Dr. Sunil Kumar Prabhu, Consultant dermatologist and Aesthetic Physician, Aster RV Hospital, Bangalore
Winter is rough on the skin — the cold air outside and the heated air inside both pull moisture from your skin, leaving it flaky, itchy, and showing those annoying white dry patches. But do not lose heart; it is just the right way of taking care of the skin and developing few smart habits that will allow you to retain soft, supple and healthy skin even during the harshest winters. Some things that you should follow are:
Moisturizer with a higher thickness to be applied — gels won’t be effective in winters
The light lotions and gel moisturizers simply evaporate too fast in dry air. Your skin actually requires a product with more richness and cream base. Look for the ingredients like shea butter, ceramides, glycerin, hyaluronic acid and squalane. These trap moisture and also boost your skin barrier. Imagine it as giving a warmer coat to your skin.
Apply moisturizer after bath
This one trivial action can completely turn around the situation. With the minute you come out of the shower, your skin will lose moisture. However, if you apply moisturizer on wet skin within 2-3 mins, you will not only hold the moisture that is already there but also keep those dray patches from appearing.
Reduce the number of hot showers
Hot water is very pleasant in winter but at the same time it takes along with it your skin’s natural oils. Instead, use lukewarm water and confine showers to be 10 to 12 minutes long. If your skin turns red or feels tight after bathing, then the water temperature was probably too hot.
Gentle, creamy cleanser is a must
Cleansing agents that foam or are too strong can strip away the necessary oils and make the situation of dryness worse. In winter, use mild, fragrance-free soaps — the ones that feel creamy, not squeaky-clean. Your skin should not feel “tight” after washing; it should feel calm and normal.
Humidify your home
The use of indoor heating significantly reduces the levels of humidity. Not only is your skin affected by this, but also your lips, nostrils,and even eyes. A humidifier placed in your bedroom can be a great help. If you are against buying one, putting a bowl of water by the radiators will also promote humidity in the air (which is less effective but still helpful).
When going outside, make sure your skin is protected
Skin loses moisture primarily because of the cold winds. A scarf or a mask would be helpful when it’s cold outside and it is even more so if your skin is sensitive. Then again, lip balm and facial moisturizer should be applied before going out and not the other way around.
Exfoliation is a process that should be performed carefully but on a regular basis.
The exfoliation of the skin removes the dead cells and therefore, dry areas become less visible and at the same time they become more receptive to the moisturizing treatment. However, just a little bit of exfoliation is needed – once a week will suffice. Gentle chemical exfoliants like lactic acid or very soft physical scrubs are excellent choices. The skin’s condition will worsen if the person scrubs too hard.
Focus on barrier-boosting ingredients
Ceramides, niacinamide and hyaluronic acid are the main ingredients for winter skin care routines. They make your skin repair and moisture keeping capacity better over time. Even a simple use of a ceramide cream twice a day can significantly diminish dry white patches.
Winter dryness can be perfectly dealt with by adopting the right habits. Take care of your skin barrier, apply moisturizing products regularly and refrain from using strong products. Also, incorporate urine and water treatment at home as your daily practice to draw moisture into your skin. Just a little bit of care done regularly will keep those white dry patches defeated and your skin radiant during the winter months.
