10 Amazing Winter Skin Care Routines

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Not only do our way of living, clothes and eating habits change from summer to winter, but our skin also undergoes seasonal changes. Speaking of skin, caring for the skin is crucial for maintaining its health to cope with climatic change. 

Let’s spend a moment reading about the winter skincare tips that can keep the skin healthy during cold weather.

What happens to the skin during winter? 

Our skin loses moisture and natural oils when the temperature drops, becoming brittle and difficult to handle. The skin starts to dry up and become itchy as a result of the loss of its natural moisture. In extreme instances, it can also cause psoriasis, eczema and other skin disorders. 

Dry air is produced by cold temperatures and low humidity levels, which wicks moisture from the skin. Dry winter air can exacerbate skin issues and result in cracked skin, which can sometimes bleed. During these cold, dry months, skin diseases like eczema or psoriasis may also get worse. 

Common skin issues during winter 

Eczema 

Eczemas, such as atopic dermatitis and asteotic eczemas, are more common due to dry skin, which causes red, itchy eruptions in people of all ages, including infants and the elderly. The use of occlusive moisturisers frequently is really helpful, and a dermatologist may occasionally advise applying corticosteroid creams to the affected area.

Psoriasis 

Patients with an autoimmune skin condition like psoriasis develop thick, scaly, reddish lesions on their skin and scalp. Winters, which cause dryness, make this disease worse. Shea butter, paraffin, glycerine and other moisturising ingredients are helpful, but patients should seek a dermatologist for treatment as oral and prescription medications are frequently required to relieve the symptoms.

Rosacea 

Rosacea is a common skin ailment that makes the face and eyes flush or blush. Before fading or entering remission, rosacea may experience flare-ups that last for weeks or months. Rosacea can result in long-term harm to the skin and eyes if neglected. For many people, cold weather is a common trigger.

Keratosis Pilaris 

The skin ailment known as Chicken Skin or keratosis pilaris is common among people and is completely painless. These reddish or skin-coloured lumps might appear on the buttocks, thighs or arms. These are frequently noticeable when the skin is dry, like in the winter.

Chapped lips

Lips have a relatively thin layer of skin, so they cannot be mostly covered like other body parts. As a result, during the winter, they may become particularly dry, cracking and exfoliating in the form of crusts. People frequently lick their lips to moisten them or peel off the crust, both of which aggravate the problem. It is advisable to apply a lip balm with glycerin, petroleum jelly, silicone or aloe vera several times a day for best results.

Winter skincare tips 

Moisturise 

To achieve soft, radiant skin throughout the winter, moisturising is essential. The secret to preserving the skin’s natural hydration during the winter is to use a moisturiser. Using a moisturiser will calm the skin and enhance its radiance, in addition to increasing the moisture content of the skin.

Use hydrating cleansers 

Our skin loses moisture as a result of the dry air around us as the temperature drops and with the decline in humidity levels. To help protect the skin from the damaging effects of the cold weather throughout the winter, switch to a moisturising cleanser that can assist in hydrating dry skin and reinforce the skin’s barrier. In addition, it assists in washing away dead skin cells without leaving the skin tight or dry.

Limit hot showers 

Keep the temperature of the shower between 98 and 99 degrees Fahrenheit, and try to keep it to five to seven minutes. Higher temperatures can deplete the skin’s natural protective layer and strip the skin of its necessary moisture, which might cause moisture-related problems.

Follow a skincare routine.

Following a fundamental and easy skin care regimen can help maintain healthy skin throughout the winter. 

  • Cleanse the skin once or twice a day, especially in the morning and at bedtime.
  • Apply a mild daily moisturiser to the face after the cleansing step to keep the moisture in. 
  • Use a rich moisturiser or sleeping cream at night. Due to the fact that freshly washed skin absorbs moisture better, this should be done on damp skin.

Exfoliate 

Exfoliation involves getting rid of dead cells on the skin. Exfoliating during winter requires additional care since the dry and cool weather already damages the skin’s protective barrier. 

It’s acceptable to exfoliate the skin once a week to promote skin regeneration and improve product absorption. One should also exfoliate depending on the skin type. Individuals with dry skin must lightly exfoliate the skin. Exfoliating once a week is sufficient for combination or oily skin. 

Use sunscreen 

Using sunscreen during winter is essential for preserving the skin’s health, even when it’s cold.

UVB rays are a major contributor to sunburn during summer, according to the Skin Cancer Foundation. This does not imply that they simply vanish in the winter. The skin is always vulnerable to UVB radiation, which can burn and damage it. They may be considerably more harmful when they reflect off ice or snow or while at greater altitudes.

In fact, snow can reflect as much as 80% of the UV rays from the sun. As a result, the chances of developing skin cancer and other skin-damaging conditions are increased. It is always advisable to layer on the SPF before going out or even while being cosy at home. 

It is still possible for the skin to get damaged by UVA rays in the winter. The benefits of using sunscreen in the winter include

  • Preventing skin cancer.
  • Preventing wrinkles due to prolonged sun exposure.
  • Shielding the skin from sun damage.

Choose the right skincare products

What gave the skin a summery glow may render a wintery gloom. One must therefore modify the skin care regimen properly. The secret to healthy, radiant winter skin is to use gentle skin care products. 

To prevent removing the skin’s protective natural moisture barrier, picking cleansers that also contain moisturisers is beneficial. 

Using ceramides, hyaluronic acid, hydration serums and glycerin-containing products for skin with acne or breakouts help in restoring the skin’s moisture barrier. 

Since masks, peels, astringent lotion and products containing alcohol cause the skin to become dry during winter, staying away from them is advisable.

Use lip balm 

Chapped and dry lips are one thing to detest the most about this cold season. After using the serums and creams, one might have beautiful skin, but dry lips can undo all of that. 

When the lips start to feel even a bit dry, apply a generous amount of lip balm, and avoid excessive lip-licking. Since sun damage is more noticeable in the winter, an SPF-infused lip balm will provide an additional layer of protection. 

It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to claim that lip balms are among the most common skincare products to use in the winter. They keep the lips hydrated and guard against them becoming dry and cracked. 

Who wouldn’t love lip balms that moisturise the lips while also adding a splash of colour, especially on days when lipsticks seem a little too overbearing? Prefer purchasing tinted lip balms for that glossy and shaded lips.

Physical activity

It might be difficult to get out of bed on a frigid winter morning and leave the warmth and comfort of the blanket behind. But the skin requires its pump through exercise. The heart rate will increase during exercise, and this increased blood flow to the skin and organs will be beneficial.

Choose healthy foods

Eating plenty of seasonal fruits and vegetables is the key. Berries are excellent sources of the vitamins and antioxidants the skin requires to keep healthy during the winter. 

Strawberries, grapes, blueberries, raspberries or cherries are also healthy options. An individual can make up for a lack of water consumption by eating more fruits, vegetables and other foods like soups, salads, juices and milk. The body will receive the nutrients it needs to maintain healthy skin through a nutritious diet.

Conclusion 

The harsh winter weather and dry indoor air can leave skin in less-than-ideal condition.

Winter skin care requires a little extra care and effort due to the weather’s effect on the delicate skin layer. In colder climates, low humidity is typical, depriving the skin of hydration. Also, there is intense dry heat inside the body.

This frequently makes the skin dry, flaky and irritated. As skin becomes dryer, it is more likely to crack and bleed. With the aid of skincare tips, one may avoid damage to the skin and maintain the skin’s health all winter long.

FAQs

What is the best skincare routine for winter? 

The following is a basic skincare routine to follow during winter.
1. Cleanse the face with milk or a milk-based cleanser since it is a fantastic cleaner.
2. Skin exfoliation should be done depending on the skin type. Exfoliation is essential in the winter to get rid of flaky, dead skin.
3. Massaging the skin every day is important.
4. Choose a moisturiser, gel or cream for deep conditioning.

How can I improve my winter skin? 

Moisturising the skin immediately after washing, using sunscreen every day, applying overnight creams, modifying the skincare routine and going easy on scrubs and exfoliants help improve the winter skin.

How to keep the skin moisturised in winter? 

Applying moisturiser or choosing natural oils for the skin helps keep the skin moisturised in winter. 


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The Information including but not limited to text, graphics, images and other material contained on this blog are intended for education and awareness only. No material on this blog is intended to be a substitute for professional medical help including diagnosis or treatment. It is always advisable to consult medical professional before relying on the content. Neither the Author nor Star Health and Allied Insurance Co. Ltd accepts any responsibility for any potential risk to any visitor/reader.

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