In winter, everyone experiencing flaky skin, dryness, itchiness, skin irritations, allergies or breakouts due to the cold winds and low humidity in the air. Hot baths and warming up indoors with heaters can make matters worse and results in dryness, cracking and flaking, sometime even eczema. At this time skin needs proper care to banish winter woes. There are so many tips and options available to combat with winter dryness. From moisturizer, to exfoliating, scrubs, to cleanser, to face washes, what’s most important is how your skin responds to them. Every skin is different; the thing works for your skin may not do the same job for others. Always select products according to your skin type to address your skin needs that put your best skin forward, youthful and radiant through the winter.
- Whatever your skin type is, stick to one rule: lot of moisturizer all the time, as moisture is an important element for soft and radiant glow. They add a layer of moisture on top of the skin and prevent water from evaporating in the cold months.
- Cover yourself with the extra layer of clothes to keep the body warm. Do not expose the skin to the cold air directly, which can lead to loss of moisture and cause parched and dry skin.
- Slip on cotton or light clothes first to avoid irritation might cause by putting on wool/warm clothes.
- Slather on oil-based moisturizers, creams and lotions rather than water-based to lock in the hydration needed for your skin.
- Avoid hot baths because hot water break down the lipid barrier in the skin lead to redness and itchiness.
- Add a few drops of baby oil in the bath tub, which help to keep the skin soft and supple in the cold months.
- Doesn’t rub hard the skin after a shower or bath , just gently pat dry your skin with a soft towel.
- Apply moisturizer, lotions and oils while your skin is still damp which keep the skin moist, soft and helps to maintain the pH Balance.
- Prefer natural moisturizers like butters, oils, glycerin, honey and milk over chemical based moisturizers to treat the dryness in the winter.
- Do not apply makeup products on the skin that have high alcoholic substance.
- Make sure to exfoliate at least twice a week, this will clear the dead surface cells and helps to keep the skin soften and smooth through the winter.
- Avoid the use of harsh peels, masks, astringents, alcohol-based toners and cleanser, which can strip vital oil from the skin.
- Slather lotions and oils that contain humectants, glycerin or petroleum jelly on the driest part of the body like hands, elbows, feet, knees and heels to keep them soft and supple.
- Do not use heaters or furnaces too much to warm the rooms because cranking the furnace all time absorbs the humidity in the air and this lead to dryness and itchiness.
- Use lip balms and lip scrubs rich in Vitamin E to keep your lips soft through the winter.
- Don’t lick the lips in winter because licking makes them more dry and clapped.
- Clean your skin by using cleansing milk or fragrance-free mild foaming cleanser and to keep dryness and irritation away.
- Apply sunscreen of SPF 30 or more before stepping out the home because sun rays and snow glare can harm the skin badly.
- Use lukewarm water because hot water can strip of essential oils from skin and leads to skin irritation and dryness.
- Avoid clay-based mask or use them a little because they have a great tendency to draw moisture out of the skin.
- Add vitamin A, vitamin E, fatty acid and zinc rich fresh fruits, vegetables and salads to your diet to keep the hydration level high in the body.
- Keep your skin hydrated by drinking a healthy amount of water and fresh juices that can let your skin be the ‘super soft ‘ you always have.
- Don’t put on wet clothes, gloves and socks as they can cause irritation, itching, cracking, or even a flare-up of eczema.
- Use a fragrance free moisturizing soap/face wash to replenish your skin with moisture.
- Don’t over-wash or clean or spent too much time in water because it can lead to flaking by stripping of essential oils from the skin and lead to irritation and breakouts.
- Avoid the regular use of face wipes that contain high levels of alcohol and harsh chemicals, which can dry the skin and cause irritation and redness.
- Instead of heaters install humidifiers that help to maintain the indoor humidity level by dispersing the moisture to dried -out air which helps to relieve and prevents dry and scratchy skin.
- Apply mixture of glycerin, lemon juice and rose water (one tablespoon each ) before going to bed, which keep the moisture in the skin and helps to prevent skin from drying out.
- Be careful about using anti-inflammatory and itch-suppressing products to combat dry skin. Consult your dermatologist before continuing to use them.
