The winter sun is harsh and has the capacity to wreak complete havoc on your skin.
The dry air and bitter cold temperatures can strip your skin of its natural moisture making it look really dehydrated and dull. It is due to this reason why you need to take immediate steps to keep your skin hydrated, soft, and supple, instead of its parched, cracked, and chapped version which can be the norm during winters.
To make it easier for you, we will first discuss the different ways to heal dry skin during winters and then move onto its prevention.
Ways to Heal Dry Skin in Winter
Here are some tried and tested strategies that you can use to heal your dry skin—hassle-free yet effective.
Swap hot for warm and long for short
No matter how tempting indulging in an hour-long, hot water dip may sound, you must refrain from doing so.
Hot water is actually your enemy disguised as a friend during the winters. It can increase the evaporation process of your skin’s natural hydration, which is why you should also keep your bath time short to about 10 minutes or less. This will help prevent the water from stripping away the protective oils from your skin.
Another good tip would be to replace harsh soaps with a moisturizing body cleansing oil that has a rich oil content that can help protect the moisture barrier of our skin.
M-M-Moisturize – into three!
In your arsenal for fighting dry skin, a skin moisturizer specially formulated for winter care is the most important weapon. By investing in the right moisturizer, you can prevent any kind of flaky or dry skin issues while at the same time treating the damage that might have already taken place.
Again, you have to take into account your skin type because come summer or winter, using the wrong formula will make your skin rebel. If you have dry skin, try to get a moisturizer for dry skin. The same goes for people with oily skin and combination skin. In order to make sure that you are buying the correct formula, pay careful attention to the labels. You can also enlist the help of the sales executive too if you want.
Avoid the toner and exfoliate in moderation
While toner is most certainly an important part of any skincare routine, during the winters, if your skin tends to get drier, you can skip it. If you’re too addicted to that refreshing toner feeling, you can opt for a face mist that contains hydrating ingredients and is alcohol-free.
Winters can often make the skin feel dehydrated and raw, and using a harsh facial scrub will only aggravate and worsen the irritation. While we are not suggesting you to entirely skip exfoliation, just be a bit stringent. Limit using exfoliators to only once a week and pair it with a formula that is gentle and contains ingredients such as fruit acids, lactic acid, or jojoba beads.
Sugar and salt, glycolic acid, and similar ingredients are what you need to avoid during winters.
Ways to Prevent Dry Skin in Winter
Since prevention is always better than cure, read on as we discuss the different ways in which you can prevent dry skin during winters.
Make your diet more winter-friendly
Having a diet that is rich in fats such as olive oil, walnuts, and avocados can be great for improving dry skin issues. Make a point to drink lots of water to make up for any moisture loss that may take place during the season.
You should also limit your alcohol and caffeine consumption as they can have a dehydrating effect on the skin.
Prep your home accordingly
Since winters already come with dry and harsh air, you have to take measures to improve the airflow quality in your abode. The best way to do this is by investing in a humidifier that can regulate the humidity levels and reduce any dryness in your home by maximizing the amount of water in the air.
Having said this, you also need to be careful to keep the heat at either a low or moderate temperature to avoid any extra dryness.
Replace your lightweight moisturizers for a more thicker formula
Our skin needs change with the change in seasons. While during the summers you need something more light on your face to prevent excessive sweating, in the winters you require a more balmy formula with a thicker texture to help moisturize any flaking or dry skin.
Try to opt for moisturizers that contain petrolatum, silicone, lanolin, and lots of natural oils. You can also buy a serum formula that is rich in antioxidants and is alcohol-free to take care of your skin needs. Usually, these products contain vitamin C and SPF protection to prevent any damage caused by the sun and free radicals.
Create a nighttime routine
Having a skin care regime is important and winter is no exception. Try to create a routine that you can stick to every night before bed. Not only will this leave you with healthy skin the next day, but you will also be safe from any kind of skin issue during the entire season.
In addition to using a facial moisturizer and serum, don’t forget to use a gentle eye cream as well as a neck cream. The under-eye area and the neck require more nourishment as these areas do not produce natural oils, making them more prone to dryness.
Even during the day, SPF protection of at least 30 is an absolute must before you step out of the house. There is a common misconception as to which sunscreen can be avoided during the winters. Well, it is just that—a myth. It should be known that the winter sun is actually more damaging when compared to summers. So, make sure that sunscreen is always added to your purse before you leave the house.
Resources— Good Housekeeping, Vogue, Healthline
