What To Do For Skin Care In Winter?

Winter is harsh on the skin due to colder temperatures, low humidity and indoor heating stripping off the natural moisture in your skin, leading to dryness and irritation. For a smooth and healthy appearance of your skin during this season, a few additions are to be added to your routine. This winter skincare guide includes tips on proper cleansing, thorough moisturizing, proper application of sun protection, as well as lifestyle habits meant to make your skin not only resilient but hydrated with the changing weather to prevent you from being uncomfortable even while the weather is harsh.

Some important tips are given below which help us in keeping our skin safe during the winter season.

1. The Cleanser Must Be Gentle:

• Avoid harsh soaps or foaming cleansers in winter that strip your skin of its natural oils.
• Use a cream-based or hydrating cleanser that gently cleanses without drying out your skin.
• Use lukewarm water instead of hot which can further dry and irritate your skin.

2. Moisturize Right After Cleansing:

• Moisturize within minutes after washing your face or taking a shower when your skin is still damp.
• This locks in moisture while keeping your skin from drying.
• Choose something that is more moisturizing and richer for the winter if your skin feels tight or dry.

3. Use a Humidifier Inside:

• Well indoor heating will dehydrate the air completely making your skin really dry also.
• A humidifier lets moist air hence retaining the moisture for your skin to keep hydrated. 
• Place your humidifier preferably in the room where you sleep mostly or simply place one in your bed room.

4. You Never Skimp On Sunscreen:

• This doesn't mean you are saved from the sun's damaging ultraviolet rays just because it is winter. Ultraviolet rays can pass through your skin even during a cloudy day.
• Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen containing an SPF of at least 30 on any exposed body part to the sun. Face and hands must have full coverage.
• Apply every day even if you stay inside most of the time or the sun isn't powerful.

5. Avoid Over-Exfoliation:

• Exfoliating removes dead skin cells but over-exfoliating destroys your skin's natural barrier.
• You can reduce your exfoliation to once a week or opt for an extremely mild exfoliant during winter.
• When it comes to dry winter skin look for products that contain natural ingredients like oatmeal or lactic acid which will be less irritating to the skin.

6. Hydrating Serums:

• Apply a hydrating serum on top of your moisturiser. 
• For instance, glycerin or hyaluronic acid draw moisture onto the skin and maintain this moisture in the skin thus making it look plumper and hydrated even on drier days.
• Serums are very light so take time to absorb; thus do not feel greasy at all under your moisturiser.

7. Shower for Less Time:

• Long hot showers are great during winter, but they dry your skin. 
• Try to shower within 5-10 minutes and keep the water lukewarm rather than hot.
• Immediately after that pat (do not rub) your skin dry and apply a body moisturizer to lock in moisture.

8. Lip Balm for Dry Lips:

• Lips dry out easily so try to keep a hydrating lip balm ready all the time.
•  Choose one containing ingredients like shea butter, beeswax or petroleum jelly which keep your skin moist. 
• Try to refrain from licking your lips since it dries the skin more. 

9. Layer Your Clothing for Preservation:

• The cold winds strip off the moisture content on your skin thus creating a feeling of itchiness. Wearing a scarf around your face and neck protects them from the extreme condition.
  
• You should use gloves as well to ensure your hands are not parched and chapped. 
• Wear loose-fitting cotton since irritations tend to be met in some wool and synthetic materials especially for very sensitive skin.

10. Sufficient Water Intake:

• We easily forget our needs for drinking water in winters since we don't really feel thirsty like we usually do during summers.
• Have enough intake of water daily to maintain hydrated skin both internally and externally.
• Herbs or warm lemon water can be a good alternative if you wish to drink a hot liquid.

11. Eat a Skin-Friendly Diet:

• There are certain foods that are actually good for your skin. Eat a diet that's rich in healthy fats such as omega-3s which are found in fish, flaxseed and walnuts.
• Vitamin E and C-rich foods such as nuts, seeds, citrus fruits and leafy greens are fantastic for skin health and help the skin stay smooth and strong.

12. Don't Forget Hand Cream:

• The hands are exposed to cold more often and can be pretty dry or even cracky.
• Apply a rich moisturizing hand cream day and night, and more when you wash your hands.
• Opt for a thick moisturizing cream that has elements such as glycerin, shea butter or oils in it.

13. Deep Sleep:

• This is the time that enables your skin to recover or repair itself.
• Make sure that you sleep for at least 7-8 hours per night.
• One day you would surely prefer to have the silken or satin type. Such materials are lighter in skin contact and therefore support better moisture retention on the surface of your skin.

14. Overnight Masks:

• Just having a mask applied will sometimes add extra moisture to it if left overnight.
• And find products that have good things to add such moisture including aloe-vera and honey as well as hyaluronic acid.
• The goal here is soft hydrated-looking skin in the morning that happens after one application that might be twice at night time.

15. Liquor and Coffee- Quit Both:

• Both liquor and coffee are diuretics. This makes your body dry up and, consequently your skin.
• Both of these liquids reduce in the winter or increase water consumption in case you still want to indulge.
• Herbal teas, especially peppermint and green tea help keep your warm and moist without dehydrating effects of coffee.

In Summary:

Soothing Cleanser: Go for something light, milky-like cleanser
Thick Moisturizer: Immediately after wash.
Humidifier: One should employ it so that the indoors gain moisture content in the air.
Use Sunscreen Daily: Using SPF of 30 and above daily.
Gentle Exfoliation: It should not be made more than weekly.
Hydrate Serum: The serum should hydrate like hyaluronic acid.
Short Shower: Take shower for only a short while and that too lukewarm water.
Lip Protection: Lubricate your lips time to time.
Wear Layers: You can wear layers or something to save your skin from wind or cold so that it might keep your inner self warm from inside.
Be Hydrate: Stay hydrated to drink many glasses of water.
Take Healthy Diet: Stay healthy by including foods of healthy fats.
Use Some Hand Cream: To keep the hands moisturized.
Sleep Well: Ensure to get 7-9 hours at night.
Mask Overnight: Apply overnight mask once a week.
Avoid Alcohol and Caffeine: Both will dry the skin.

By following all these tips every day in the winter season it will help keep the skin soft, hydrated and healthy.