Hi, I’m Jess. I am the proud owner of two amazing horses, Evie and Scorpion. Evie is my 8 year old warmblood whose journey I am really proud of. I’ve loved watching her grow and learn from when she was a baby and seeing our hard work pay off as she can be a very tricky girl, but I adore her!
Scorpion is a 13 year old ex racehorse who has had a bit of a journey with me… after an accident in the field he was on box rest for over a year and I am delighted that my bandaging skills are no longer needed and we are back having fun – hacking across the fields and out jumping again. He is so sweet and kind and we were even interviewed by STV.
Both my horses are on DIY livery at Regilmy Equestrian, so I get to start and end every day out in the fresh air dealing with my horses, and my dogs.
But horses aren’t my full time job, and I am proud to say that I own and run my own business, Jessica Jay Salon which is based in Perth. Between the salon, the horses, the dogs and competing – I’m kept very busy which I wouldn’t change, but I know first hand how challenging it can be going into winter and taking care of my skin.
The cold and damp weather has already started so I thought I’d share my advice with you all.
I know that winter with horses can be tough, and it can be tiring and draining enough without trying to find time for self care and skin care. I’ll admit I am a total skincare geek though and I really believe it’s important to look after what we have been born with without it having to cost a fortune!
If you’re like me, you want your spare more money to go on your horses, right? So here are some of my top tips for effective winter skincare to avoid dull, tired skin and those eye bags!
Jess' Top Tips for Winter Skin Care
1. This one is simple - hydrate!
Hydrate from within by drinking more water. It’s much easier to drink water in the summer as it’s hot so naturally we drink more. Throughout the winter we tend to forget to drink as much water as we should be. However, drinking water really helps your skin stay hydrated, flush out any toxins and helps to reduce the signs of aging.
2. SPF
I can’t stress this enough – believe it or not SPF isn’t just for summer! UV rays damage your skin even in winter. Up to 80% of UV rays can still penetrate through clouds and reach your skin. It’s even worse when it’s been snowing as the sun’s rays can reflect off the snow, intensifying exposure. SPF 30 will do the job, applied in the morning after cleansing.
3. Cleansing
In the winter you want to use a hydrating cleanser rather than a foaming cleanser to avoid stripping the skin from its natural oils. Ensure you are cleansing your skin after you’ve been at the yard, as the hay dust can really build up on your skin. Apply your cleanser all over your face and neck and remove with a clean facial sponges or cloth – don’t just splash the water on with your hands!
4. Moisturise
If you have dry skin in the winter a thicker, use a cream-based moisturiser to combat dryness. Look for ingredients like hyaluronic acid and ceramides.
If your skin stays naturally more on the oily side throughout winter or you have spot prone skin avoid thick cream based products and opt for lighter gel-like hydration.
5. Exfoliate
Exfoliate regularly but gently to remove dead skin cells, as the majority of scrubs tend to do more damage than good! Do not be scared of chemical exfoliants that include active ingredients and/or AHAs & BHAs, as they are better for your skin and result driven. Just make sure you have the correct product for your skin type (I can help you with this if you need some advice!).
6. Diet
It’s been proven that we want more and fatty food in the winter compared to summer months, especially if we have been busy at the horses in the winter weather and heading home in the dark and cold. But carbs and healthy fats are not our enemy! Healthy fats play an essential role in maintaining skin health. A diet rich in this will leave you with glowing skin as they promote cell turnover. A good idea is to eat lots of berries as they are rich in antioxidants which are super beneficial to our skin.
7. Alcohol intake
It might feel inviting on a cold night, but alcohol is aging for our skin and very dehydrating. Around Christmas a lot of us tend to drink more alcohol, so make sure that you are flushing this out with plenty water. Alcohol can stimulate the sebaceous glands, leading to increased oil production. This can contribute to acne and blemishes.
Have fun – but remember the importance of moderating alcohol intake, staying hydrated, and maintaining a balanced diet rich in vitamins and antioxidants. This is even more important when we are partying and drinking more.
8. Sleep and stress
Sleep is important as we all know for a huge list of reasons, and stress ages the skin! Truthfully, I’m not going to give you strict tips on either as then I wouldn’t be practicing what I’m preaching as I always seem to be tired and I am the queen of burn out so hopefully someone can give me tips on that one! However, I do make a point of getting a regular massage and having baths as this does help me. So take some “you time” and get a good night’s sleep!
9. Lip care
Spending hours outdoors in winter often leads to dry and cracked lips, so use a nourishing balm. I avoid using Vaseline on my lips as while Vaseline can lock in moisture, it doesn’t actually hydrate the lips.
If your lips are already dry, it may not provide the relief you need unless used in conjunction with a hydrating balm. Products that include shea butter or beeswax are good for lips.
10. Facial treatments
Book a facial! A consultation and facial treatment with an experienced aesthetician or beauty therapist will help your skin massively throughout winter.
I hope these tips have helped you with your winter skin care. If you would like any advice or would be interested in booking in with me please feel free to contact me on my salon Facebook page ‘Jessica Jay Salon’.
As well as skincare and facials I also offer a wide range of beauty and massage treatments so I can help you get through winter.
Jess x
Images courtesy of HKM Photography and Sinclair Photography.
