How to Care for Dry Skin in Winter: Simple Tips That Work
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Do you notice how your skin responds to different seasons? If yes, then you must have noticed that your skin tends to become flakier and drier during colder months.
Cold air, with low humidity levels, can create havoc on our skin, making it flaky and dry. In addition to dry air outdoors, centralized indoor heating also depletes skin of moisture. The result? You get winter itch!
Thankfully, with a few simple preventative tips, you can care for dry skin in winter. There are simple steps you can undertake to keep your skin looking healthy, even when there is no escape from winter’s dry air.
Understanding the Causes of Dry Skin in Winter
Dry heat indoor, cold air, harsh wind, and low humidity levels - all of these factors contribute to dry skin in winter. All these factors take away your skin’s natural moisture, leaving your skin looking less radiant than normal.
The primary cause of dry skin in winter is as simple as it sounds - cold air holds less moisture. When the surrounding air is drier, your skin becomes drier as well.
Essential Winter Skincare Routine for Dry Skin
Step 1: Choose the Right Moisturiser
As the winter season sets in, it calls for the use of heavier, more nourishing moisturisers to deal with dryness and harsh weather conditions. While choosing a winter-specific moisturiser, you should choose a formula containing ingredients like glycerine or ceramides that help restore the skin barrier.
Moreover, additional ingredients like hyaluronic acid lock in moisture and impart hydration. These ingredients in a moisturiser, like that of Dermalogica Intensive Balance Moisturiser, can work together to leave your skin smooth and well-hydrated.
Step 2: Gentle Cleansing
Cleansing is an integral part of your winter-time skincare routine. Harsh products can remove essential oils from your skin. Therefore, you should choose a gentler, smoother cleanser, like Dermalogica Skin Resurfacing Cleanser, to clean your skin without over-drying. At the same time, during colder months, avoid washing your face with hot water. It only tends to worsen your conditions of irritation and dryness.
Step 3: Hydration
Skin hydration during colder months is much more than the products you apply to your skin. It is also about what you eat and drink during the day. During the winter season, it is advised to drink lots of water to keep your skin hydrated and healthy from within. You can also consider placing an indoor humidifier in your home to ensure the creation of a humid environment for your skin.
Winter Skincare for Dry Skin: Do’s and Don’ts
Do’s for Dry Skin in Winter
- Apply Sunscreen Daily
During winters, as it is cold and cloudy outdoors, this does not imply that you can go away with your daily routine of applying sunscreen on the skin. Even in cold, cloudy conditions, your skin is exposed to potential UV damage. Therefore, a premium sunscreen, like Lakme 9 to 5 Naturale Day Creme, is essential even during winter to protect your skin from the harmful sun’s rays.
- Exfoliate Gently
During winters, dead skin can accumulate over dry skin. Therefore, your skin appears dull and dehydrated. You can use a gentle exfoliator, like Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant Exfoliator, at least once a week to remove dead skin and moisturise your skin properly.
Don’ts for Dry Skin in Winter
- Avoid Long Hot Showers
It is highly tempting to remain in a hot, comforting shower during the winter season. However, hot water can strip away the essential oils of your skin, leaving it drier and flakier. Consider bathing with lukewarm water to retain the skin’s moisture.
- Don’t Forget Applying Moisturiser After a Shower
During the cold, dry season, washing your face or hands too often can make them drier. Therefore, you should always apply a moisturiser right after cleaning your face or hands to lock in moisture.
Glowing Skin Tips for Winter
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Natural Oils
During winter, natural oils are the ultimate savior for your dry skin. Natural oils like argan, coconut, and jojoba oil can seal in moisture to keep your skin soft and hydrated throughout. You can apply a few drops of these natural oils in your moisturiser cream to achieve an extra level of hydration.
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Diet Tips
During any season, the food you consume gets reflected in your skin health. During the winter season, you should aim to include essential nutrients, including omega-3 fatty acids to keep your skin supple. Moreover, you should include vitamin-E-rich food options, including sunflower seeds and almonds, to ensure a natural glow to your skin. It is also important to be well-hydrated during the colder months.
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Facial Masks
You can consider using hydrating masks to re-energise dry, dull skin. You can try out some homemade masks with winter-friendly ingredients like honey and avocado to achieve a natural glow.
Remedies for Dry Skin Care
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Face Masks and Scrubs
It is time to treat your skin with some DIY care! You can prepare a simple winter-friendly face mask with yoghurt and honey to soothe dryness and lock in moisture. For gentle exfoliation, you can choose premium scrubs from Lakme Salon, like Dermalogica Multivitamin Thermafoliant Face Scrub, to remove dead skin cells without irritation.
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Overnight Hydration Treatments
Conclusion
Dry winter skin doesn't have to be inevitable. By implementing these simple tips – from choosing the right face cleansers to embracing the power of humidifiers – you can reclaim your skin's softness and radiance. Don't let the winter weather steal your skin's glow; take control and enjoy comfortable, healthy skin all season long.
FAQs
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Can I use my regular skin care products in winter?
It is recommended to switch to a thicker, more hydrating skincare formula to effectively care for dry skin in winter.
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How often should I moisturize my skin during winter?
It is recommended to moisturise your skin at least twice daily during winter, once in the morning and once at night. If you feel your skin is dry in the meantime, you can apply a moisturiser even then.
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Which moisturiser is best for dry skin in winter?
Moisturisers featuring winter-friendly ingredients like glycerine, ceramides, and hyaluronic acid are the best for winter-time skincare.
