Our spa manager, Abby’s, top tips for winter skincare
As we approach the winter season, there’s so much to look forward to. Cosy winter nights, endless hot chocolate and, of course, Christmas. As you start to wrap up warm and update your wardrobe, it can be all too easy to forget about skincare. The cold, dry air that comes with the winter months can sap the moisture out of your skin.
At this time of year, your skin is missing the sunlight that gives us a natural glow. It often helps to adopt skincare routines, using good quality products that can restore moisture and tackle pesky patches.
At Tewkesbury Park, our partnership with the Natural Spa Factory allows us to use honest, pure products, target specific skin types and offer a personalised service.
At the Natural Spa Factory, the secret is in its name; all products are made with authentic, botanically sourced ingredients, with a focus on environmental awareness and sustainability. We’re incredibly proud to be working with a brand whose products are cruelty-free, paraben-free, gender-neutral and utterly luxurious.
With all this in mind, we’ve spoken Abby, our Spa Manager. Here are her tips on looking after your skin during the winter season.
Regular facials are key
It takes 3-4 weeks for your skin to move through a full life cycle of skin cell growth. When your newly regenerated cells surface, it’s important to treat them well and optimise their growth throughout the remainder of their cycle. The best way to do this is by indulging in a bespoke facial that will target your unique skin type. In the long term, having regular facials will ensure calm, clear and hydrated skin – which becomes particularly essential in the winter months.
Cold weather conditions can lead to troublesome niggles, such as itchiness and irritation. A facial can help to naturally combat these issues; when the skin becomes hydrated, the cell structure of the skin is regenerated. This creates a brand new layer of skin that’s full of water, nutrients, and vitamins, giving you a healthy, dewy appearance.
At Tewkesbury Park, we carefully curate bespoke facials that target specific skin types. The aim is to provide a personalised skincare ritual that can continue even after your treatment.
Use a night oil & gel cleanser
The best time to use a facial oil is at night since this is when your skin oxygenates. This means the product can penetrate more deeply into the skin. My favourite product is Natural Spa Factory’s Dusk To Dawn Night Oil; it adapts to all skin types and combines 9 pure oils that focus on skin cell repair and regeneration.
If you already use a facial cleanser, notice how it makes your skin feel. If your skin often feels tight after use, it’s likely that your skin’s natural barrier is being affected. Instead, I’d recommend using a more nourishing gel cleanser. I love this Rose Gel Cleanser; once applied to warm skin, it melts to a hydrating oil consistency, before transforming into a milky fluid when it makes contact with water. This gentle cleanser can be used to support and protect the eye area, whilst also being an effective makeup remover.
Lip balms & skin exfoliation
Chapped lips are, undoubtedly, an unpleasant yet all-too-real problem during the winter months. I recommend that you keep a lip balm with you at all times – then you can continue to apply the lip balm throughout the day. I recommend trying Wanderbalm, a totally organic product that uses the moisturising properties of coconut oil to offer soothing, protective benefits to the skin.
Skin exfoliation is an important step in the skincare process, supporting and assisting effective cell regeneration. During the winter, I suggest exfoliating twice a week, this will help your moisturiser sink deeper into your skin.
Indulge in a spa day
Spa days offer many more benefits to the body than relaxation alone. The body experiences both hot and cold sensations; and when combined, they help to relieve muscular aches and pains, detox the skin and boost the body’s metabolism.
Look after your nails
The dry weather can cause weakness and make your nails prone to splitting. To prevent this, apply lots of cuticle oil to protect your nails and promote growth. Additionally, when giving yourself a manicure, ensure that you only ever file them in one direction – since filing them side to side can cause chipping. It’s also important to avoid filing your nails after washing your hands or stepping out of the shower, as wet nails break more easily.
We’re passionate about ensuring that all of our spa guests are offered treatments that nourish their specific skin type. Our partnership with the Natural Spa Factory, combined with our expert techniques, help us to deliver a service we’re so proud of. To find out more, or to make an appointment, click here.