Winter is a great time to get your skin into shape. It’s also the most important time of year for keeping your skin hydrated, which can be tricky in winter as our bodies are less active than during summer months. Here are some tips shared by Dermatologist Dr Sonam on how to keep your skin healthy and glowing this winter :
- Keep skin hydrated
- Drink plenty of water. The body is made up of 60% water, so it’s important to keep your skin hydrated by drinking plenty of H20.
- Use a hydrating mist. You can use a serum or moisturiser as well, but mists are especially helpful if you have very dry or sensitive skin types that need extra repeated hydration.
- Choose wisely when choosing products for winter time: choose ones that contain ingredients like hyaluronic acid or vitamin C since these will help boost collagen production (which helps strengthen the capillaries). If possible try to avoid products containing alcohol because this can dry out sensitive areas like lips and cheeks more quickly than normal – which would only lead us further down our list here !
A good example would be swap your make up remover wipes with a cleansing balm. It’s packed full of nourishing ingredients that won’t irritate your face so much as make it feel soft and smooth after application !
Protect your skin from the harsh environment
- Wear protective clothing as covered areas will remain moisturiser and protected for longer than exposed skin.
- Wear sunscreen daily even in winters.
- Avoid repeated hot water /steam contact.
- Avoid contact with strong cleansers/ sanitisers.
Add a hydrating serum to your routine.
Serums are a great way to get a concentrated dose of skincare ingredients, as they’re usually more enriched with actives than moisturisers. They can be applied directly on your face, or they can be dotted around specific areas. For example, if you have dry skin around your eyes (a common problem during winter), then applying a hyaluronic serum before bedtime will help nourish and hydrate this area so it doesn’t look too tired in the morning.
- Use a ceramide moisturiser frequently.
- Ceramides are a group of lipids that naturally occur in the skin, and they help maintain smooth, supple and healthy looking skin.
- They have been shown to improve the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles and dryness by promoting collagen formation.
- Ceramides also help protect against environmental damage such as UV light or pollution which can lead to premature aging or even cancerous growths.
- They make the creams more potent in their hydrating property without making it thick , greasy and heavy on the skin.
- Avoid hot water
If you’re like me, your skin gets dryer in the winter and it’s hard to keep up with a daily regimen of moisturizing. One of the best ways to prevent dryness? Avoiding hot showers!
If you must have one, make sure that it’s lukewarm or cool—not hot. And if possible, keep it short and follow up with a ceramide moisturiser immediately post bath to make the most of it.
Moisturise when skin is damp
When your skin is damp, it’s an ideal time to moisturise. You can do this by applying moisturiser directly to the skin after showering or washing your hair and face.
Use balms to nourish lips and hands
If you’re looking for a way to treat your lips and hands, consider using a balm. A balm is a moisturizing product that can be used on the lips and hands, as well as other parts of the body.
Ceramides are one of the main ingredients in many lip balms, so it makes sense that they would work well for winter skin. Ceramides are also found in many moisturizers (even ones designed specifically for dry skin), so they might not feel like an added bonus when used during winter months!
If you want an even more concentrated dose of ceramide goodness, try applying one directly onto your lips before bedtime—it’ll help lock in moisture overnight while keeping them soft throughout the day!
A hydrating skincare routine needs to be adapted for winter.
When the weather gets cold, your skin needs a little more TLC. But how do you get it?
Hydrate with moisturizer. The best way to hydrate the skin is by applying a light cream or lotion after cleansing and before bedtime each night. This will help keep your face hydrated throughout the day as well as overnight, where most of our moisture loss occurs.
Use non-irritating products for sensitive areas like lips and eyes if necessary—but avoid chemically loaded products if possible! If you have sensitive skin (or know someone who does), use gentle cleansers instead of harsh chemicals like bleach based ones that can strip away natural oils from our faces over time; these types of cleansers may also cause dryness because they contain less oil than other brands’ versions would offer us at first glance.”
Conclusion :
- If you’re thinking about investing in a hydrating skincare routine, consider incorporating some of these tips into your routine this winter. You can start by ensuring that your skin is properly hydrated, and then move on to protecting it from the environment. We hope this has given you some ideas for how to do just that !
- For severe winter related Dryness particularly in those with sensitive skin problems, it will be good idea to consult your dermatologist who can help with prescription grade skin repair agents like urea, lactic acid and/or topical steroids .
Dr Sonam Ramrakhiani is a leading aesthetic dermatologist and founder of Skin World, Thane.