It’s supposed to be the most wonderful time of the year, but apparently my face didn’t get the memo.
That arctic chill in the air is wreaking havoc on my skin, leaving me looking paler than ever (impressive as I was already giving Casper a run for his money), with chapped lips and dry patches.
To make matters worse, my hair is constantly being whipped about by the wind and all of my cosy clothes feel drab and unflattering. I miss my summer dresses and sparkly sandals something chronic.
To sum up: I’ve got a serious case of the winter uglies, and it seems I’m not the only one.
What are the winter uglies?
The ‘winter uglies’ is a term that women have coined online and it’s all to do with the way the gloomy winter months can leave you feeling like you’ve lost your spark, both physically and mentally.
The dark nights and cold weather cause many of us to become a bit of a hermit, staying home, bundling up in Oodies and PJs, forgoing our usual skincare routines and workouts, in favour of binge watching Gilmore Girls for the hundredth time in bed.
Now, there’s absolutely nothing wrong with doing any of that, but for some, it can take a bit of a toll on the way they look and feel.
On Reddit and TikTok, many have shared how they experience everything from break outs and irritation on their cheeks and nose, to frizzy hair, weight gain and watering eyes when they’re ‘trapped in the trenches of the winter uglies’.
All of this combined with the winter blues can make for some pretty low periods.
Sana Khwaja, a BACP-accredited therapist at BetterHelp, says: ‘It’s not surprising to me that a term like “winter uglies” has emerged, as this time of year many will notice thier mood dipping and it’s common to experience a winter slump.’
The expert explains that a big reason for this is because of the lack of sunlight and vitamin D, as this can cause a drop in our serotonin levels, which is a mood-stabilising hormone.
As a result you might find yourself feeling sad, and your sleep can be impacted by this too, leaving you more sluggish, unmotivated andpotentially less confident in how you look.
‘It’s not all in your head – there’s a real biological and psychological compontent,’ Sana assures.
Therapist Danny Greaves previously told Metro, that November and December can also create real ‘challenges’ as people reflect on missed achievements, goals and opportunities from the past year and feel a real sense of loss.
And some will also experience seasonal affective disorder, a clinical form of depression, that can be ‘quite severe’.
So, what can you do to combat this?
We’re sorry to say there’s no magic wand you can wave to deal with all this, but there are plenty of things you can try to feel a bit better in yourself.
For your mental health, if you’re really struggling, the best thing you can do is talk to someone. Consider trying therapy, or reaching out to trusted loved ones for some emotional support.
And Sana says it’s crucial when you’re down to get outside and get your body moving.
She advises: ‘Maintaining gentle routines like exercise or creative activities can also help to mask the negative thoughts related to our appearance and serve as a distraction. Every small step per day can improve mood and confidence, helping you feel more like yourself despite the darker, colder months.
‘And one tip that will never fail is making sure to get outside to capture even brief moments of daylight.’
Focusing on your sleep hygiene (by implementing a consistent routine) and eating well are also really important when you’re not feeling your best.
And social interaction can make a real difference to your wellbeing too – perhaps you can meet up with friends or family members for a walk or coffee, take part in activities you both enjoy, or even just have a catch-up over the phone to help you feel less lonely.
Get your skin glowing again
If it’s dry, irritated skin you’re struggling with amid the cold weather, Dr. Derrick Phillips, a CeraVe consultant dermatologist says there are several things in your home that might be contributing to the issue.
The expert tells Metro: ‘Several factors contribute to the way our skin behaves in colder weather, leading to the sensation of dryness and tightness. The combination of colder temperatures outside and the use of convection heating system indoors, leads to a reduction in air humidity which has a drying effect on the skin.’
He continues to say that taking too many hot showers could also be doing more harm than good, as the heat ‘strips away essential oils from the outer layer of the skin’.
But don’t panic, you don’t suddenly need to switch to cold plunges, just consider turning the temperature down a little so it’s warm instead of scalding, or simply reduce the amount of time you spend in the shower, staying in just as long as you need.
Many of us also experience reduced sebum production during winter, which can lead to a ‘compromised skin barrier’. This loss of moisture causes dryness, irritation and a feeling of tightness.
‘A healthy skin barrier is essential for retaining moisture and protecting against external irritants,’ Dr. Phillips says.
As such, he recommends switching out some of your regular skincare products at this time of year, ditching gel or foaming cleansers for a ‘more hydrating and nourishing’ balm or cream cleanser.
‘It’s also useful to consider transitioning from a lightweight moisturiser to a heavier, more emollient formula,’ he suggests. ‘Look for ingredients like ceramides and essential oils to lock in moisture and prevent water loss.’
And Dr. Phillips warns against exfoliating too much, as this can cause dryness and sensitivity. Instead try exfoliating once a week, or as needed.
The girlies of the internet have you covered as well, as they’ve been sharing their top tips for clawing your way out of the depths of winter uglies so you can feel like the bad b***h you are once more.
On Reddit, u/squeakyfromage shared what they do when they’re struggling, writing: ‘Took a bath with bath oil, let a hair mask sit for an hour then coaed myself with dry oil and moisturiser in an attempt to feel more human.’
Similarly, u/Wonderful-Frosting17 said: ‘Spray tans, tan extenders, and red light therapy are my best friends for winter. I stay glowing.’
And TikToker @lvblackwell agreed that applying fake tan is what makes all the difference for her.
Others suggested starting with actions that will get ‘quick results you can see and feel’, such as treating yourself to a blowout, a mani/pedi or eyebrow threading.
And when it comes to your make-up, many recommended using products like Charlotte Tilbury’s Magic Cream, sparkly eyeshadows, non-drying concealers and glowy or hydrating products instead of matte ones.
Finding things that bring you joy more generally might also help boost your mood. This could be trying new hobbies, dopamine dressing, going out to a place you love or seeing your friends.
Do you have a story to share?
Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@Metro.co.uk.
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