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With winter approaching, it is time for festivities, long holidays, and cozy evenings. But it also calls for extra care for your skin with an improved winter skincare routine. Cold, dry air and low humidity levels can be harsh on the skin, causing it to become dry, flaky, and irritated. This can lead to a loss of elasticity and an increase in the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. In the blog, we will provide you with tips to protect your skin from the cold with a good winter skincare routine.
Synopsis
Why Does Skin Need Extra Care During Winter?
The skin's moisture barrier is a vital protective layer. During the colder months, a lack of humidity in the air can make the skin's natural barrier more vulnerable. This causes skin moisture to escape easily, leading to a number of skin problems like dryness, dehydration, flaking, a tight sensation, and itchiness.
Cold weather can also cause the blood vessels in the skin to constrict, reducing blood flow and making the skin appear pale and dull. In addition, the skin may be more prone to irritation and sensitivity due to harsh weather and indoor heating. With a winter skincare routine and extra care, you can help your skin stay healthy and hydrated during the colder months.
Dry Skin Solutions That Work
Here are a few dry skin solutions for your winter skincare routine:
Using Moisturizing Cleansers
In people with dry skin, we ideally want cleansers that don’t strip the skin of its natural oils in winter, and we want to look for ‘milky’ and ‘creamy’ cleansers while staying clear of anything that says ‘oil control’. Also, it might help to use a cleanser only at night and avoid over-cleansing. Using a face mist or a hydrating serum containing hyaluronic acid or ceramides post-cleansing will help add an extra dose of moisture to the skin.
Stay Hydrated
Make sure to drink plenty of water throughout the day to keep your body hydrated and your skin looking soft, supple, and more even-toned. Additionally, hydration helps to protect your skin from environmental stressors, pollution, and sun damage.
Opt for a Nutritious Diet
A healthy diet not only helps in your body’s health but also complements your skin regimen. Eat a balanced and healthy diet that contains plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins to help nourish your skin from the inside out. Eating foods rich in vitamins and minerals, such as vitamins A, C, and E, can help to protect your skin from environmental damage and keep it healthy.
Winter Skin Saviors
Use of a Humidifier
The weather tends to be drier in winter in general, and heaters tend to worsen this further. This can micro-damage the skin barrier and cause inflammation, making your skin feel rough and irritated. A humidifier for skin can be a game-changer in your winter skincare routine as it improves the overall moisture level in your environment.
Sunscreen in Winter: Still A Daily Essential
Sunscreen acts as a shield to your skin. Just because it’s winter doesn’t mean you should forget about sunscreen. UV rays can still damage your skin, even in the winter. Make sure you apply sunscreen with at least 15 SPF in winter when stepping outside the home.
Showering Habits That Protect Your Skin
We all love our long hot water showers in winter. However, a quick 5-minute-long shower with lukewarm water is enough if you have dry, itchy skin on your body. For eczema-prone skin and in old age, it might be a good practice to skip using soap every day and also to completely switch to syndet bars instead of regular soaps, especially during winter. Also, avoid wearing woollen clothes directly on your skin, and try to layer cotton clothes underneath, as wool can irritate the skin.
To know more, visit our best skin care hospital in Whitefield, Bangalore.
Lip Care Tips to Avoid Chapping
Lip care is an important part of your winter skincare routine. As part of your regular lip care in winter, consider gentle exfoliation of the lips with mild chemical exfoliants (and not physical scrubs). This can be followed by thick layer moisturizers, about 2-3 times a week, which can make your lips feel soft and supple instead of dry and chapped. It is also helpful to use oil-rich moisturizers, which melt into your mucosa instead of something like petroleum jelly that mostly works as an occlusive.
For an effective and gentle exfoliation, you can create a simple DIY natural lip scrub at home. Mix a small amount of honey or coconut oil with a pinch of sugar. Gently massage this natural mixture onto your lips in a circular motion to remove dead skin. This is a great way to prepare your lips for a thick layer of moisturizer and is a perfect routine for lip care in winter, helping you avoid chapping and maintain soft, healthy lips.
Following these tips can help keep your skin healthy, radiant, and hydrated during the winter months.
Conclusion
Winter demands extra skin care. Remember to be consistent with your winter skincare routine and remove your makeup before going to bed. If your skincare doesn’t improve your skin, then it’s time to go see the best dermatologist in Whitefield, Bangalore, to help better understand your skin type, learn how to take care of your skin, and select skincare products that are suitable for you.
FAQ's
It’s normal for your skin's natural barrier to weaken as we have low humidity and cold, dry air during winter that drains moisture from our skin. Indoor heating also plays a part in drying out the air.
Exfoliating once or twice a week is ideal. It helps remove dead skin cells without dehydrating the skin. Excessive exfoliation can weaken the protective layer of your skin, aggravating dryness.
Yes, even on overcast days, harmful UV rays are present throughout the year, making SPF essential even during the winter. UV radiation can lead to skin damage, early aging, and put you at an increased risk of skin cancer.
To get rid of flakes, use a mild lip scrub once a week instead of licking your lips. Apply a thick, emollient lip balm with ceramides or shea butter as a follow-up.
The ideal time to use a moisturizer is right after taking a shower or washing your face. While your skin is still wet, this helps to retain moisture.
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