How To Take Care of Skin In Winter?( Do's & Don'ts)

Come winter and the first change you start noticing is your skin. Dry, rough and itchy skin accompanies this season as a special guest. Wonder why?

Your skin keeps itself hydrated by attracting moisture from the environment. When humidity levels decrease, your skin gets dehydrated and feels dry.

Here are some dos and don’ts to maintain hydrated and soft skin this winter.

The Dos Of Winter Skincare

1. Get A Mild Cleanser

You may have to change your cleanser during the winter months, if it is making your face feel dry and tight after a wash. You require a milder, more moisturizing and weakly acidic cleanser that won’t dry out your skin, besides balances your skin’s pH levels.

Note: You can determine the pH levels of a product using pH strips. If your cleanser produces too much foam, chances are its pH levels are high.

2. Change Your Moisturizer To A Heavier One

The products you use during the sultry summer months may not work for your skin during the winter season. If you generally use a lotion or gel, shift to a heavy, cream-based moisturizer. This will prevent skin irritation and soothe your skin.

Note: Change your moisturizer only if you notice a change in your skin type. If you feel that your skin type has been consistent and still feels greasy, you may want to continue using a lighter moisturizer.

3. Eat Healthy Food

It is important to maintain a healthy diet to maintain water content and boost sebum production in the body. Consuming foods rich in Vitamin E, A and C can maintain good skin health.

Some winter fruits rich in Vitamins and antioxidants:

• Gooseberry
• Papaya
• Avocado
• Pineapple
• Banana

4. Purchase A Humidifier

Use a humidifier to add moisture to closed spaces. This will help your skin retain moisture naturally.

5. Exfoliate Properly

Exfoliate two to three times a week. Doing this gently in circular motions will help increase blood flow to your skin. This will make it appear bright and healthy. Don’t scrub too much. Scrubbing too hard can break your skin’s protective barrier.

Note: If you have acne-prone skin, avoid exfoliating or scrubbing too often.

6. Wear Loose Clothes

Dry skin in winter can be further irritated if you wear tight clothes. Wear loose clothes to avoid feeling uncomfortable.

The Don’ts of Winter Skincare

1. Don’t Over-Wash Your Face

Although it sounds contradictory, washing your face too often can further dehydrate your skin. Don’t cleanse more than twice a day.

2. Don’t Bathe In Hot Water For Too Long

As tempting as it may sound, bathing in the hot shower for too long can remove essential oils from your skin. Most doctors advise keeping the temperature below 110 degrees. If your skin turns red while you bathe, it is recommended to bring the temperature down.

3. Avoid Allergens

Products with irritants or harsh chemicals trigger flare-ups. Avoid using products with harsh soaps, sulfates and parabens in them.

What Skin Issues Can I Have In Winter If I Don’t Take Proper Care?

• Rash
• Dermatitis
• Psoriasis

Why Does My Skin Get Dry During Winter?

Your skin has a natural tendency to attract moisture from the environment and keep itself hydrated. Winter months are responsible for low humidity levels, which fails to maintain skin health and makes it dry.

We also tend to overuse harsh soaps and hot water that can result in the eradication of our skin’s protective barrier. Certain oils are essential to prevent water loss in the skin. When the skin barrier breaks, our skin loses its essential oils and moisture.

What To Look For In A Moisturizer During The Dry Winter Months?

1. Heavy Base

A heavy, cream-based moisturizer is recommended if your skin is getting dry. This will avoid irritation. Get yourself a moisturizer with antioxidants and heavy emollients to help relieve dry skin better.

Note: If you have acne-prone skin, look for non-comedogenic products and if your skin feels greasy, stick to using a light moisturizer.

2. SPF

We tend to look out for the sun during the cold winter season to warm ourselves. However, even though you may not feel it, the sun can cause damage to your skin. A moisturizer with SPF is advised to be used even during winters.

3. Ceramides

Ceramides protect your skin from losing moisture. They form a protective layer on the surface of your skin, thus preventing environmental aggressors from penetrating through it.

4. Antioxidants

Antioxidants soothe your skin and prevent early skin aging

Begin By Knowing Your Skin