It was the biggest chill for 30 years.

And while the nation moaned incessantly about snow and ice, your skin and hair were the silent sufferers of the freezing temperatures.

Frizzy locks, chapped hands and scaly skin – those extreme weather conditions were disastrous 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 seasonal upkeep adjustment.

Sally Penford, education manager at the International Dermal Institute, says: “While we don the opaque tights and long sleeves for winter, we 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 why not give your bod some post-chill soothing?

 

BODY WORK

Switching from arctic temperatures to stifling central heating is unavoidable in the winter but the extremes leave your poor skin in a confused state.

“Skin becomes dehydrated due to central heating drying the air and moisture being leeched from your body,” Sally says.

DON’T: Lather up with soap. Your skin has an acidic pH of between 4-6 to provide a barrier of protection against moisture loss. “Soap strips this barrier and leaves your skin vulnerable,” Sally warns.

DO: Try a weekly body scrub. Then boost your winter dry skin with an intensive moisturiser.

TRY: Molton Brown Warm­ing Eucalyptus & Ginger Body Scrub, £28 (0808 178 1188); Vaseline Inten­sive Rescue Moisture Locking Cream, £3.99 (nationwide); Aveeno Moisturising Creamy Oil, £6.99 (Boots).

 

HIGH FIVES

Your hands are one of the first areas to suffer in the biting cold. Consultant dermatologist, Dr Susan Mayou says: “Exposed areas like your hands are prone to dryness. An effective moisturiser can prevent this.”

DON’T: Forget your SPF. There may be no sunshine but according to Dr Mayou, UV rays can still penetrate in the winter months.

DO: Spend a few minutes before bed massaging hand cream into your paws so they can recover overnight.

TRY: Dove Intensive Cream for Extra Dry Hands, £2.99 (0800 085 1548 or 59 Buch­anan Street); Dr Nick Lowe Double Duty SPF15 Hand Cream, £8.99 (Boots); Bliss High Intensity Hand Cream, £18 (www.blisslondon.co.uk).

 

TAMED TRESSES

Cold, damp weather can leave your hair frizzy and out of control. Aussie haircare expert Liz Taw says: “If hair lacks moisture and there’s moisture in the air, the hair cuticle will open up and not reflect light, leaving hair looking dull.”

DON’T: Neglect your weekly intensive treatments. “I would advise a regular treatment once or twice a week for extra protection,” Liz says.

DO: Treat thirsty hair with a good moisture-enriching shampoo and conditioner.

TRY: Aussie Miracle Moist Shampoo and Conditioner, £3.49 each; Ojon Restor­ative Leave-in Treatment, £29.50 (John Lewis); PhytoJoba Intense Hydra­­ting Mask £18.50 (John Lewis).

 

Tried and Tested...

By Marianne Halavage

KERATIN HAIR TREATMENT

Where has the Keratin Hair Treatment been all my life? I stepped into Craig Andrew’s salon with frizzy, limp, dull hair, and stepped out with locks fit for a TV advert. Three days on, after washing, it looks just as shiny and straight.

It is all thanks to a treatment containing keratin, a protein found in hair and skin. The Keratin Treatment, already popular in London – it’s also known as a Brazilian blow-dry – is the natural equivalent of a chemical straightener and is ideal for frizzy, curly and damaged hair.

My stylist, Craig Andrew, washed my hair with clarifying shampoo to remove any product residue and then applied the keratin complex. Then, after blasting it 80% dry, he straightened each section 10, yes 10, times with GHDs.

After three days of no washing or styling, I washed my hair with the shampoo and conditioner provided as part of the treatment. My mop, which usually takes 30 minutes to blow dry, only needed a five-minute blast.

Craig tells me the effects last around three months.

 

Just arrived...

Banish thermal vests and update your lingerie drawer with the new Carousel Collection from Miss Ultimo.

This cute lilac gingham balconette bra top, £18, which comes with matching briefs, £8, are key looks from the new retro-inspired range.

The range is available from Debenhams and www.missultimo.com in sizes 8-18 and cup sizes 32A to 38DD.