Did you get a throwback notification on your phone reminding you of what you did last winter? Sitting by the fireside and toasting some marshmallows with your family is such a great feeling. But wait? Winters can also mean dry and irritated skin, which can take away all your happiness. The cold and chilly winds can create havoc on your skin and leave you scratching like a flea-infested animal.
What if we tell you that this winter is going to be different? Yes! This article has put together some effective Skin care tips for winter to help you deal with extreme weather changes.
Top 10 Skin Care Tips In Winter
Follow these 10 tips to stay free from dryness and flaky skin all through the winter:
1. Invest In A Rich Moisturizer:
Your regular water-based moisturizer can underperform during winter. So, it’s time to replace that with a heavy, oil-based moisturizing lotion that can seal the moisture content in your skin for long hours. Choose products that contain ingredients like cocoa butter, shea butter etc. which have rich emollient properties. Apply the lotion all over your body immediately after showering for the best results.
Read More: Best Moisturizers for Sensitive Skin
2. Use a Humidifier In Your Room:
Winter winds are quite dry and lack humidity. They can strip out the natural moisture from your skin and leave it feeling stretchy. This is where a humidifier can help you! This device can increase the humidity or moisture levels in the air, reducing due the appearance of dry and cracked skin. Cool humidifiers are more ideal for people with dry skin problems like Eczema than warm humidifiers.
3. Avoid Taking Baths in Hot Water:
Many people make the grave mistake of taking a bath in very hot water to tackle the cold weather. This practice can strip away the natural oils and moisture content from the skin. It can lead to redness, scaling, skin peeling etc. The ideal temperature of your bathing water must be around 112 F or around 44o C.
4. Stay Hydrated:
Just like other cells in the body, our skin cells are mostly made of water. Lack of enough water in the body can cause dehydration in these cells and give them a dry, flaky appearance. So, you must drink at least 8-10 glasses or more per day in Winter to maintain sufficient water levels in the body.
5. Say No to Harsh Soaps:
Most synthetic bathing soaps available in the market are laden with harsh chemicals that strip out your skin’s natural oils and moisture. Avoid using products that contain sulphates, parabens, added fragrances, alcohol and synthetic dyes, which can worsen your dry skin problems. Instead, choose mild, soap-free cleansers that contain glycerine, plant oils, hyaluronic acid etc., which are gentle on your skin. Also, apply makeup minimally and remove it before hitting the bed.
Read More: Benefits of Drinking Water
6. Apply Chapstick or Lip Balm:
Lips are the most delicate areas of your skin and also the most ignored! Instead of using the same facial moisturizer for your lips, try using chapstick or a lip balm. Go for natural, organic products made with beeswax, shea butter etc. which have no toxic effects even if it accidentally enters your mouth. Reapply the balm every 2-3 hours to keep your lips soft and supple.
7. Don’t Forget To Use Sunscreen:
If you thought you could skip sunscreen on cold, less sunny days, you are wrong! Research shows that the UV radiation from the Winter sun can be as high as any other day of the year. So, it is essential to wear broad-spectrum sunscreen to protect your skin from photoaging, melasma and even Cancers.
8. Eat a Healthy, Balanced Diet:
The saying, “You are what you eat” cannot be any truer! What you eat can affect the quality and appearance of your skin. So, say no to junk foods and instead indulge in a healthy, balanced diet. Eat plenty of Avocado, sweet potatoes, Salmon, Nuts, Leafy greens, Tomatoes etc., that are rich in vitamins, minerals and healthy fats which offer nourishment to your skin.
9. Exfoliate Once A Week:
Your skin can look dry, cracked and visibly flaky in winter. The white scales are dead cells that accumulate on your skin’s surface layers. Clearing them once a week is essential to maintain healthy-looking skin. You don’t have to invest in an expensive scrub for that! Rummage your kitchen and whip up a homemade scrub with ingredients like Besan, rice flour, oatmeal etc., to slough away the unwanted particles without damaging your skin.
Read More: Best Sunscreen Lotions
10. Wear Protective Gear:
Lastly, keep your skin covered from the harsh winter winds. Wear warm, woollen clothing made of breathable material to remove sweat and excess moisture from the body. If you prefer wearing woollen sweaters, wear an extra layer of cotton clothing to prevent the fabric from irritating your skin.
Overview:
We hope you find these 10 Skin care tips for winter useful! If you don’t experience relief even after following them, please consult a dermatologist to determine if there is any other problem. In such cases, you might need unique doctor-prescribed skin care products prescribed by the doctor that also come with certain medications to heal and repair extreme dryness.
