Winter Skin Care – The Do’s and Don’ts

The cold weather months can greatly compromise skin health, triggering such conditions as xerosis (dry skin) or eczema (itchy, dry, reddish patches or lesions on the skin) which can vary in severity. Here are the Do’s and Don’ts for the perfect Glowing Winter Skin.

Skin health is important not only for appearance’s sake, but more importantly because skin performs so many of the body’s essential tasks. Among other things, it protects the body from the many viruses and bacteria that a person is exposed to daily. It also protects against the sun’s deadly ultraviolet rays that can damage cells. Healthy skin also helps a person react better to important changes around them by feeling pain or pressure.

Cold weather aggravates dry skin in winter. Make sure to use the best Products for winter to avoid dryness. As the temperature and humidity levels are lower during this season, the products you use in summer might not work. Thus, it is essential to use the right skin care products.

Do’s and Don’ts for a Healthy Glowing Skin This Winter

The Do’s for a Healthy Glowing Winter Skin

Get a Mild Cleanser – You may have to change your cleanser during the winter months, if it is making your face feel dry and tight after a wash. You require a milder, more moisturizing and weakly acidic cleanser that won’t dry out your skin, besides balances your skin’s pH levels.
The products you use during the sultry summer months may not work for your skin during the winter season. If you generally use a lotion or gel. This will prevent skin irritation and soothe your skin.
Use a humidifier to add moisture to closed spaces. This will help your skin retain moisture naturally.
Exfoliate two to three times a week. Doing this gently in circular motions will help increase blood flow to your skin.
Your diet may play a role as well: Avoiding processed foods and sugars, and eating whole foods that are rich in essential vitamins, minerals, and fatty acids will keep the body and skin healthy. Eat a healthy and nutritious diet filled with vegetables and fruits to keep your skin radiant. Salads and fruit juices also help in getting rid of the toxins in the body. This doesn’t just mean eating foods that are filled with vitamins and lean proteins. Your body also needs its fair share of carbohydrates and essential fatty acids. Fats are important to maintain its natural oil barrier and elasticity. In addition, these nutrients give your skin the essential supplies it needs to stay healthy and look radiant. So, make sure that you eat a healthy and nutritious diet filled with vegetables, fruits, meats, dairy products, and more. You can also supplement with fruit juices, as they help in getting rid of the toxins in the
I know it’s hard to leave the warmth and coziness of the blanket behind and get moving on a chilly winter morning. But do it if you love your skin. Exercise will pump up your heart rate, which in turn, pumps more blood to your organs and skin.
The skin on your hands has fewer oil glands as compared to the skin on any other body part. That’s why moisture escapes from your hands quickly, making them prone to cracks and itchiness. Apply a moisturizer before you go out.
Choose glycerin-based creams and petroleum jelly to moisturize your feet. Also, make sure you exfoliate the skin on your feet occasionally so that it can absorb the moisturizer easily.
Avoid licking your lips as this will dry them out further. Use a good Lip balm and apply it several times during the day. This will prevent dry and chapped lips in winter.
Use a moisturizing hand soap to help counteract the drying effects of soap. Avoid washing hands with lukewarm water instead of very hot water. Use a moisturizing hand cream to avoid dry hands.
To prevent the damage, apply a vitamin C formula as a first layer in the morning, before layering on heavier products.
Be sure to toss any face washes with drying ingredients, like fragrances or additives, in favor of those with formulated chamomile or oatmeal.
Avoid extreme cold. Cold temperatures can cause skin disorders or frostbite in some people. See a doctor immediately if you develop color changes in your hands or feet accompanied by pain or ulceration. If you develop extreme pain followed by loss of sensation in a finger or toe, you may have frostbite.
Take vitamin D supplements. During the summer, your natural vitamin D production increases as a result of daily sun exposure, but when winter rolls around that exposure decreases. Taking vitamin supplements can ensure that you get the recommended amounts of vitamin D all year round. . Many cold-weather fabrics can aggravate dry winter skin. “Keep wool and rough clothing from directly touching your skin,” Stein Gold says. “This can cause dry skin to get irritated and itchy.” Instead, wear light layers made from soft, breathable materials (like cotton or silk) directly against your skin. After that, pull on your heavier, warmer sweaters.

The Don’ts for A Healthy Glowing Winter Skin

Bathing in the hot shower for too long can remove essential oils from your skin. Most doctors advise keeping the temperature below 43 Degrees Celsius. If your skin turns red while you bathe, it is recommended to bring the temperature down.
Products with irritants or harsh chemicals trigger flare-ups. Avoid using products with harsh soaps, sulfates and parabens in them
Although it sounds contradictory, washing your face too often can further dehydrate your skin. Don’t cleanse more than twice a day.
Instead, choose oils and creams for your skin-care routine, and consider applying a moisturizer on top of your toner if the latter is causing dryness, Wesley says.
Do not wear wet clothes for too long This will irritate your skin further and cause itchiness. Walking and playing in the snow is fine, but make sure you remove the wet socks, pants, and gloves as soon as possible.
Too much sugar in the diet increases the effects of aging and can also lead to skin conditions like acne. It also binds to the collagen and promotes inflammation making your skin dry and rough. Hence, cut back on sugar to keep your skin flawless always.
Don’t let the cold winds keep you at home all the time. It is essential to go out in the open and walk or jog it out. Fight the urge to stay under a blanket and maintain a fit lifestyle while incorporating healthy nutrients and adequate water into your diet to have healthy skin during the winter months.
Don’t use home remedies on skin issues as you might not always have all the information with you. In case your skin issues don’t go away after different methods of trial and error, consult our professionals to understand the correct skin treatment for you.
Do Not Exfoliate Your Skin A Lot You have to be careful during winters because your skin barrier is already compromised due to the dry and cold weather. Also, you should exfoliate depending on your skin type. If you have very dry skin, exfoliate your skin lightly. If you have combination and oily skin, once a week is fine.

Even More Suggestions/Tips

Use hydrating serums rich with Vitamin C and Vitamin A along with moisturizers to keep the dewy look intact. Vitamin C hydrating serums help boost the production of collagen and protect it from pollution and Vitamin A helps with its anti-ageing properties. Moisturizer will prevent the skin from drying.
Facial oils can be a lifesaver when it comes to winter skin care. They help lock in the hydration. Evening Primrose oil, lavender oil and coconut oils are excellent choices to prevent the skin from drying
Apply sunscreen: This is very important. No matter how foggy it is outside; don’t step out without applying the sunscreen. Choose a sunscreen with contents like titanium dioxide and zinc oxide.
A recurring facial can keep your skin hydrated and radiant for long. You can visit a salon every 15 days for a nourishing facial and give your skin the pampering session that it deserves.
Dry body brushing is a technique that helps improve the overall health and well-being of not just your skin but also your body. It not only exfoliates your skin but also detoxifies your body. In fact, it is the best alternative to scrubbing. Dry-brush your entire body for the first five to seven minutes before showering.
Salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide are commonly used to treat acne. However, these treatments can be a little harsh on your skin in the winter months. If at all you notice that the treatments that once worked wonders are making your skin flaky in winters, then it’s time you modify your winter skincare routine to suit your skin’s needs. Switch from benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid to gentle moisturizers to prevent dryness. Keep a safe distance from harsh acne treatments as much as you can in cold weather conditions.
Your most trusted products may not work so well in winters. With the changing seasons, your skin’s needs change too. And it is, therefore, important to make skincare swaps wisely. Firstly, swap gel or foaming cleansers with gentle cream cleansers. They won’t strip your skin of natural oils. Secondly, ditch lightweight moisturizers for a richer body lotion which will keep your skin nourished throughout the day. Thirdly, say no to astringents and yes to toners. Astringents tighten pores and dry out excess oil, whereas toners reduce dryness, remove traces of impurities and nourish the skin.
And lastly, swap physical exfoliants with chemical exfoliants. Physical exfoliants contain granules which can irritate the skin, whereas, chemical exfoliants are formulated with AHA, BHA or enzymes that work by gently dissolving the top layer of dead skin.
Make sure you remove the wet socks, pants, and gloves as soon as possible. This will irritate your skin further and cause itchiness.
Consume a lot of seasonal fruits and veggies. Berries are exceptional sources of vitamins and antioxidants that your skin needs to stay healthy during the cold weather. Strawberries, grapes, blueberries, raspberries, or cherries – pick anything you love. Also, if you think that you are missing out on the hydration part (limited water intake), you can cover that up with fruits, veggies, and other food items such as soups, salads, juices, and milk. In this way, your body will get the nutrients to keep the skin healthy. . Sleep is far more than a luxury. It’s a biological necessity that keeps your organs (including the skin) functioning properly. Your immune system uses sleep time to recharge and go on the attack, making sleep an imperative part of healing and fighting off infection. Adults need seven to nine hours of sleep on average. You can strengthen your sleep patterns (and get better sleep) by keeping a regular schedule of going to bed and waking up at the same time every day.