Skincare is a technique that essentially maintains the health condition of the skin. With the increase in pollution every day, there is an increasing need to properly take care of the skin to protect it from the harmful chemicals in the environment. And the current generation of people is very conscious about their health, including proper maintenance of their skin. A good skincare routine ensures that your skin looks fresh and clear regardless of the pollutants that might come your way. But, what needs to be remembered is that the skincare regime must suit your skin, and it also needs to be modified according to the changing seasons. This article includes all you need to know about a proper winter skincare routine to help you keep your skin fresh, clear, and glowing throughout the winter season.
Effects of Winter Season on the Skin.
The skin is well-known as the largest organ of the body. Its primary functions are to act as a protective layer against the external environment and prevent water loss. The outermost layer of the skin consists of a layer of cells surrounded by oils or lipids such as ceramides, cholesterol, and fatty acids. These oils or lipids determine the moisture levels of the skin. During the winter months, the skin produces a lower amount of these oils, making the skin more susceptible to dryness, also known as winter itch. Our efforts like long, hot showers and internal heating to stay warm during the cold weather tend to suck the moisture from the skin, adding to its susceptibility to winter itch. Thus, it becomes a little more important to take care of your skin during the winter months of the year.
Tips to Maintain Overall Health of the Skin.
- The food you eat every day has a massive effect on the health of your skin. Foods like carrots, apricots, spinach, green leafy vegetables, tomatoes, berries, beans, peas, lentils, salmon, mackerel fish, fatty fish, and nuts are considered skin-friendly foods. On the other hand, highly processed foods or foods containing large amounts of refined sugars, carbohydrates, or unhealthy fats promote skin aging. One needs to keep in mind that you need to focus on eating a healthy diet rather than on specific foods for healthy skin.
- Replace foaming face washes and body washes with mild ones, as foaming face washes and body washes will dry out your skin even further. Hot showers can be very tempting in cold weather, but they tend to suck the moisture from the skin heavily. So, it is always better to use lukewarm water to wash your skin.
- It is incredibly essential to try and incorporate the use of body butter in your winter skincare. Body butter is basically a nourishing cream that contains natural ingredients like coconut oil, shea butter, kokum butter, cocoa butter, mango butter, etc. Just after taking a bath, applying body butter moisturizes the skin, seals moisture, prevents fine lines and wrinkles, smoothes dry patches, and soothes the skin.
- The skin renews itself overnight, and therefore, the nighttime skincare routine must be given immense importance. Your nighttime winter skincare routine must include as many hydrating products as possible because your skin is most prone to moisture loss during the night. After removing your makeup and using a creamy cleanser, applying a hydrating serum or lotion is essential, followed by a nourishing oil and a rich cream to lock the moisture in throughout the night.
- Applying a thick layer of sunscreen in winter is an absolute necessity. The ozone layer is at its thinnest during the winters, thus substantially increasing the risk of ultraviolet (UV) rays. The high exposure to UV rays increases the chances of sunburns, spots, and melanoma, known as the deadliest form of skin cancer. Additionally, a moisturising sunscreen increases the moisture levels of the skin, which tend to lower due to the low humidity and harsh winds during the winter season.
Homemade Remedies For Winter Skincare.
- Ubtans are one of the best homemade remedies for winter skin care. An ubtan is essentially an ayurvedic body cleanser packed with essential herbs and minerals. The most common ingredients required to make an ubtan include oatmeal, chickpea flour, almonds, turmeric, neem powder, masoor dal, fennel, saffron, and sandalwood powder. An ubtan created from the unique blend of various ingredients cleanses, exfoliates, softens, and smoothens the skin.
- The winter season takes a significant toll on the skin by sucking all its moisture. Therefore, this is when moisturisers must be used daily to replenish the skin’s moisture. But, sometimes, moisturisers are not enough. Massaging body oils are a great way to moisturise, soothe, and tighten the skin. These body oils like sweet almond oil, coconut oil, argan oil, jojoba oil, apricot oil, tea tree oil, mustard oil, etc., contain essential fatty acids that nourish the skin and give it a protective barrier.
Do’s and Don’ts For Winter Skincare
- Tailor Your Skincare: With winter leading to the drop in hydration in our skin, it is beneficial to opt for thicker moisturising cream during the colder months and replace foaming cleansers because they can be harsher to the skin during winters.
- Don’t Skip Your Exercise: Even with the blankets seeming a little more tempting in the winter season, it is essential not to skip your exercise session because it helps in skin detox and maintains the glow of your skin.
- Exfoliate Regularly: Exfoliating two or three times a week during winter helps remove the dry or dead skin cells from the surface, thus allowing your products to penetrate deeply and more efficiently.
- Don’t Indulge in Long, Hot Showers: Long, hot showers tend to compromise the skin’s lipid layer, thus leading to irritation and moisture loss. Therefore, it is crucial to keep the temperature at a moderate level and not stay under the shower for long periods.
The primary key to a perfect winter skincare routine is to choose products that provide moisture to the skin. As much as using the right products on the skin is important, a healthy diet, water intake, and regular exercise are also essential. It is best to use mild face washes and body washes, and body butter to retain the skin’s moisture during the colder months. While creating a winter skincare regimen, most people tend to focus only on the face and forget their hands and feet. The hands and feet also suffer hugely during the winter. Always keep a hand cream handy, and don’t forget to apply a cream on your soles before wearing some warm socks and jumping into your bed.
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