For healthy winter skin

To appreciate the beauty of a snowflake, it is necessary to stand out in the cold. True that! Winter has its own charm. But have you ever realised the havoc it could wreak on your skin? The cold air robs the natural moisture from your skin, leaving it dry and itchy. It can even cause severe dry skin, eczema, and psoriasis. That's why you need to take care of it. Here are some tips for you.

Use lukewarm water

It is very tempting to go for hot showers when the temperature is dipping. But if you love your skin, avoid them. Instead, use lukewarm water to shower and wash your face. Hot showers dry your skin quickly, and if you do not moisturise it immediately, your skin can develop cracks and winter eczema. Once you have taken a lukewarm shower, apply a moisturiser that contains hyaluronic acid and ceramides. This will keep the moisture barrier intact and prevent dryness.

Stay hydrated

Be it inside your home or outside, the air is drier in winter. And as a result, water evaporates from your body easily. Hence, you need to keep your skin hydrated. You can also install a humidifier to manage the moisture level in your home. This will certainly keep your skin happy.

Choose skin care products wisely

What kept your skin happy during summers can make it sad during winters. And that's why you need to change your skin care products accordingly. The key to healthy and glowing winter skin is using mild skin care products. Choose cleansers that contain moisturisers to avoid stripping your skin of its natural moisture barrier.

If you have acne or breakouts, use products containing ceramides, hyaluronic acid, hydration serums, and glycerin to help in repairing the moisture barrier of your skin. Avoid masks and peels, astringent lotions, and any product that contains alcohol as they make your skin dry during the winter.

Protect your skin

You need to protect your skin from the cold wind or snow or rain if you are stepping out in winter. So, wear gloves and caps and do not forget your sunscreen lotion. The warm sun rays feel pleasant, but the UV rays can still damage your skin a lot. Choose a sunscreen that has titanium dioxide or zinc oxide.

Do not exfoliate your skin a lot

Exfoliating the skin helps in getting rid of dead cells. You have to be careful during winters because your skin barrier is already compromised due to the dry and cold weather. Exfoliating your skin once a week is fine – this helps in boosting skin regeneration and better product absorption. Also, you should exfoliate depending on your skin type. If you have very dry skin, exfoliate your skin lightly. If you have combination and oily skin, once a week is fine.

Don't forget the hands

The skin on your hands has fewer oil glands as compared to the skin on any other body part. That's why moisture escapes from your hands quickly, making them prone to cracks and itchiness. Apply a moisturiser before you go out.

Care for your feet

Choose glycerin-based creams and petroleum jelly to moisturise your feet. Also, make sure you exfoliate the skin on your feet occasionally so that it can absorb the moisturiser easily.