Winterproof Your Grooming Routine

Wham, bam… just like that summer is officially over. It’s time to pack away your flip flops and boardshorts for another year and dig out your Chelsea boots, wool coat and cable knits - we are now officially in Autumn!

The darker nights, shorter days and colder weather can come as a bit of a shock to the system and not least to your hair and skin. The impending colder temperatures, wetter weather and harsh indoor heating can wreak havoc with your looks, but never fear, with a bit of forward planning and a few simple changes to your routine you’ll be at the top of your game, whatever winter throws at you.

To give you a helping hand, our experts have compiled a list of key basics to winterproof your grooming routine and keep you looking suave and feeling great when the temperature drops.

Facial Hair When it comes to shaving, preparation is the key to success and hydration is the name of the game. Unfortunately winter skin is often dry, flaky, sore and prone to shaving rash. During the colder months your pre-prep routine is more important than ever.

If you shave, choose a pre-shave product that is made with all-natural ingredients and that has a thin, smooth consistency to hydrate and soften your stubble and prepare the hairs for cutting. Try Razor MD RX Herbal Blend Shaving Cream to protect your skin from irritation and defend against razor burn, bumps and ingrown hair for a comfortable shave all winter.

Finish your shave with a quality post-shave balm, such as êShave Orange Sandalwood After Shave Soother, to return moisture and soothe and nourish the new, tender skin. The lightweight, non-greasy lotion is easily and rapidly absorbed to calm, hydrate and heal the skin and leaves a layer of protection to relieve dry skin throughout the day. Balms also help to reduce shaving rash which is a very common problem in the dryer, colder conditions.

If you sport facial hair, whether that’s designer stubble, a full on beard or a stylish mo, make sure you keep the skin beneath your whiskers hydrated by massaging in some beard balm or conditioning oil. Facial hair wicks moisture away from the surface of the skin drying it out, which if you’re not careful can lead to unsightly beard dandruff.

Sensitive Skin It’s important to cleanse your face daily to remove dirt, sebum and impurities and rejuvenate and condition your skin, but during the winter months you may find that your normal face wash is too harsh and irritates already sensitive, wind-chaffed skin. The Australian BodyCare Facial Wash is a mild cleanser which is suitable for everyday use, even in the coldest months. Benefiting from tea tree oil, it cleanses and purifies the skin, leaving it fresh and clean without stripping it of essential oils.

You should exfoliate all year round, but it’s even more important at this time of year. The combination of cold, dry air and central heating causes your skin cells to dehydrate and dry out faster in winter. Weekly exfoliation buffs away this dead, dull skin, allowing new, healthy cells to come to the surface. Exfoliating your skin regularly also helps in providing a closer shave; removing dead skin that could clog your razor, lifting stubble and preventing ingrown hairs. If you’ve not exfoliated before, give SuperScrub by King of Shaves a go. It’s micro-particles and natural fruit extracts gently exfoliate away excess oil, dirt and dead skin leaving your face in ultimate condition and it is soap free, making it ideal for sensitive winter skin.

Dry Skin Ironically, despite being wetter, in the colder months the humidity levels drop. This reduction in moisture, combined with icy winds inevitably leads to sore, dry, flaky skin. Even if you don’t use it at any other time of year, now’s the time to embrace moisturiser. Choose a good quality cream specially formulated for masculine facial use, such as the Gillette 3 in 1 Instant Hydration Moisturiser. It provides instant hydration to soothe, condition and protect. It also contains SPF 15 to protect skin from UVA/UVB rays. UV rays from the sun are just as strong and damaging to your skin when it’s cold, wet and cloudy outside - you’ve been warned.

It’s not just your face that suffers at this time of year - extreme cold, winter wind and frequent hand-washing is hard on your hands, especially if you’re not one for gloves. Eliminate cracked, dry skin and rough, ragged cuticles by investing in a rich hand and body cream such as SteamCream Original Body Lotion. Suitable for all skin types, the healing and hydrating formula soothes dry skin and even helps combat skin conditions such as eczema & psoriasis. Apply it regularly throughout the day for supple and smooth, touchable hands.

Chapped Lips Lips don’t have any oil glands to keep them moisturised so are especially vulnerable to chapping and soreness in the the colder months. Carrying a tube of nourishing lip balm in your coat pocket and applying it regularly is the best defense against chapping. Look for a shine-free lip balm with a paraben and fragrance-free formula and a high quantity of shea or cocoa butter, which nourishes and moisturises. Also avoid licking and biting your lips as much as possible to reduce further irritation (not an easy one we know).

Dull Hair Wind, rain, cold and hair do not mix well and winter conditions can lead to a frizzy, dull and unmanageable barnet. During the winter months shampoo your hair half as often as you normally would, allowing your natural moisturising oils to build up to combat a dry scalp, and introduce a conditioner to keep hair from becoming dry and brittle.

Choose a light, slightly fragranced, good quality shampoo, conditioner and hair wax to cleanse and reduce oiliness on the the hair and replenish and nourish a dry, sensitive scalp. The Uppercut Deluxe Combination Pack contains everything you need for pleasant-smelling, shiny, groomed hair, even in the depths of winter.

Incorporating these simple changes into your grooming routine over the colder months doesn’t take much and trust us, is well worth the effort. It may be cold, dark and wet but you’ll be every inch the well groomed gent.