Skin health is crucial for numerous reasons, the primary among them being that the skin carries out a large number of the body’s vital functions. It shields the body from the numerous viruses and germs to which an individual is exposed on a regular basis. Additionally, it shields the body from the sun’s harmful UV rays, which can harm cells. By sensing pressure or pain, healthy skin also enables a person to respond more effectively to significant changes in their environment. The onset of some skin disorders during the colder months can significantly worsen skin health.
Winter is our favourite season because of the holidays, warm sweaters, and hot chocolate, but we dislike how the chillier weather makes our skin feel. Our skin appears to transform from hydrated and plump to dry and damaged overnight. Aside from being drowsy and lethargic all day, taking care of our skin is the most crucial thing to do in the winter. Wintertime is a critical time for skincare since the skin can deteriorate significantly. It only takes a few easy adjustments to your regular skincare regimen to guarantee that you will look radiant throughout the entire winter.
Here are a few tips on modifying your skincare regimen for the colder months.
Wash Your Face With A Gentle Cleanser
It’s crucial to wash your face with a gentle cleanser since it keeps your skin moisturised and helps to clean it. It’s recommended to avoid washing your face too frequently in the winter because this will remove natural oils and dry up your skin. Soaps should not be used on the skin since they might be very abrasive.
Apply Moisturiser Immediately After Cleansing
Our skin loses its natural oils after washing, which are essential for retaining hydration. As a result, it’s critical to swap out the natural oils for a superior moisturiser. You can always have a moisturiser in your travel bag to provide moisture to your skin as needed.
Drink Plenty Of Water
Getting plenty of water into your diet is another strategy to help keep your skin hydrated. Making sure you’re hydrated from the inside out will protect your skin from the decrease in external moisture levels. Warm water with a lemon slice or detoxifying herb teas make excellent substitutes for coffee or hot chocolate throughout the winter months if the idea of drinking a glass of cold water deters you. Take teas with ginger or licorice to help the digestive system and tea with burdock and dandelion to support the health of the kidneys and liver. Additionally, a wide variety of foods can support proper hydration. Make sure your diet includes vegetables and fruits like apples, melons, tomatoes, and cucumbers. By incorporating these zinc-rich, skin-boosting nutrients into your meals on a daily basis, you’ll also gain the extra advantage of stimulating the formation of collagen and elastin.
Avoid Hot Showers
While taking a hot shower in the winter might be quite soothing, it can also have a negative impact on your skin. In the winter, hot showers are known to dry up your skin quickly, making eczema and cracks more likely. You can switch to lukewarm water, which is kinder to the skin and takes longer to dry. Apply hyaluronic acid and ceramide-containing moisturisers right away after taking a lukewarm shower.
Do Not Exfoliate A Lot
Dead cells can be removed from the skin with the help of exfoliation. Because of the dry, cold weather, your skin barrier is already weakened throughout the winter, so you need to exercise caution. It’s okay to exfoliate your skin once a week as this promotes improved product absorption and skin regeneration. Additionally, you should exfoliate your skin in accordance with its type. Lightly exfoliate your skin if it is too dry. Once a week is sufficient if you have oily and mixed skin.
Humidify
Your car and home heaters are extremely dry and dehydrating. Installing a humidifier in your house will replenish the moisture in the air, especially in your bedroom, and keep your skin from drying out in the winter.
Do Not Skip Sunscreen
Sunscreen is a year-round must for any skin care routine. Oily skin is best suited for sunscreens with a water basis. A sunscreen with a gel basis will clog pores and make outbreaks more common. Sunscreen should be worn whenever you leave the house. Your skin is still susceptible to UV damage throughout the winter months. Due to the drying effect of the sun on the skin, sun damage not only raises the risk of premature wrinkling and skin cancer but also increases the production of sebum even during the winter. Sunscreens high in vitamin E are great for oily skin types.
Change Your Skincare Routine
It is recommended to modify your skincare regimen if you have sensitive skin that is prone to dryness or rough spots. Replace all skincare products that include a lot of alcohol, scent, or other harsh ingredients. Try to avoid purchasing anything that could irritate your skin in any manner and stick to a basic skincare regimen. Invest in skin-friendly and gentle products.
Don’t Forget Your Hands, Feet, And Lips
There are fewer oil glands on the skin of your hands than in any other area of your body. Your hands lose moisture fast because of this, which makes them more prone to cracking and itching. Prior to leaving outside, apply a moisturiser. For foot hydration, opt for petroleum jelly and lotions with glycerin as an ingredient. Moreover, remember to periodically exfoliate your feet’s skin to facilitate easier absorption of the moisturiser. If your chapped lips are exposed to freezing temperatures, they may split and become infected. Take care of them. To protect your lips, use a moisturising lip balm with SPF.
Wear Comfortable Clothes
Many times, the clothing we wear exacerbates existing skin irritations. It’s crucial to dress in skin-friendly fabrics, particularly in the winter. To ensure that your skin is not irritated by sweaters, wear breathable clothing made of soft fabrics, such as cotton.
Conclusion
Winter skincare is crucial, but much more so than regular skincare, what matters is doing it correctly and with the appropriate products. A skincare regimen that benefits one individual is unlikely to benefit another. For this reason, it’s imperative to go to a skin clinic in Kochi that offers personalised treatments for every patient. The experienced staff members there are able to accurately suggest the best course of action for you.