Take special care of your skin to avoid winter dryness

Winter is around the corner. It’s the season when the eager wait for cold weather ends. Winter season marks the reigning period of mild sun and chilly breeze.

Winter conditions have just set in, and in the next few days, there is likely to be a significant drop in temperature and heightened rainfall. Changing seasons brings with it changes in our lifestyle.

The fall in atmospheric temperature results in less moisture in the air and cold wind dries the skin so much that it turns red and sore. The change in weather wreaks havoc on the skin, scalp, and nails. It is important to hydrate the skin with the right type of cream and moisturisers and to intake adequate liquids, fruits, and nutrients as the skin feels much tighter in cold weather.

Humidity levels tend to drop during winter months. The drier the air, the more moisture it sucks from your skin, so you are more likely to experience dryness and flakiness during the colder months of the year, especially if you are prone to eczema or other dry skin conditions.

Fortunately, there are ways to keep your skin healthy and moisturised during the pre-winter season. You can make your skin look fresh by using ingredients from your kitchen.

For winter, choose ingredients that offer plenty of hydration, such as hyaluronic acid, ceramides, shea butter, and amino acids. Avoid retinoids, which could be harsh on the skin in winter.

Choose a product that helps with your particular skin condition. Use acne treatment if you get breakouts in the summer. Use an extra-hydrating and emollient cream if you get eczema during winter.

If the skin is a normal to dry type, cleanse morning and night with a cleansing cream or gel. At night, cleansing is even more important to remove makeup and other pollutants. Make-up cosmetics also cause dryness. Massage the cleanser lightly into the skin and remove it with moist cotton wool. Using moist cotton wool helps to prevent further dryness, as it does not absorb any more moisture from the skin. After cleansing in the morning, tone the skin, using a rose-based skin tonic or even rose water. Using cotton wool, wipe the skin and then pat it briskly. Toning removes the last stages of the cleanser and also stimulates circulation.

During the day, use sunscreen before going out in the sun. Sun exposure can also cause loss of moisture. Most sunscreens have built-in moisturisers. Moisturisers are available in cream and liquid form. For extreme dryness, use a cream. A liquid moisturiser should be used before applying the foundation. Whenever the skin feels dry, apply a liquid moisturiser.

The skin should also be nourished with a good night cream. Nourishing helps to lubricate the skin and keep it soft. It also helps the skin to hold moisture better. After cleansing, apply the nourishing cream and massage it on the skin, with upward outward movements, for 3 to 4 minutes. Then wipe off all cream with moist cotton wool. Apply an outer-eye cream around the eyes and wipe it off after 10 minutes, with moist cotton wool.

Oily skin faces the problem of superficial dryness. The skin feels dry after washing, but becomes oily, or gets eruptions if creams and moisturisers are applied. Use cleansing milk or face wash. A light moisturising lotion can be used if there is dryness. Add a drop or two of water before application, to give a lighter coverage. Or, use an oil-free day cream. Honey applied to the face daily for 10 minutes and then washed off with water would help to relieve superficial dryness.

The skin on the lips is also very thin and lacks sebaceous (oil-producing) glands. That is why it can become dry and chapped easily. After cleansing, apply almond cream or almond oil to the lips and leave it on overnight. This would help to soften the skin. Lip balms are also helpful.

Here are some home remedies:

Honey applied to the face daily for 10 minutes and then washed off with water helps to relieve dryness and keep the skin soft. For dry skin, add egg yolk or one teaspoon of pure almond oil. For oily skin, add egg white and a little lemon juice.

Take one peeled and cored apple and puree it in a blender. Add one tablespoon of honey. Apply this on the face like a mask and keep it on for 15 minutes. Then, rinse off with cool water. This is a powerful skin toner for all skin types.

Aloe vera is one of the richest natural moisturisers. Apply aloe vera gel daily on the face and wash off with plain water after 20 minutes. If you have aloe vera plants growing at home, apply the gel or juice directly on the skin. The gel obtained from the plant is the leaf pulp, found in the inner portion of the leaves. The aloe juice is found just beneath the outer skin of the leaves. However, while using it directly on the skin at home, one should wash the plant well.

Mix half a teaspoon of honey, one teaspoon of rose water and one teaspoon of dried milk powder. Mix into a paste and apply on the face. Remove after 20 minutes with water.

This winter season make a conscious effort to follow basic skincare requirements like drinking sufficient water, eating seasonal produce, and avoiding junk food and excess sugar. Avoid exposure to extreme climates, whether it’s heavy rain or snowfall. If you notice any skin condition that seems abnormal, don’t hesitate to visit a doctor.