Winter Skin Care Routine - Tips for Healthy and Hydrated Skin

Love winter but hate the arid air damaging your skin?
Fear the skin dryness that comes along with the winter and looking for winter skincare tips?
Already facing skin problems due to winter and need an effective solution? 

Winter asks for an essential skincare routine

Winter air is dry and the humidity level drops drastically. This dry, cold air causes the upper layers of your skin to lose moisture. The dry skin is more prone to itch, inflame, and develop a rash. Hence, winter can make your skin trouble in many ways. People having sensitive skin or eczema are more prone to develop skin issues in winter and require extra care for the skin.   

Skincare routine in winter

It is essential to take care of your skin in winter be it at home or outside. To help you keep skin woes at bay, we have compiled the five most useful dos and don’ts for winter skincare. Follow this super easy set of skincare tips and enjoy the best of your skin this winter.

• Do: Moisturize more

Moisturizers rehydrate the skin layers and seal in the moisture. This is the first step in combating dry skin. In general, the thicker and greasier a moisturizer, the more effective it will be. The best time to apply a moisturizer is immediately after bathing when your skin is still damp.

• Don’t: Ignore the product label

It is good to know what is in the products you put on your skin. Check the labels of every skincare product and ensure they don’t contain any harsh or stripping ingredients such as alcohol or sulfates. Look for nourishing and hydrating ingredients such as ceramides glycerin, sorbitol, hyaluronic acid, and lecithin, silicone, lanolin, and mineral oil. Emollients, such as linoleic, linolenic, and lauric acids, are also good as they help smooth skin by filling in the spaces between skin cells.

• Do: Customize your skincare

If you have oily skin, skip oil-based, greasy preparations, and opt for sunscreen. People with dry and normal skin can choose out of petroleum jelly and moisturizing oils (such as mineral oil), which prevent water loss without clogging pores.

• Don’t: Skimp on an active lifestyle

As inviting as a cozy blanket is in winter, you should still motivate yourself to keep moving and sit less. Keeping physically active is extremely beneficial to our skin. It improves blood flow and helps your damaged skin cells repair themselves, leaving a rejuvenated blush. Go for a light jog or a simple walk, or stick to the comfort of your home and indulge in a yoga session.

• Do: Seek expert care for prolonged and problematic symptoms

While it is common to have dry skin in winter, your skin issues might also be caused due to an underlying health condition. If you think natural remedies and the usual skincare routine aren’t helping, consult a dermatologist. For severe dry skin, your clinician may prescribe a cream containing lactic acid, urea, or corticosteroids. You may also be advised to take some tests to rule out medical conditions that can cause dry skin, including thyroid conditions, diabetes, psoriasis, and atopic dermatitis. You can now book a thyroid profile or diabetes test at the comfort of your home.

• Don’t: Skip hydration

You can easily slack off on your water intake during winter. Keep a water bottle near you throughout the day so you aren’t skipping on drinking enough water. Indulge in more herbal tea including green tea and chamomile for a warm winter drink that benefits the skin.

• Do: Wear your sunscreen

Think sunscreen is just for summertime? Absolutely not! Winter sun can still damage your skin. Apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen to your face and your hands about 30 minutes before going outside. Reapply frequently if you have to stay outside a long time. Sun protection is equally important in winter.

• Don’t: Take a long, hot shower

Indulging in the hot shower for too long can be detrimental to your skin. It can compromise the lipid layer of your skin, can actually be drying out your skin, and cause irritation and water loss. Try to use lukewarm water and don’t stay under the water any longer than necessary.

• Do: Ditch irritating clothing

Keeping yourself well-covered is important, but be gentle with your skin while opting for winter clothing. Wear cotton or silk under wool or other rough materials if your skin is sensitive to woolens. Use gentle laundry detergent labeled "hypoallergenic."

• Don’t: Wear wet gloves or socks

The skin on your hands is thinner than on most parts of the body and has fewer oil glands. Hence, it is harder to keep your hands moist, especially in dry winter. This can lead to itchiness and cracking. Wear gloves when you go outside, but make sure to avoid wet gloves and socks. These can irritate your skin and cause itching, cracking, sores, or even a flare-up of skin conditions like eczema.

Hope you find these skin care tips for winter pretty useful. Remember, you need to take care of your overall health so that the healthy you reflect through your skin! Eat healthy, exercise, and keep infections at bay. Need to book a full body checkup? Book here.