From cutting back on chocolate to eating more beef these tips will keep your skin looking & feeling its best this winter

THE heating is on full blast, we have had too much chocolate and it is chilly outside.

And none of this is good news for your skin.

Dr Anton Alexandroff, a top dermatologist, says: “A poor diet, central heating and the wintry air causes all sorts of skin problems. But there are little things you can do to make sure your skin stays in top shape heading into the new year.”

Here Dr Alexandroff tells LYNSEY HOPE how to cope with some of the most common winter skin complaints.

SPOTTY SKIN

AVOID: Chocolate.

WHY? Evidence has shown both milk and dark chocolate can have an effect and just 25g can make your skin worse up to two weeks after you have eaten it. Dairy foods can also cause flare-ups.

WHAT TO DO: A gentle cleansing of the face once or twice a day is helpful for your skin to clean out pores. Avoid heavy-duty foundation, which can clog pores and sebaceous glands.

BUY: Benzoyl peroxide gel or wash is available over the counter.

It is very affordable and effective.

Applying green tea can reduce acne but it takes up to eight weeks to see a result.

Soak a cloth in warm or chilled tea and administer to your face in the morning and evening.

HYPERPIGMENTATION

AVOID: The contraceptive pill.

WHY? One type of hyperpigmentation on the face known as melasma can get worse with female hormones, so consider if you really need a combined contraceptive pill and check with your GP about alternative contraception.

WHAT TO DO: Always wear a moisturiser or suncream with SPF 50 to protect the skin.

BUY: Melasma can be improved by azelaic acid cream.

You can buy ten per cent azelaic acid from Boots for £5.50 or higher concentrations are available on prescription.

UNDER-EYE BAGS

AVOID: Smoke.

WHY? Even if you do not smoke, try to avoid passive smoking as it can really age your skin.

WHAT TO DO: Try a cool compress.

Wet a clean cloth with cool water and apply using mild pressure for a few minutes.

Have a good sleep — seven to nine hours for adults.

BUY: Treatments such as lasers and surgery are pricey, so take simple steps first.

Make sure your hay fever is under control as this can worsen bags.

Try over-the-counter antihistamines from your pharmacy.

DRY SKIN OR ECZEMA

AVOID: Soap, washing-up liquid, shower gel.

WHY? These products can remove the protective lipid or fat layer from the skin, making it dry and inflamed.

Water also removes the protective lipids from the skin, causing dryness and eczema.

WHAT TO DO: Wear gloves. When doing the housework, wear cotton gloves and put rubber ones over the top.

BUY: Emollient creams are good at preserving and restoring the skin barrier made of lipids or fats.

I prescribe Epaderm ointment to eczema patients but you can buy a tube in pharmacies (£7.50 for 125g at boots.com).

PSORIASIS

AVOID: Stress.

WHY? Stress and anxiety are known to be big triggers.

WHAT TO DO: Evidence shows eating a little raw cumin regularly may help some patients.

BUY: Regularly using emollients such as Epaderm ointment or cream can help to manage skin during a flare-up, but also apply it daily to maintain your skin.

RED SKIN

AVOID: Hot air and central heating.

WHY? Rosacea, a condition which causes the skin to redden, will worsen if you spend a lot of time near hot ovens or indoors with the central heating turned up.

Avoid triggers which make you blush such as caffeine, alcohol or spicy food.

WHAT TO DO: Use an SPF50 suncream and wear a hat with a broad rim to protect the face.

BUY: If the above tips do not work, seeing a dermatologist may help.

WRINKLES

AVOID: Sugar.

WHY? Bad for your waistline and skin.

Sugar leads to the release of toxic compounds that damage elastin.

The sun’s UV rays also cause wrinkles.

WHAT TO DO: Add more nutrients to your diet to fight the damage caused by other vices. When your body makes collagen, it combines amino acids — nutrients you get from eating protein-rich foods such as beef, beans and eggs. It also requires vitamin C, zinc and copper.

BUY: A supplement such as Collagen Visage which is clinically proven to support collagen formation.

A clinical study showed it significantly increased skin elasticity compared with the placebo group after 24 weeks.

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