Tips to Combat Dry Skin during Winter
When winter is about to set in, it is finally time to say goodbye to those cool beach shirts and bright summer dresses, and bring out stylish coats, sleek boots, and fashionable hats & scarves to beat the chill. However, the onset of winter also means your skin becoming excessively dry due to the cold and dry air outdoors. In fact, the dry heated air inside your home also reduces the natural moisture levels of your skin, causing it to become flaky, itchy, and irritated.
Here are a few tips so you can take good care of your skin during the cold months:
Moisturize well
As you well know, the skin loses a lot of moisture during winter, so you have to hydrate often and on a regular basis. Dehydrated skin occurs due to lack of humidity during winter, with the skin tone looking flaky and dull. When you moisturize properly, it protects the skin from water loss, while creating a barrier to prevent it from happening further.
Use a lightweight, oil-free moisturizer during the day and intensive nighttime cream before retiring at night. Follow this skincare routine daily so your skin remains nourished, hydrated, and protected against uncomfortable dryness.
Steer clear from harsh cleansers
While all soaps tend to cause a certain amount of dryness, alcohol-based cleansers, and scented soaps are all the more irritating, so you have to avoid them. They tend to deplete natural oils of the skin, Always use gentle and mild cleansers that are labeled as “fragrance free”. It is best to use body washes than bar soaps since the former contains more moisturizing ingredients.
Use anti-aging products
While aging leads to fine lines and wrinkles on the skin becoming more prominent, dry skin (another effect of aging), tends to do the same. That is why your beauty routine should include anti-aging and anti-wrinkle products so the skin stays hydrated constantly. Since it is dehydration that ultimately leads to wrinkles appearing visibly, keep your skin well moisturized when the air outdoors dries out.
Don’t forget to exfoliate
Don’t be under the misconception that only those with oily skin have to exfoliate regularly. Exfoliation is necessary for all skin types, but the frequency differs. Dull skin means too much of dead skin cells have piled up on the surface that tends to clog pores and robs the skin of its radiance. Exfoliation removes the dulling buildup, while promoting a healthy cell turnover rate, so the healthy glow of your skin is restored. Just make sure you don’t over-exfoliate as it will do more harm than good!
Take care of your lips
Lips get chapped and cracked during winter; it starts happening when fall sets in. Use natural, conditioning lip balms to protect and heal dry lips. They provide a barrier of protection, while seeping in and soothing the skin too.
As a bonus, drink lots of water – this isn’t a tip meant solely for summer, but it works wonders when the weather turns cold too. Hot drinks like tea and cocoa is more appealing during this time, but you can have a glass of lukewarm water with lemon as it is refreshing and hydrating at the same time and prevents skin from becoming overly dry. Structure your skincare routine before the chill sets in and winds become super dry, so you are prepared in advance!