Introduction:
People swap their clothes from cooler summer to warmer winter clothes when the season changes to adapt to the climate. Similarly, extra care has to be taken to adapt the skin to the season. Skin loses up to 25 % of its ability to hold moisture content in winter. So the basic skincare routine has to be modified accordingly to keep the skin moist, healthy, and glowing in winter.
How Does the Skin Appear in the Winter Season?
Onboard with seasonal changes, skin also shows some changes. The skin during the winter season appears to be,
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Scaly.
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Red.
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Itchy.
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Rough-in texture.
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Raw.
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Irritated.
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Cracks.
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Burning.
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Feeling tight.
Why Does the Skin Appear Dry During Winter?
Skin becomes dry during winter because of the following factors:-
- Wind blowing across the face causes the evaporation of moisture in the skin, making it tight and dry.
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Depletion of natural oils in the skin due to overwashing or using skincare products causes dryness.
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Decreasing sun exposure is a source of vitamin D, and sunlight has an anti-inflammatory effect on the skin.
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Indoor air pollution.
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Humidity levels.
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Lifestyle changes.
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Alcohol intake.
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There can be genetic reasons as well. Some people have dry skin as they cannot produce filaggrin, a protein that helps hydrate the skin.
How Can One Take Care of the Skin?
1) Stay Hydrated: During winter, people tend to avoid drinking water. But hydrating the body is essential not only to maintain skin health but also for overall health. It is hard to believe that even in this cold winter, people lose water from their bodies and should load water in to manage it.
2) Healthy Diet: The nourishment to the skin should be taken internally and externally. Eating fruits and vegetables would help keep the skin healthy. The omega-3 fatty acid is good for the skin and can be gained by eating cold-water fish and flaxseeds.
3) Moisturize the Skin: Moisturizers are essential during the winter season because they form a protective layer on the skin which retains moisture and makes sure the natural oils of the skin are not lost. Use oil-based moisturizers rather than water-based ones to lock the moisture content. In addition, moisturizers have to be applied immediately after a shower and not on dry skin.
Moisturizers that can be used are,
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Non-clogging oils such as avocado oil, primrose, or almond oil.
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Lotions contain humectants like glycerine, sorbitol, alpha hydroxy acid, hyaluronic acid, and ceramides.
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Lotions containing glycerine and petroleum jelly can be used for moisturizing the feet.
- Moisturizers that are rich in omega-3,6,9 fatty acids and cholesterol.
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Creams with niacinamide even the skin tone and improve the barrier function of the skin.
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Natural moisturizers like coconut oil, olive oil, buttermilk, and cucumber.
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Others are apple cider vinegar, shea butter, and argan oil.
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Sandalwood oil can be used on the face.
4) Apply Sunscreen: It is not a rule that sunscreen has to be applied only in summer. There is a necessity for sunscreen even in the winter. A broad-spectrum sunscreen can be applied 30 minutes before going out. Sunscreen should be applied not only on the face but also on the hands, legs, and feet, and for lips, lip balm should be applied.
5) Exfoliate the Skin: Exfoliate twice or thrice a week. Exfoliation removes the dry, dead skin built and allows the penetration of moisturizers. If a person over-exfoliates, it removes the natural oils from the skin and makes it feel dry and itchy.
Exfoliators that can be used are,
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Neem.
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Tulsi.
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Strawberry.
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Papaya.
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Light alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA) and beta-hydroxy acid (BHA).
6) Choose the Right Skin Care Products: Choose products wisely according to the skin type. For example, using oily lotion on a person with oily skin will clog the pores and lead to a breakout. Avoid the usage of peels, masks, and alcohol-based products. Use cleansing milk or mild foaming cleanser, toner with zero alcohol, and a deeply hydrating mask.
7) Consistent Skin Care: Choose better products that hydrate the skin and follow the routine of cleansing, toning, and using moisturizer and sunscreen.
8) Lukewarm Water Bath: As hot water can worsen the skin condition, instead of switching to cold water, using lukewarm water will be the best choice.
9) Reduce the Showering Time and Frequency: Overwashing the skin can lead to dryness, and also heat in the water dries the natural oil of the skin. Hence, five to ten minutes of shower is more than enough.
10) Wear Appropriate Clothes: Wearing the usual clothes that people wear for summer can also make their skin dry and itchy. So clothes have to be swapped according to the season. Wool, rough clothing on direct contact with the skin can cause irritation and itching. So wear cotton or silk clothing directly touching the skin and then pull on a warm sweater.
11) Wear Gloves: Our skin is thin on the hands and has fewer oil glands. To keep it moist, wearing gloves is a must to prevent the drying of the skin. But wet gloves should be avoided as they may cause itching, cracking, sores, and eczema. Use leather gloves if woolen gloves are itching.
12) Vibrating Brushes: Vibration helps drain the toxins and fluids that cause puffiness of the skin. These vibrating brushes clear the pores on the skin and allow penetration of anti-aging products.
13) Humidifiers: They aid in adding moisture to the air and prevent drying of the skin.
What Are the Home Remedies for Glowing Winter Skin?
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Aloe Vera: It is a great moisturizer and helps in acne control, and reduces wrinkles on the skin.
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Honey: It keeps bacteria away from the skin and boosts the glow of the skin
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Yogurt: It is a natural exfoliator that dissolves dead skin cells.
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Buttermilk: It also acts as an exfoliator and fades away dark spots.
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Egg: The fatty acid and water content in the egg acts as a moisturizer. The egg white tightens the pores on the skin.
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Slices of Potato: It helps in treating dry skin and reducing wrinkles and puffy eyes.
When to Consult a Doctor?
There are a lot of ways to keep the skin moist and glowing in winter. However, if it does not work and the skin condition worsens, seek help from a specialist. They will analyze the skin type, give a skincare regimen, and advise the person about the skincare products and what to use and what not to use.
What if Dry Skin Is Not Treated?
Untreated and dry skin can lead to:
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Infections: Severely dry skin usually has cracks that allow bacteria to enter deep into the skin layers.
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Eczema or Atopic Dermatitis: If people are already prone to eczema, dry skin can lead to rash and cracking.
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Itch-Scratch Cycle: Dry skin can lead to repeated scratching of the affected area. On persistent scratching, the area of the skin becomes thickened and later leads to lichen simplex chronicus.
Conclusion:
The lack of nourishment to the skin, both externally and internally, is the cause of dry, itchy, and parched skin. The skin care tips would help one to get rid of the harsh effects of winter and gives a brighter complexion. The healthy and glowing skin people dream of depends on the effort and time they spend to maintain it.
