Cold winter air can create havoc for your poor skin and hair. Here are some tips for looking after yourself during the coldest season of the year. This will not only keep you looking good now, but will prevent your skin from ageing prematurely.

1. Wrap up from head to toe.
Invest in a warm pair of gloves to protect your hands and prevent the skin on them from becoming dry and flaky. Don't forget to wear a hat as they help protect your hair from drying out and they keep your head nice and warm. Too much exposure to cold, harsh weather can leave hair brittle and dry making it more susceptible to damage.

2. At home, keep warm but not hot.

If the temperature inside is much hotter than outside it can irritate your skin and can even cause broken capillaries from the temperature shock when you get home or when you go out. While walking around at home wear slippers or warm socks to prevent getting cold feet which can cause chilblains, which cause your toes to swell, the skin to become sore and sometimes causes permanent disfigurement.

3. Your skin care routine should be adjusted.
Skin becomes drier in cold weather, especially if it's windy, because the moisture off the skin is evaporated more quickly by the wind, and the skin doesn't produce as much oil. Try using a slightly heavier moisturizer than you use in the summer, although still make sure that it's suitable for your skin type. Make sure you moisturize every morning, especially if you are going outside, to prevent your skin from becoming dry and flaky. Then at night, before going to bed, wash your face to remove make up and pollutants which could irritate your skin, and apply moisturizer to treat your skin while you sleep. A couple of times a week you should use a gentle exfoliater to scrub away dry skin which can become an issue in cold weather.

Tip: MOISTURIZE WITH THE BATHROOM DOOR CLOSED. It maintains the humidity. "Any humectants in your cream can help pull that moisture into your skin".

4. Prevent sun damage.

Sunscreen is the real fountain of youth. Get into the habit of applying sunscreen or a lotion with minimum SPF 15 (for dark skin) to 30 (for fair skin) protection daily. Remember that the sun's rays can still be damaging in winter months as it reflects off snow. If you don't like taking the time to put on both moisturizer and sunscreen, buy a moisturizer with sunscreen.

5. Give your lips extra attention to avoid them becoming chapped and splitting.

Apply a moisturizing lip balm when you are doing the rest of your skin care, make it part of your routine. As well as this, before you go outside apply some Vaseline/petroleum jelly to your lips as this creates a protective barrier between the cold air and your lips, locking in moisture (remember that Vaseline isn't actually moisturizing, it's only protective, so use another lip balm along side it).