The true essence of warmth can be enjoyed only in winters, be it the hot cup of morning coffee or tea or the extra sleeping hour under the warm blanket. Everything seems so comforting in winters but the drawback of cold weather is that it affects your skin very harshly. Chapped lips, dry skin and cracked heels becomes a part of your life in winters but these things can be preventable by giving some extra care of your skin.
Here are some skincare tips you should try to get a soft and healthy skin:
Choose a cleanser for your skin type
Skin cleansing in summers and winters are different because the cold weather makes your skin more dry therefore you have to select the cleanser for your skin wisely. Natural cleansers are the safest option as it won’t harm your skin and takes care of all ski types. A cleanser containing aloevera, cactus and lemon extracts is suitable for normal to dry skin. It has moisturizing and healing properties and its antioxidants helps in slowing down aging process, cell regeneration and remove dead skin cells. Thus, it gives you a supple and soft texture to your skin.
Keep your skin moisturized
Dry skin is the common problem in winters which can be prevented only by moisturizing. Your skin care regime changes with the change in weather and therefore you have change our moisturizer as well. Try to use an oil based ointment moisturizer instead of water based as the oil creates a protective layer which retains more moisture than any cream or lotion. While choosing the oil, try to avoid the skin clogging oils like Shea oil or butter. You should use the non clogging oils like avocado oil, argan oil, primrose oil, or almond oil for skin care. You can also use lotion containing humectants like glycerine, sorbitol, and alpha-hydroxy acids to moisturize your skin. Use a lip balm for the chapped skin of your lips or you can rub milk cream to keep it soft and supple.
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Protect your skin from sun
Your skin can welcome the sun during winters but it doesn’t mean that sun will not harm it even it is not shining brighter. You must protect your skin in winters too by using broad spectrum sunscreen (minimum sun protection of SPF 30 or more). Apply it 30 minutes before stepping out and then reapply it on every two hours. Use sunglasses to protect your eyes from UV rays and snow glare which can reflect the sunlight. You should wear protective clothing and accessories to protect your skin from cold and direct sunlight.
Extra care for your hands and feet
Hands have thinner skin and fewer oil glands as compared to other parts of the body therefore It tend to lose more moisture which can cause cracking of skin and itchiness. Apply moisturizer on your hands after bathing, cleaning or washing clothes. You can also use home remedies like scrubbing hands with mixture of sugar and lemon juice to soften the skin of our hands. You can use a cotton glove while stepping out if your skin is allergic to wool.
Feet are also get badly affected by the cold weather and the skin got painful cracks which can bleed in severe cases. You can avoid this condition by simple home remedy. Soak your feet in warm water for 15 minutes at night and scrub them with a pumice stone. Dry them well with a soft towel and apply moisturizing cream which sinks into your skin faster and deeper e.g. apricot cream. Cover them by wearing socks or tie gauze around the heels and leave it like that for overnight. Do it daily for soft and healthy heels.
Use good quality humidifier
The indoor heating system can make the air dry causing skin dryness and some respiratory problems like blocked nose. You can use humidifiers which will bring moisture in air and prevent skin and breathing problems in your house. You can install small humidifiers at different places in your home to disperse moisture evenly into the space.
Keep your body hydrated
We tend to drink less water in winters as we become less thirsty in this weather but drinking water doesn’t cause any harm to the body. In fact, it keeps your body hydrated and skin moisturized from inside.
Treat severe dry skin
Some people face severe dryness of skin during winters. If you are one of them then you must avoid alcohol-based toners or astringents, peels, face masks etc. You can use cleansing milk, non alcoholic toner, mild foam based cleanser to cleanse your face but use them less often.
Avoid hot water bath
We are not suggesting you to bath with chilled water but try to avoid burning hot water which can feel soothing during bath but it harms the skin by breaking the lipid barrier of skin leading to loss of moisture. You can use lukewarm water with oatmeal or baking soda to take care of extra dry skin.
If the skin problem like dryness persists after taking all the precautions and skincare then you should immediately see a dermatologist for a specific prescription and to get your skin problem tested for the underlying cause. If you will remain conscious and active about your health then you will face less health problems. So, live healthy and stay safe!!