Get your winter skin glow on. . . Part 1!

To keep skin hydrated and glowing this winter (especially if you live in a harsh, cold climate) it's important to keep up with your skincare routine, but to also add in a few extras steps. I use these steps every week and find they help enormously. Suffering from sensitive skin myself, none of these should  be too harsh, but I'll also let you know how to go about doing them for your own skin type. These steps are done in a deliberate order to maximize the benefits of this routine. So, if you'd like to know how to get your 'winter skin glow on', then keep reading :)

Steaming your skin is incredibly helpful in unclogging pores and refreshing you skin. Ready made toner tabs from Lush or essential oils can be dropped into a bowl of steaming water. By placing a towel on top of your head with your face over the bowl you immediately open the pores and stop any steam escaping. You can also alternatively soak a cloth in the water, rinse the excess and then apply gently over your face. This method is recommended more for those who suffer from rosacea, dilated or broken capillaries.

• Sensitive skin: 2-3 minutes, once a week.
• Dry skin: 2-5 minutes, once a week. The process can be a little drying, if so, you can use a protectant balm or cream over skin whilst steaming.
• Oily skin: 5-10 minutes, once to twice a week.

       Keep in mind, everyone's skin is different and this is just a guideline.

As pores are now open, exfoliation will be incredibly effective in removing dead skin, dirt and black heads. For all skin types, I recommend not applying too much pressure and being extremely gentle, especially with sensitive skin. Use a gentle exfoliater, but if irritation occurs then I would take this step out of the routine and exfoliate another time when your skin isn't so fragile. Some people also say that the removal of spots and black heads in this process should be done by a professional as there can be a possibility of infection.

After exfoliation applying a face mask will greatly benefit your skin as it will seep more deeply into the skin and work more effectively. Choose one according to your skin type, i.e. a hydrating mask for dry skin. I've personally fallen for Montagne Jeunesse's masks recently, which are such good value for money and great quality as well.

After removing the face mask applying a toner can help rid of excess product and cleanse your skin. The final step for me then is to apply a face oil. For different skin types of course you could vary between oils, serums or even an astringent for oily skins, such as witch hazel. I personally like using hydrating oils before applying my moisturiser.

And that's about it! Hope you all enjoyed part 1 and found it helpful. Let me know if you decide to try this, but keep in mind this is my personal routine and different skin types can react in different ways. Part 2 will be up tomorrow!

Do you have any tips on keeping winter skin hydrated?