Winter skin saviours for students: Skincare for those on a smaller budget

Winter can play havoc on unprotected skin

Winter is creeping up on us, and the weather is verging on the edge of bitter. Going through a mixture of blasting winds to overheated lecture theatres is just another problem for already stressed skin.

There are ways of keeping dry, dull skin at bay without having to splash out on posh face creams, however. Here’s how to save your skin without breaking the bank.

Exfoliate

First up, you will need a good exfoliator to get rid of all that dry skin. Simple has a range of good scrubs which are gentle on sensitive skin. Their Kind To Skin Smoothing Cleansing Scrub (1) is a purse-friendly £3.99, and will work doubly by helping to control any breakouts. A muslin cloth is also a great way to to remove dead skin, and should be a staple in every student cosmetics kit. Use it to take off your cleanser, but make sure you wash it regularly or it will become a breeding ground for pore-clogging bacteria.

Moisturise

It’s important to get a good moisturiser to help replenish your skin and create a barrier between it and the wind. The Body Shop’s Vitamin E Moisture Cream (2, £10) might push you if you’re on a tight budget, but it’s an investment worth making. Wonderfully rich and nourishing, a little goes a long way and it will last you through to next term. Your body does most of its repairing while you sleep, so try to get an early night once in a while and consider using a night cream. Superdrug Simply Pure Night Cream (3, £4.59) is a no-fuss moisturiser that will be kind if you’re prone to breakouts.

Use a mask

Your skin will be struggling with the weather on top of everything from hangovers to coursework stress, so treat it to a night in and a face mask. H&M’s Raspberry Smoothie Pore Cleansing Mask (4) is a bargain at 99p, and will lift all the bad stuff from your pores, leaving your skin bright and soft. Alternatively, you can make your own mask at barely any cost. Mash a banana with a small amount of oatmeal and honey and smooth it over your skin for 10 - 20 minutes. Wash it off and you’ll be amazed at how nourishing your breakfast can be!

Lips

Lips are probably the most abused by the winter chill. Cracked, blistered and chapped, they need some extra care. Vaseline will create a protective barrier for your lips, but can also be drying so you will need something that moisturises as well. Palmer’s Cocoa Butter Lip Butter (5) is as good as its body equivalent, and is a student-savvy £1.89. If you’re really suffering, Blistex Relief Cream (6, £2.59) is an ultra-moisturising saviour and will return your lips to normal in no time.

Body/hands

When you’re concentrating on your face’s battle against the elements, it can be easy to forget the rest of you. Take care of dry skin on tricky places like elbows and knees with an exfoliating glove and rich moisturiser. It might not be the most glamourous, but E45 Nourish and Restore (7, £3.99) will alleviate dry and irritated skin in no time. Hands can also bear the brunt of the weather, and Soap & Glory Hand Food (8, £5) is one of the best hand creams out there. Intensely nourishing and smoothing, it will get you through late night sessions in a freezing library.