skin cells without physical abrasion,” she adds.

Intense Hydration

Moisturising rehydrates and soothes dry, itchy skin. Your skin may be drier in the winter months, so you may need to moisturise more often and/or use a heavier moisturiser.

Eavanna says: “Incorporate hydrating facial masks or deep moisturising treatments to provide an extra boost of hydration to your skin. Choose moisturisers and serums with ceramides and fatty acids, to support the skin barrier and enhance its resilience.”

Regular Application of Serums

“Integrate serums rich in Panthenol, antioxidants, and skin-replenishing ingredients such as Hyaluronic Acid to strengthen the skin barrier, decrease transepidermal water loss (the process of water leaving the body through the skin), and hydrate the skin,” Eavanna recommends.

Increase antioxidants intake

“Absorbing antioxidants can hugely help protect your skin from UV damage, all year long,” Eavanna says.

The skincare guru says that we should eat more foods that are rich in beta-carotene and other carotenoids, which can help protect our skin against UV rays.

The best sources of carotenoids are carrots, sweet potatoes, pumpkins, spinach, squash, broccoli, mangos, apricots, kale, peas, tomatoes and melon, while Vitamin E in vegetable oils, almonds and nuts also helps to protect us from the sun.

Sun Protection

The sun emits ultraviolet (UV) rays, which can damage skin cells and result in premature ageing or sunburn. UV light type A (UVA) is present all year round, even on dull winter days.

“Even in winter, UV rays can damage the skin barrier. Apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen daily, especially on exposed areas like the face and hands,” Eavanna says.

Professional treatments

Eavanna also recommends trying out professional treatments in a highly-regarded skin clinic.

“Expert treatments that focus on skin hydration, such as hyaluronic acid-based dermal boosters, Mesotherapy or Profhilo, will hugely contribute to a healthy skin barrier and glowing skin this winter season.”