What your skin needs to brave the elements

Brickies, chippies, labourers and lumberers, we salute you. Braving the elements with stoic resolve, you build the foundations of our homes, pave our roads and literally grow the food we eat. But while you’re out there toiling in rain and shine, don’t forget to look after yourself and give your body a boost with some much needed nourishment - weathered and rugged may be sexy on some men, but weather-beaten and rough definitely aren’t, so looking after your skin is important, and so is making sure you have the right tools for the job.

There are literally hundreds of skin care productson the market, from simple hand creams to ethically produced natural skin care products, so how do you choose the right one? Which ones work, and what should you look out for?

First of all, you need to consider that exposing your skin to the elements on a daily basis can leave you vulnerable to different factors, and to combat these, you need to know what they are.

Sun and windburn affect anyone who’s spending time in prolonged or extreme weather conditions, so investing in decent body moisturiser should be your first port of call, especially if your arms and legs are exposed. Moisturiser acts as a shield and prevents your skin from becoming dry or burned.

Your face will always be the most exposed part of your body. Try using a balancing face protector to keep your skin hydrated and protected. Look for products containing maca root, a natural ‘super herb’ maca root helps to re-mineralise and protect poorly nourished skin.

Using a hand cream is a really good idea for anyone who uses their hands a lot at work. A good hand cream will help to protect your skin from the effects of extreme heat, cold and damp, and roughness caused by handling rough surfaces. The manicurists' favourite, almond oil, is particularly good for reviving dry skin and nails so look for products which contain almonds for extra soft skin.

Anyone who’s on their feet all day will know just how much stress and strain they take. Thank them with a moisturising treatment. You don’t have to go the whole hog with mini foot spas and pedicures, a simple foot cream will do the trick. Peppermint is particularly effective and also cools the skin.