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Winter weather is not fun for skin. Cold weather and low humidity levels result in dry air, which then steals moisture away from the skin every second of every day. Without immediate care, dry skin can lead to cracking and bleeding, and harsh winter wind makes the problem worse. Indoor heat further robs the air of moisture, as do hot showers or baths and harsh cleansers.
Additional moisture helps, but you need to do more to actually counteract these effects and keep skin looking youthful and smooth. To reduce chapping, redness, itching, and keep skin more healthy and comfortable
this season, try these tips.
1. Cleansing, The First Step To Healthy Skin
No matter which product you use, cleansing is a must-follow first step in skincare. This has to be followed through the year irrespective of the season. In winters, you can limit the number of times you wash your face from 3 times to 2 times and alternatively cleanse your face with cold milk and cotton ball to prevent excessive dryness.
2. Scrub, Exfoliation Is The Key
Exfoliating your skin with a scrub is a given in any season. But you may want to minimize the number of times you scrub your face in winters as daily scrubbing might cause abrasion and turn your skin drier. It helps to use a mild exfoliating scrub and make it a weekly affair.
You can enhance your scrubbing experience by making your own scrub using natural ingredients available at your home. Here’s a sample fruit scrub for you.
- 2 tbsp. mashed ripe banana
- 2 tbsp. of a mashed apple
- 1 tbsp. honey
- 2 dollops of your Mild scrub.
Mix all the ingredients and gently scrub your face for 2 minutes in circular motions. Washing it off with warm water and pat dry with a soft towel.
3. Toning To Tighten The Skin
First things first, always use a mild toner that suits your skin rather than one loaded with chemicals. A harsh toner could disturb your skin’s PH levels. Toning will remove the post-cleansing residual dirt from your face. Toning not only tightens your skin but also prepares it for the moisturizer, night serum you are about to apply to the face.
4. Moisturizing For Soothing
Moisturising is not just essential for very dry and flaky skin, but regular skin type must indulge in this routine too. If you are not for chemical-laden products, then you could go for any of the natural moisturizers— almond oil or extra virgin olive oil. Alternatively, you can mix the oil with your normal cold cream or lotion too. Gently massage this into your skin till it absorbs and leave it on.
5. Essential Face Packs For Winter
There are hundreds of ingredients in your kitchen which can help keep your facial skin soft and supple in the harsh cold season. Here are a few face packs that you can make use of.
Avocado Face Pack
Avocado has extreme moisturizing properties, it’s good for hair as well as your face. Use mashed ripe avocado on the face for about 10-15 minutes before washing off with warm water. Apply a light moisturizer instead of a toner.
Banana Face Pack
Mashed ripe banana is a great moisturizing agent. Take 4 to 5 tablespoons of mashed ripe banana and massage it on the face. Wash off after 10 minutes and give your face some massage with honey, go in circular motions for that extra moisturizing feel. Do so for at least 10 minutes and finish off with a toner.
ButterMilk Pack
Use malai or fresh buttermilk with a pinch of turmeric, let it stay on the face for about 10 minutes before washing off with lukewarm water.
Aloe Vera
Known for its incredibly moisturizing properties, aloe vera can be used on the face as a moisturizer; It is an ideal way to relieve your face from dryness and enhance its texture.
6. Keep Yourself Hydrated
Drink plenty of water since it’s essential to keep your body and skin hydrated in the dry weather. This will also ensure your skin remains glowing.
7. Shield Your Skin From The Sun
The sun may be hiding in winters, but it still manages to peep through the clouds allowing the UVA and UVB rays to harm your skin. Thus, never give sunscreen a miss.
Here are Some Other Tips-
1. Wash in Luke Warm Water- Hot showers and baths always feel good in the winter, but when you can, particularly when just washing your face or hands, choose lukewarm water to avoid stripping as many oils away from the skin.
2. Moisturize Immediately Afterwards- Your skin not only needs more moisture, but moisture right after you wash. Applying moisture to damp skin helps seal that dampness into the skin. Keep a bottle near the bathtub, shower stall, and at every sink and use liberally every time you wash.
3. Choose Moisturizer Carefully- Some over-the-counter moisturizers have petroleum-based ingredients that can actually further dry your skin in the winter months. Be sure to choose a smart formula that has natural, nourishing ingredients. Go for an oil-based rather than a water-based solution, as it’s more likely to help your skin retain moisture in the winter. Try Indie Lee’s natural moisturizing oils, as they’re made with natural, hydrating ingredients like lavender, chamomile, jojoba, and more, which help soothe dry, itchy skin.
4. Hydrate From The Inside Out- Eating foods high in water content can help hydrate your skin from the inside out. Try watermelon, cantaloupe, apples, oranges, kiwi, and watery veggies like celery, tomatoes, cucumbers, zucchini, and carrots. Make sure you’re getting enough vitamin C and zinc to support the healthy production of collagen and elastin. Also consider Be Well’s omega-3 supplement, or consume more fatty fish and flaxseed to give your skin the building blocks it needs to appear supple and smooth.
5. Exfoliate- We often forget to help the skin slough off dead cells in the winter, particularly on our hands. Yet moisture can’t get in if the dead cells are too plentiful. Find an exfoliating mask and use it on your face and your hands, as well as gently on your lips, then follow immediately with moisture to truly see a smoother difference. Exfoliating body washes are also helpful in the winter months.
I hope these tips will help you bid goodbye to winter woes. Have you any more tips for winter skincare? Do drop in a text in the comments section below.