Like many babies and children, my little ones are particularly susceptible to dry and chapped skin at this time of year. I have to admit that Childs Farm products are a bit of a favourite in our house (I’m not being paid to say this). If you’re not familiar with the brand or their beautiful packaging, Childs Farm is an award winning British brand that uses naturally derived ingredients and essential oils to produce a range of mild, kind and delicious smelling toiletries for newborns, babies and children. In the spirit of true partnership (and selfishly to find out any magic tips); I quizzed the team at Childs Farm about winter skin. I wanted to share the best bits with you:
Why does the cold weather affect our skin so badly?
The drop in temperature over winter brings challenges to our skin as we move in and out of cold wind and air, to very dry heated areas. You need to keep your skin hydrated to prevent dry skin. It is important to moisturise all skin areas (even forgotten feet) to make sure that skin cells remain hydrated and plump.
Can you give me your top winter skin tips?
1. Apply a moisturiser all over yours and your little ones’ face, body and hands once or twice a day to keep skin in good health. Apply more to face and hands before going outside. Red cheeks don’t only mean it is cold, but also that skin is getting dehydrated.
2. Skin on hands is thinner than on other parts of your body, so be sure to have a good quality moisturiser in the office, play room, kitchen and loo. Reapply often, especially after getting hands wet. Teach little ones to do this. By teaching them young, they learn good habits throughout their lives.
3. Hot baths are very dehydrating for skin, so keep them warm but not hot, and keep it short! Use a moisturising bubble bath, and apply a moisturiser to skin within 5 minutes of getting out. As with every new product used, make sure you patch test before use to check suitability.
4. Lips are very prone to dryness, so make sure they are well moisturised too.
5. The scalp can be very prone to dryness at this time of year, so use a shampoo which is suitable for sensitive skin.
6. Hair is also prone to static, so condition well each time that you wash hair and use a detangling spray (the ultimate in conditioners) on static hair and tangles between washes. Minimise blow drying hair as this removes moisture from the scalp.
7. Nails are more prone to cracking and splitting, so keep them short.
8. Give skin and health a natural boost by:
- Increasing vitamin C intake to help boost the production of collagen.
- Keeping up intake of Omega-3 fatty acids; found in walnuts, oily fish, avocado and olive oil.
- Including whole grains in your diet, packed with selenium which gives our skin its elasticity.
- Taking a vitamin D supplement. Vitamin D is principally drawn from sunlight which we miss in the winter months.
Be aware that little ones need to drink more water than you think in the cold, although this won’t prevent them from getting dry skin. Try warm herbal teas as an alternative to water.
The main thing to remember is moisturise, moisturise, moisturise!
COMPETITION TIME
Win a Childs Farm Winter Skin Bundle.
Visit our Facebook, Twitter or Instagram pages to enter.
