Winter can be tough on the skin due to the cold, dry air. Winter weather can have various effects on the skin due to the cold, dry air and changes in environmental conditions. Low humidity levels in winter lead to dry skin. Cold air lacks moisture and indoor heating systems further dehydrate the air, causing the skin to lose moisture and become dry, flaky, or itchy. Areas like the hands, lips, and cheeks, become chapped and cracked.
These areas are more prone to irritation and discomfort. Lack of moisture and exfoliation leads to a buildup of dead skin cells, causing the skin to look dull and lackluster. It's crucial to make changes and adjustments in your winter skincare routine, focusing on hydration, protection, and gentle care during the winter months.
Here are some tips to help maintain healthy and glowing skin during the winter months:
Hydrating serum: Use a richer hydrating serum to create a barrier on your skin and prevent moisture loss. Apply it immediately after showering or washing your face to lock in moisture.
Look for a serum with ingredients like-
Hyaluronic Acid: It's a powerful humectant that attracts and retains moisture in the skin, keeping it hydrated and plump.
Glycerin: Another effective humectant that draws moisture from the environment into the skin, helping to maintain hydration.
Ceramides: These are natural lipids found in the skin's barrier. They help prevent moisture loss and strengthen the skin's protective barrier, crucial in combating dryness.
Dimethicone or Silicone: These ingredients create a barrier on the skin, preventing trans epidermal water loss (TEWL) and locking in moisture.
Shea Butter: A rich emollient that deeply nourishes and moisturizes the skin, leaving it soft and supple.
Oils (like Jojoba, Argan, or Rosehip): These oils provide intense hydration and replenish the skin's natural oils, helping to restore and maintain moisture levels.
Lactic Acid or Urea: These gentle exfoliants help to remove dead skin cells, allowing better penetration of moisture and promoting a smoother skin texture.
Aloe Vera: Known for its soothing properties, aloe vera helps calm irritated or dry skin while providing hydration.
Squalane: An excellent lightweight moisturizer that mimics the skin's natural oils, keeping it hydrated without a greasy feel.
Protect Lips & Hands: Lips require additional attention in winter. The skin on the lips is thinner and hence gets affected by the cold dry air in the winds most. Using a lip balm with SPF will help shield your lips from the cold winters and provide the extra hydration and nourishment required. While buying lip balm look for ingredients like shea butter, argan oil or coconut oil as they help to keep your lips hydrated.
Hands are exposed to the cold air the most and as they are used more frequently, they tend to become rough and dry. Applying hand cream after washing can help prevent cracking and dryness. Wear protective hand gloves and try to protect the skin from winter dryness.
Sunscreen: UV rays can harm your skin in the winters. Apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen to exposed areas, especially if you're out as the winter sun is equally harmful for the skin as summer sun. Apply sunscreen daily or 15-20 minutes before you leave your home. Buy sunscreen with sun protection factor more than 30.
Gentle Cleansing: Avoid hot showers and harsh soaps that can strip your skin of its natural oils. Use lukewarm water to wash your face with a mild, moisturizing cleanser to avoid drying followed by a hydrating skincare routine.
Exfoliation: Cold dry air in winter can lead to dry flaky itchy skin, dry dead skin can build up on the skin's surface. Regular but gentle exfoliation helps remove dead skin cells, allowing better absorption and penetration of moisturizers into the skin. However, don't overdo it, as excessive exfoliation can irritate the skin and lead to redness or rashes. People with sensitive skin should to extra careful while exfoliating the skin as it can even worsen the skin's condition and cause irritation.
Humidify: Consider using a humidifier to add moisture to the air indoors. Humidifier will help increase moisture in the air. A humidifier in winter can help reduce allergy related symptoms, like a stuffy runny nose or itchy dry throat.
Protective Clothing: Wear protective gloves, scarves, and hats to protect your skin from cold winds and low temperatures, which can lead to chapping and irritation. Moisturizing the area first then using protective clothes will even help lock in moisture and provide deep hydration to the skin.
Balanced Diet: Consume foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids and antioxidants, like fish, nuts, and colorful fruits and vegetables. These nutrients can support healthy skin, hair and nails in winter. The regular Indian diet generally lacks in omega-3 fatty acids. Consider taking additional omega “3 supplements in winter as it can be beneficial to the overall skin as well as general health.
Stay Hydrated: In addition to moisturizing your skin externally, eating hydrating foods like cucumbers, watermelon, and oranges can help maintain skin moisture. Usually in winters the water intake gets reduced as we sweat less and there is limited water loss, we don't feel thirsty. But it is important to consume at least 2 to 2.5 liters of water daily to maintain proper hydration of the body.
Limit Hot Baths: Hot baths might be tempting in the winter, but they can dry off your skin. Opt for shorter, warm baths or showers to avoid stripping away natural oils. Use gentle, moisturizing cleansers that don't strip away natural oils from your skin. Look for soap-free and hydrating formulas. Long hot water baths stripes skin's natural oils making it dry and rough. Additionally, adding milk to your bath can help soften and hydrate the skin. The lactic acid in milk exfoliates dead skin cells while the fats moisturize. Pat your skin dry after a shower and immediately apply moisturizer to lock in moisture. Moisturizing the damp skin post shower helps lock in hydration which helps skin feel soft and nourished. This helps prevent dryness throughout the day.
Following these tips can help maintain healthy and glowing skin throughout the winter months, but it's important to adjust your skincare routine based on your skin's individual needs. If you have specific skin concerns or conditions exacerbated by winter weather, seek advice from a dermatologist. A simple skincare routine in winters will help meet the winter skin needs easily. When it comes to skincare, consistency is key. Sticking to the skincare routine will help see the best results. A consistent skincare routine helps maintain the health of your skin.
A basic winter skincare routine will include-
Cleanser: Start your day with a gentle cleanser suited to your skin type (cream or hydrating cleansers work well in winter). Cleanse to remove overnight buildup without stripping natural oils. For night skincare routine, if you wear makeup, start by removing it with a makeup remover or cleansing oil. Follow up with a gentle cleanser to thoroughly clean your face.
Toner (Optional): If you use toner, choose an alcohol-free, hydrating formula to balance pH levels and prep your skin for the next steps.
Serum: Apply a hydrating serum containing ingredients like hyaluronic acid or vitamin C to replenish moisture and protect against environmental damage. Use a targeted treatment or serum if you have specific skin concerns (like acne, hyperpigmentation, or aging). Apply it according to its instructions.
Moisturizer: Use a richer, oil-based moisturizer to lock in moisture. At night, apply a thicker, more nourishing night cream or moisturizer to deeply hydrate your skin while you sleep. This helps repair and rejuvenate your skin overnight.
Eye Cream: Apply eye cream to the delicate skin around your eyes. Look for ingredients like peptides or hyaluronic acid to hydrate and plump the area. This step can be limited to night.
Sunscreen: Apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher, especially if you're going outdoors. It protects the skin from harmful UVA and UVB rays. It is essential to protect the skin from aging and even skin cancer.
Weekly Treatments (as needed):
Face Mask: Treat your skin to a hydrating or soothing face mask once or twice a week to replenish moisture and address specific concerns. You can make masks with natural easily available ingredients. Make homemade masks using ingredients like mashed avocado, yogurt, or mashed banana. These natural ingredients provide hydration and nourishment to the skin. You can simply apply honey on your face. Honey is a natural humectant that retains moisture in the skin. Use it as a mask by applying a thin layer and rinsing it off after 15-20 minutes.
Lip Scrub and Balm: Use a lip scrub to exfoliate dry, chapped lips, followed by a nourishing lip balm to keep them hydrated.
Following a simple holistic approach in winters for healthy glowing skin can help reap the best of your skin these winters. Incorporating these winter skincare tips into your daily routine can transform your skin during the colder months. From nourishing hydration to protective measures against the harsh elements, each step contributes to a radiant and healthy complexion.
Remember, glowing skin in winter isn't just about external care; it's a blend of consistent hydration, gentle exfoliation, protection, and a holistic approach to overall wellness. Embrace these tips, customize them to your skin's needs, and revel in the beauty of a glowing, luminous complexion throughout the winter season and beyond.
LINK
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/search/research-news/8403/
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/winter-dry-skin-causes-treatment-and-more
https://www.usdermatologypartners.com/blog/winter-skin-care-keeping-skin-healthy-in-the-cold/#:~:text=Winter%20Skin%20Care%3A%20How%20the%20Cold%20Impacts%20Your%20Skin&text=The%20main%20cause%20for%20concern,feel%20scaly%20and%20look%20ashy
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