Winter climatic conditions can be harmful to the skin. Human skin can be classified into Normal skin, Dry skin, Combination skin, Sensitive skin, and Oily skin. Here, we will discuss winter skin care routine.
In winter, when the temperature drops, skin loses moisture and tends to become dry. The temperature difference between the cold outdoors and the warm indoors causes evaporation of the natural moisture of the skin, which may cause patches of oily and dry skin. Human skin reacts differently during the winters. Many people experience their skin becoming extra sensitive, dry and peeling off.
Also Read:- Fed Up Of Dark Spots: Follow This Simple Skin Care Routine for Best Results
Cold weather, dry wind and sharp sunlight, make winter one of the toughest season for the skin. Hence, the normal skincare routine is not enough. Enhance your routine with these tips for glowing and healthy skin during winter.
The Most Common Winter Skin Problems
Cold, dry or humid climate can affect the human skin, causing acne breakouts, itchy dry patches and various skin conditions. Extremes in weather can worsen some existing skin conditions or cause new ones.
With the onset of winter, skin feels extreme dryness of the face, hands, and feet. The problem may worsen when dry skin results in flaking, cracking, eczema, inflammation, psoriasis, winter rash, patchy skin, dehydrated skin, chapped skin, Keratitis Polaris breakout, chapped lips, red nose, dry cuticles, overproduction of sebum and winter itch. These skin conditions can be aggravated in the winter. Cold temperatures and low humidity dries out our skin. Throughout the winter, many people experience rough skin, skin redness, tightened skin, cracked skin or peeling of skin because of dryness.
How To Take Care Of Skin?
In winter, you need to adjust your skincare routines. If you have combination to oily skin, it may happen that richer, emollient moisturizers aggregate your oily areas. To prevent winter’s impact, one doesn’t have to clog pores or make skin feel greasy.
- Hot water baths relaxes the body, but in winters they strip the skin off of natural and essential oils. Use lukewarm water or take moderate cold water shower to lock the moisture and close the pores.
- Keep shower time short.
- Use humidifiers so the air is infused with moisture. This will prevent the skin from drying out. Regulate humidity indoors. Enhance moisture levels with a humidifier and maintain the ideal humidity level within 35-50%.
- Don’t rub the skin. Instead, pat dry. Rubbing will worsen dryness and damage the skin.
- Avoid using harsh soaps. Switch to moisture-rich soaps which are gentle for the skin. Use mild face wash to cleanse the skin.
- Use Moisturizer after bathe when the skin is moist so that the dampness is absorbed by the skin and it stays moisturized for long. Oily skin requires less moisturizers while dry skin needs heavy moisturizers.
- Opt for the appropriate and comfortable fabric. Stay comfortable by avoiding irritants. Use breathable and skin-friendly fabric.
- Boost your immunity. Bacterial, fungal and viral infections may take a toll in winter. These can be controlled by staying healthy. To evade off winter skin problems, maintain good hygiene, get enough sleep, eat healthy and exercise.
- Stay free from stress. If you’re experiencing emotional stress, try to relax. Exercise, yoga, and meditation are some of the ways to beat stress.
- Drink lot of water. Drink concoction of honey, lemon, and ginger. It helps a lot.
- Collagen helps the skin to remain firm and smooth. Hence, include collagen-rich foods such as tomatoes, red peppers, spinach, salmon, carrots, strawberries in your diet during winter.
- If your facial skin is dry, avoid using harsh peels off masks, and alcohol-based toners or astringents. These products can strip essential oil from the skin. Use cleansing milk or mild foaming cleanser, a toner with no alcohol, and deeply hydrating masks.
- Moisturize your skin thrice in a day. For dry skin, choose an oil-based moisturizer over water-based. The the oil will form a protective layer on the skin that retains extra moisture.
- Apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen to face, neck, back, feet and hands about 15 minutes prior to going outside. Reapply if you stay outside for a longer time.
