Facing parched and rough skin problems this winter? It’s time to adopt a well-nourished skincare routine.
Summers may leave your skin excessively oily and dull, while winters may cause dryness due to reduced humidity and low temperature. This weather transition may pose several skin issues, including dehydration, hypersensitivity, sun spots, and damaged skin. However, you can avoid these issues by regularly moisturizing the skin, wearing sunscreen, getting adequate sleep, and eating a balanced diet.
Let’s have a look at essential winter skincare tips you must follow for a healthy skincare routine this season.
Discarding the use of sunscreens after sunny summer is a usual practice, but is it right for your skin? The answer is No!
Protecting your skin with sunscreen is crucial in each season. The sun’s harmful ultraviolet rays may penetrate your skin and cause severe damage to skin cells, such as sunburn, skin sensitivity, and rashes. Therefore, you should apply sunscreens (SPF 30 or above) every time you go outside. Moreover, re-apply it every 3-4 hours for better protection.
Dryness and pollution in winter may build up excessive dirt and bacteria in your skin cells, needing you to deeply cleanse the skin with a quality cleanser to eliminate this unhealthy stuff. Natural and mild cleansers containing herbal extracts and cool ingredients effectively treat your winter skin problems. Choose a cleanser that can help hydrate your skin and prevent moisture loss.
Decreased temperatures and humidity in winter may reduce the skin’s natural moisture. Due to this undue skin dryness, your body needs more hydration in the fall and winter compared to the summer season. It helps retain the skin’s natural moisture, thus boosting its elasticity and youthfulness. Drinking enough may also help to improve your skin radiance and glow by flushing the toxins away.
The transition from summer to winter can cause an imbalance of skin moisture. Daily application of a thick layer of moisturizer can hydrate your skin pores, thus reducing the risk of extreme dryness and sensitivity.
Use non-clogging and oil-based moisturizers for better results. Natural moisturizing ingredients such as coconut oil, shea butter, honey, aloe vera, and olive oil may also be highly effective.
As mentioned earlier, the winter season might cause skin sensitivity, so increasing the intake of fresh fruits and vegetables is a great way to hydrate and protect your skin. These are enriched with essential vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, which help combat free radical damage.
Skin becomes hyper-sensitive in the winter season, making it more prone to frequent skin infections such as irritation and acne breakout. Ingredients having strong chemicals, certain essential oils, fragrances, and alcohol can increase skin sensitivity. Therefore, you should avoid such products to soothe and shield your skin texture.
The topical application of vitamin C in the form of creams or serums can prove to be highly beneficial for the winter skincare routine. It is an anti-aging ingredient that helps prevent wrinkles, fine lines, and uneven skin tone. Vitamin C also protects the skin from oxidative damage and environmental pollutants, leaving it healthy and young. Moreover, it shields your skin from UV rays that are not entirely blocked by sunscreens.
Retinol is an excellent anti-aging ingredient for keeping your skin juvenile and healthy. It penetrates deep inside the skin tissues to improve its texture and reduce pigmentation or skin sensitivity. Retinol in summer may pose several skin issues, such as photosensitivity and rashes, due to extremely high temperatures and humid weather. However, it may do wonders as an exfoliant and cleanser in winter or fall. Skincare experts recommend using retinol at night for achieving effective results.
One of the essential steps in the winter skincare routine is to reduce exfoliation. Cold temperature, dry air, and harsh exfoliants may enhance skin sensitivity, leading to acne breakouts and irritation. Using mild exfoliants with gentle scrubbing can help you better manage your skin sensitivity.
The winter season may increase the risk of acne breakouts and skin infections, and an unhealthy diet may trigger such skin issues. Sugar is one such ingredient that may induce skin infections, hormonal imbalances, and other health problems. Restricting high-sugar foods and refined carbs may be highly beneficial for your general health and skin conditions.
During the autumn months, temperatures vary both outside and inside of your house. Building heating systems remove humidity from the indoor air and your skin’s surface. Therefore, a humidifier helps restore this lost moisture, making skin well-nourished.
Your winter skincare routine doesn’t have to be stressful. Using mild ingredients, applying sunscreens, consuming a healthy diet, and following other tips shared above can be incredible to protect your skin from harsh weather.