5 Skin Care Tips for Winters

The cold winter weather can damage our skin more than what is visible to the naked eye. Cold air, dry indoor heat, low humidity levels, and harsh winter wind can all zap your skin with moisture. This can leave your skin looking a lot less radiant than normal, not only your face, but also your hands, feet, and other areas exposed to the elements. Therefore, it is essential to take care of our skin, especially in the winter season. Fortunately, there are a lot of inexpensive and convenient ways for us to do so!

Our focus should be on locking in the moisture that is present in our bodies from escaping. Our skin can lose water due to dryness due to over-scrubbing, sun damage, any underlying medical condition or by winter's low humidity and the drying effects of indoor heat. The result is roughness, flaking, itching, cracking, and sometimes a burning sensation. This is where moisturizers step into the picture. They help in rehydrating the epidermal layer of the skin and seal in moisture. The greasier or thicker the moisturizer is, the more effective it will be.

Things to do

1. Moisturizing the skin right after showers: Every time we wash, we rob our skin of the natural oils it possesses. Since these oils help to lock in moisture, it’s vital to replace them. That’s why it’s important to use a moisturizer any time you wash your skin, especially in winter. Some effective moisturizers are Nivea soft moisturizing creme, CeraVe daily moisturising lotion and Vaseline intensive deep car we lotion etc. 

2. Using sunscreen on an everyday basis: it sounds like a useless idea to use sunscreen in winter on the assumption that winter means less ‘sun’ in the sky. However, this is false. Even in winter, harmful UV light can still stress your skin’s moisture barrier, which is vital for maintaining skin health and hydration. 

3. Using oils in the nighttime routine: Coconut oil works like any other moisturizer and traps water in the skin creating a hydrating effect. However, if you have oily skin that is prone to acne and breakouts, I would recommend you use a dermatologically suggested alternative. Baby oil is a great moisturizer. It does not clog the pores present in the skin because the mineral oil present in it has a large molecular size. So those with normal to dry skin can use baby oil. 

4. Showering from lukewarm water: as tempting as a hot bath sounds in the cold winter months,  According to the Baylor College of Medicine, hot water can strip away your skin’s natural oils faster than lukewarm water (which is typically around 98.6°F/37°C), and possibly even cause damage. 

also, instead of vigorously rubbing the skin post-shower. One should gently pat it dry, this might help some of the moisture to lock into the top layer of the skin. 

5. Nothing beats drinking water! 

It is very important to drink plenty of fluids and ensure that your body is hydrated not just from the outside but from within. Not taking in enough fluids can affect the appearance of your skin and also make it more susceptible to drying out. Additionally, people should eat a diet rich in antioxidants and omega-3 fatty acids, these help in protecting your cells from environmental damage and help your body make healthy cells, including skin cells.

Endnote

Following a consistent routine is the most important aspect of any skincare journey. Making sure the skin receives proper nourishment from within as well as moisturisation against the cold weather outside is important. 

Written By: Vishakha Baisoya