3:53pm Tuesday 26th January 2010
The headlines claimed it was the worst winter for 30 years.
While the disgruntled nation couldn't stop moaning about snowstorms, sleet and ice, your skin and hair were the silent sufferers of the big chill.
Frizzy locks, chapped hands, nippy toes and scaly skin – those extreme weather conditions have spelt disaster for our beauty regime.
Just as your body craves warming soups in the winter and fresh salads in the summer, our skin and hair also require some seasonal upkeep adjustment to correspond with the barometer.
Sally Penford, education manager at the International Dermal Institute, says: "While we don the opaque tights and long sleeves for winter, we somehow find it acceptable to ignore the skin on our bodies under the premise that we can't see it!
“Just a few minutes a day can keep winter skin glowing with the freshness of summer.”
So, see off the effects of Jack Frost and give your bod some post-chill soothing.
BODY WORK
Switching from arctic temperatures to stifling central heating is pretty unavoidable in the winter, but the extreme contrasts leave your poor skin in a confused state.
DON’T: Lather up with soap. Your skin has an acidic pH of between four and six to provide a barrier of protection against moisture loss.
DO: Swap your outdoor gloves for an exfoliating mitt and try a weekly body scrub to bring dull skin back to life. Once skin is smooth, boost your winter dry skin with an intensive moisturiser, such as Vaseline Intensive Rescue Moisture Locking Cream, right, £3.99.
HIGH FIVES
Unless you’re in possession of some superhero gloves that keep every millimetre of your digits snug, your hands are one of the first areas to suffer in the biting cold.
DON’T: Forget your SPF. There may be no sunshine but the UV rays can still penetrate in the winter months.
DO: Spend a few minutes before bed massaging hand cream – such as Dove Intensive Cream for extra dry hands, left, £2.99 – into your paws so they can recover overnight.
FEET FOR A QUEEN
It’s easy to forget your feet when they’re buried in Ugg boots and swathed in thick socks but your tootsies need special attention too.
DON’T: Wear irritating materials, such as wool, on your feet, even if they do keep them snug.
DO: Use an effective emollient – such as Neutrogena Norwegian Formula Nourishing Foot Cream, right, £5.49 regularly on your feet to prevent dryness – it will need to be more moisturising than your usual body lotion.
TAMED TRESSES
Hat hair is the least of your worries in the winter. Cold and damp weather can leave your hair looking frizzy, flyaway and out of control – and not in an intentional mussed-up way!
DON’T: Neglect your weekly intensive treatments as central heating can really dehydrate your hair, as it does with your skin.
DO: Treat thirsty hair with a good moisture enriching shampoo and conditioner – such as Aussie Miracle Moist Shampoo and Conditioner, left, £3.49 each – to help prevent breakage, split ends and frizz.
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