Winter Skincare Tips for Healthy and Hydrated Skin

The changing seasons can disrupt the skin barrier and affect it in many ways. Winter, especially, makes the skin dry, flaky and itchy. The cold climate removes the moisture from the skin cells and can result in aggravating existing conditions.

Let’s find out some useful skincare tips to keep your skin healthy and hydrated in winter from the best skin specialist in Delhi.

Common Winter Skin Concerns

The lack of moisture for the skin can cause the following to flare up and trouble you. Thus, skin hydration is one of the significant aspects of keeping your skin healthy during winters. Some of the common skin concerns in winter are as follows:

• Asteatosis or Dry Eczema: It causes excessive dryness, red patches, and itchiness on the skin and can be a result of underlying skin issues or environmental changes
• Keratosis Pilaris: It is also called chicken skin and causes dry and rough patches with tiny bumps on the arms, legs, or bottom.
• Psoriasis: It causes scaly and itchy patches on different parts of the body and is a long-term skin disease that flares and subsides over time.

If you have any of these skin conditions, you will need a tailored skincare routine to prevent additional concerns. Don’t wait until the situation worsens. Consult a dermatologist before winter begins.

Tips for Healthy Skin in the Winter Season

Scales, itchiness, redness, roughness, dry patches, irritation, cracks, stings, and cuts are some signs of dry skin and a clear indication that you should invest in a skincare routine to protect it from harsh winter weather.

Follow these tips for dry skin in winter and see a difference in your skin health.

• Moisturize After Bath

Do not skip moisturising your skin after a bath. Wipe your body with a soft towel and apply a moisturizer all over. This allows the skin cells to absorb the oils and prevents dryness. In fact, you should also apply the moisturizer to your hands every time after you wash them with soap. Carry a small bottle/tube with you at all times. Moreover, if you are excessive dry skin, use a moisturizer specially made for dry skin.

• Apply Sunscreen

Just because it is winter doesn’t mean you can stop using sunscreen. Even with less sunlight, the UV rays are strong and can damage the skin without a protection barrier. Use sunscreen with at least SPF 30 and apply it as the topmost layer (over the moisturizer) before going out. Carry a tube with you if you have to spend the day in the open. Sunscreen prevents the skin from losing its hydration to sunlight.

• Use a Gentle Cleanser

Winter strips the natural oils from the skin and makes it lifeless. Switch to a milder and gentler cleaner that doesn’t further damage the skin. Choose a cleanser based on your skin type but with nourishing ingredients so that it refreshes the skin after a wash. Don’t lather too much or let the product sit on the skin for long.

• Apply Ceramides-Infused Products

Ceramides are lipid molecules naturally produced by our bodies. They help in maintaining the skin barrier and prevent the loss of moisture. Using skincare products with ceramides will enable your skin and strengthen the barriers. These also improve the youthfulness of the skin and can make you look younger.

• Exfoliate Once a Week

Exfoliation removes dead skin cells and clears clogged pores. Typically, it is recommended to exfoliate once a week or so. This is because, excess exfoliation can strip the skin of its natural oils and result in dryness. Use a soft scrub (preferably cream-based) to exfoliate your skin once a week. Apply a moisturiser immediately after the wash.

• Overnight Creams and Lotions

The best way to rejuvenate the skin is to layer it with moisturizers overnight. The ingredients help repair the skin barrier, hydrate the cells, and soothe the skin. This makes you wake up with softer and healthier skin. A moisturizer also prevents pillow covers and blankets from absorbing natural oils. Apply a moisturizer to the face, hands, and feet. You can cover the hands and feet with gloves and socks if required.

• Place a Humidifier in the Room

Use a humidifier to ensure the room is not too dry, as it can affect your skin. A humidifier adds some moisture into the room’s atmosphere, thus preventing the dry air from damaging the skin barrier.

• Bathe with Warm Water

The cold winter weather makes us want to sink into a tub of steaming hot water or stand under a hot shower for a long time. However, this can harm the skin by further removing the natural oils and disrupting the barrier. Use warm water for bathing and don’t spend more than fifteen minutes under the shower.

• Wear Gloves, Socks, and Scarves

Cover the exposed parts of the body with gloves, socks, and scarves to prevent the chilly and dry winter air from affecting the skin. The cold air causes dryness and may even result in itchiness, rough patches, and cracks when the skin is exposed for long durations.

• Use Lip Balm with SPF

We should not forget our lips when talking about winter skincare. The skin on the lips is delicate and easily prone to cracks and cuts. Always carry a lip balm with SPF protection and apply it multiple times a day. Try to use lip balms made with eco-friendly products and natural pigments if you want them in color.

• Consume Less Alcohol

Winter is also the season of holidays and celebrations. This can lead to excessive food intake or alcohol consumption. Both these affect the skin as well as your overall health. Limit alcohol. Eat nutritious food with protein, essential vitamins, and minerals. Drink more water and hydrate your skin from the inside.

Finally, limit the use of skin care products with irritating active ingredients like vitamin C or retinol without a dermatologist’s recommendation. Don’t try new products or experiments on your skin with active ingredients during winter, as the side effects can be more intense.

Consult the senior dermatologist at Mehektagul Dermaclinic for a personalized skincare plan and enjoy soft and healthy skin throughout the year!