Top 9 Tips For Healthy Winter Skin
Winter has it’s own charm and is a wonderful time in the year. From creating footprints in the snow during windswept walks to enjoying hot drinks near the cozy fireplace, it’s a season to relax, recover and prepare. It’s wisely quoted by Tom Allen, “Winter forms our character and brings out our best” but when it comes to skin care, it can be challenging.
The cold weather and dry air can wreak havoc on the skin which can make it dry, itchy and irritated. It can also cause psoriasis and eczema in extreme cases. But by following some simple steps we can keep our skin moisturized and supple this season.
Here are some simple but useful tips that will help you keep your skin supple and soft. Follow these to be confident, comfortable and feel your best all season long. Keep your skin super happy this winter.
1. Stay Hydrated!
The external moisture levels drop in winters and results in easy evaporation of water from the body. For restoring skin moisture, you can use humidifiers for indoors. Drinking appropriate amounts of water is extremely important whether it’s winters or summers. You can calculate the amount of water that you should drink in a day by measuring your weight.
For every 20 kg you should drink 1 litre water.
If drinking something cold in this weather seems a hassle to you then you can go for other options like having lukewarm water with a dash of lemon or a herbal detoxifying tea. Drinking these warm drinks would be great alternatives to drinks like coffee and traditional tea because it’s true that ‘We are what we have’.
2. Pick Right Skin Care Products
Using the right winter skin care products can make a real difference. In winters you should make use of gentle and fragrance free face cleansers. Moreover, using cream based non-stripping face cleansers retains the moisture of skin. Mild products don’t mess with the moisture barrier of the skin. Therefore, use of the ingredients like hyaluronic acid, ceramides and glycerin help in repairing the moisture barrier and prevent trans-epidermal water loss.
Using hydrating and alcohol-free toners also help. Avoid using peels, masks and products that contain alcohol in them. Alcohol in products can very stripping and it also disturbs the moisture barrier. Always make the habit of turning the tubes! (Read the ingredient list before buying any product, knowing what you are applying is important.)
Find out your skin type and the right products for your skin type here- https://skinsick.com/how-to-begin-your-skincare-journey/
3. Don’t Forget Your Sunscreen
Benefits of applying sunscreen are endless! It is the most important step in the morning skin care routine. If you are skipping application of sunscreen, you are genuinely putting all the other products in drain. Sunscreen protects the skin from the harmful UV rays of the sun. In winters sun might seem warm and pleasant but it can do a lot of damage so skipping on this step is a complete NO NO!
Use a sunscreen that contains Titanium oxide or Zinc oxide. It does give a bit of a white cast but it’s for the best. Wear caps and gloves when you step out. Use a minimum of 30 SPF sunscreen.
4. Make Moisturizer Your Best Friend
Good moisturizers are important for proper hydration. They soothe irritated and itchy skin and protect it from harsh environmental conditions. They protect the moisture barrier of the skin and keeps your skin supple and plum. It enhances the moisture content and soothes the skin. Moreover, a good moisturizer also gives you protection against the harmful UV rays. You should moisturize your skin just after getting out of the shower.
Don’t forget to apply the products on the neck too. That’s a common mistake everybody does. Constant use of moisturizers helps in maintaining the skin health during the harsh winters when it’s prone to dry and getting chapped. Apply the moisturizer on your hands and feet before wearing gloves and socks.
5. Eat Right
Someone truly said “We are what we eat”. Our internal health reflects externally on our face. When we eat healthy and clean we tend to glow. Eating healthy is equally important to using the right products. You should include fruits and vegetables that contain high water content like tomatoes, cucumbers, apples, oranges etc. It helps in collagen production and give benefits of skin-boosting zinc and vitamin C. Don’t go after exotic fruits and vegetables, consumption of the seasonal vegetable and fruits available to you will benefit you the most.
If you miss out on hydration part in your day you can go for the alternatives anytime! Consume liquid based food like soups, juices and salads. You can make your food interesting by incorporating different variety of healthy ingredients.
6. Lip Love!
Lips are a very sensitive part of our face. The skin of lips is very thin in comparison to the skin of the face and hence need extra care. Lips are prone to get dry, flaky, and chapped in the harsh winter season. Scrubbing your lips once in a week to help in the removal of the dead skin cells. By constantly applying lip balms you can keep your lips protected from the harsh conditions. Choosing a good quality lip balm with an SPF levels up the game instantly. You can also follow a simple 3-step lip care routine that includes scrubbing, applying a pack, and then moisturizing your lips.
First, use a good quality lip scrub for scrubbing your lips in a circular motion. Whipping up a homemade scrub with fine sugar particles and almond oil can also be done. In the second place, apply a layer of honey on the lips as a pack for a couple minutes, wash it with lukewarm water and finally apply a moisturizer. This simple 3-step process can make a real difference for your lips. Following it continuous can also help with the pigmentation and discoloration of the lips.
7. Exfoliate
Skin naturally sheds dead skin cells every 30 days. After this new skin cells form the top layer of the skin. Exfoliation helps in making the skin soft and smooth by buffing away the dead skin cells. By the removal of these dead skin cells, hydrating toners and moisturizers get a proper chance to penetrate deep in the skin but it should be done keeping in mind your skin type.
People with oily and combination skin should scrub once a week and ones with dry skin should scrub once in a couple weeks since our moisture barrier remains compromised in the winters. Scrubbing helps in preventing the dirt, dust and bacteria from getting stuck beneath the skin and thus helps with acne as well.
8. Lower The Temperature
Long, hot water showers can be very tempting in winters but taking a 10 minute lukewarm water bath will be much better for your skin. Hot water strips the skin and makes it devoid of the natural oils produced by the sebaceous glands which can make it dry and irritated.
It’s always better to wash your face and hands with cold water as it is more effective against the germs and also does not disturb the moisture barrier of the skin. The skin of hands and legs have less number of oil glands which makes them more prone to dryness and irritated skin. So we should keep in mind the temperature of water while bathing.
9. Exercise
It’s very difficult to get out of the cozy and warm bed early in the morning to exercise. But for the love of your skin you should work out every day. When you exercise your heart beat increases which improves the blood circulation. It helps in the delivery of oxygen and nutrients to the skin which makes it healthy. It enhances collagen production and promotes the formation of new skin cells and also gives anti-ageing effects as well as reduction in wrinkles in a long run.
Exercising has numerous health benefits and keeps you fit. It having a positive impact on the quality of your skin is a cherry on the top.
These steps are not very difficult to follow and it will give your skin a new radiant glow even in the most harsh environmental conditions. Do you have any winter skin care secrets? If you have more tips for having a healthy skin in winters you can share them below in the comments section. Do share your feedback in the section below. Till then, keep following us and stay hydrated!
