Co-Founder of Aromatherapy Associates, Geraldine Howard, passes on her words of wisdom to achieve soft, supple, radiant skin during the harsh winter months. In the newly opened Knightsbridge-boutique you can find the whole range of products, pamper yourself with one of their therapeutic spa-treatments and at the same time take home with you some luxury sample freebies!
As we move through the seasons, it’s important to adapt your skincare regime accordingly as the climate dramatically affects the state of the skin. As you begin to have to wear thicker clothing and deal with colder weather, the skin can become more temperamental, generally dehydrated and more sensitive. Here are Geraldine's top tips to help keep your face and body looking super radiant as we move into Autumn and Winter:
1: Once a week, apply a layer of products to the face and body before bed. Begin on the face, with a serum, facial oil and moisturiser. If your skin is feeling dry and generally looking a little lacklustre, also apply a mask as an additional layer under the moisturiser to seal in the goodness. Then, layer a body gel, body oil and cream over the whole body. Wrap yourself in loose bed clothing and leave to absorb overnight. You’ll notice an immediate benefit.
2: Get into the habit of looking after the skin as well in the winter as you do all summer. Whilst not as many areas of skin are on show, the better condition you keep your body in throughout the year, the easier it will be when you do wear dresses or sleeveless items in the colder weather.
3: The circulation can be more sluggish in the winter, so it’s important to incorporate massage into your daily routine to keep a radiant complexion. Rather than viewing cleansing as just removing make up each evening, consider it an opportunity to perform a mini-treatment on the whole face. Carry out lots of small circular movements as you apply the product – this is an invaluable way to boost capillary circulation, helping to remove impurities and generate radiant, healthy skin.
4: I recommend a full body exfoliation at least once a week, and the same for the face. But always be conscious of which of your products actually contain a form of exfoliation, so that you don’t overdo it. One of the biggest causes of premature aging is over exfoliation of the skin, which causes inflammation.
5: If you wear a hat in the cooler months, hair can get very dry and become static. Treat it weekly with a nourishing hair oil, massing into the scalp through to the ends of the hair.
Aromatherapy Associates Boutique and Treatment Rooms is on 5 Montpellier Street, London, SW7 1EZ. Get your very own customised tailor made treatment, or select one of the 35 treatments from the set menu, such as 'Jet Lag Cure', 'Ultimate Post Pregnancy Skin Nourisher', 'Instant Eye Repair' or the 'City Stress Buster'. Something for all! Here's the menu.
If you want to create your own home spa, try the Miniature Bath & Shower Oil Collection (opening photo). Containing the complete collection of Aromatherapy Associates award winning bath & shower oils, it will turn a warm bath or shower into a wonderful aromatherapy experience. Relax will help you slow down or induce a good night’s sleep, De-Stress can help to clear your mind and ease physical stresses and strains, Revive invigorates and energises a weary mind and body, and Support takes care of you in times of need; the ideal combination to see you through a busy period. Together, they help tackle jet lag, boost the immune system, and make early mornings that little bit easier to handle! Packed in a convenient metallic case, the collection is ideal for travelling too :)
9 x 3 ml, £28.50. Also available at Fortnum & Mason, Space NK, Liberty, and at www.aromatherapyassociates.com.