Simple Skincare Routine For Winter

 

December is here and so is winter. And we all know winter means holiday & wedding season. We all want to look & feel our best selves and flaunt our glowing skin. Winter is also about different styles.

No doubt Winter has its own charm. But have you ever realized the havoc it could wreak on your skin? The cold air robs the natural moisture from your skin, leaving it dry and itchy. It can even cause severe dry & flaky skin, dullness & itchiness. That’s why you need to take care of it.

You must make the necessary changes in your skincare routine to fight the harsh weather. 

There are many simple ways to combat the causes of dry winter skin and help keep your skin feeling moist and supple all season long, including some easy changes to your everyday skincare routine and choosing your skincare products correctly. 

Show yourself some self-love and follow this simple winter skincare routine to love the skin you’re in.

Simple Skincare Routine For Winter:

Cleanse

-Choose cleansers that contain moisturizers to avoid stripping your skin of its natural moisture barrier. During the winter months, choose cream-based cleansers.

-Avoid cleansers that contain fragrance and alcohol. Because these tend to dry out your skin even more.

-In winter skin naturally produces less oil so say bye-bye to foaming cleansers. 

-And if you have very dry skin look for oil cleansers and cleansing balms.

Tone

-Choose hydrating toners in winters. Look for toners that contain Glycerine. 

-Avoid using astringents. Many astringents contain alcohol, which can further dry your skin. 

-When your skin is dry and itchy look for alcohol-free toners. You can also opt for rose water as a toner.

– Check this for some homemade toner recipes.

 

Moisturise

‘Hydrated skin looks better’

 

-Your skin loses moisture very easily in winter. Use a good moisturizer immediately after a warm shower to seal the moisture in. Always apply a moisturizer on damp skin so that the moisturizer is absorbed easily by your skin.

-Apply a hydrating mask once or twice a week to save your parched skin. Swap your light moisturizer for something that is richer in texture and deeply nourishing.

-If you have acne or breakouts, use products containing ceramides, hyaluronic acid, hydration serums, and glycerin to help in repairing the moisture barrier of your skin. 

-Make sure you are using hyaluronic acid moisturizer on damp skin to get that glow.

-Nighttime is when your skin repairs itself. Invest in a good nourishing night cream according to your skin concern. Whether it is pigment reduction or anti-aging or dark spot correcting benefit that you are looking for.

-And don’t forget your lips. Applying a moisturizing balm that can help heal dry, cracked lips, and keep them from getting chapped. Exfoliate your lips more frequently.

-If you have oily or acne-prone skin, do not apply petroleum jelly on your face no matter how tempting it is in winters.

-These are some of the ways you can hydrate your skin.

Protect

-You need to protect your skin from the cold wind or snow if you are stepping out in winter. So, wear gloves and caps and do not forget your sunscreen lotion.

-The warm sun rays feel pleasant, but the UV rays can still damage your skin a lot. Exposure to UV rays not only aggravate pigmentation but also prematurely age your skin.

-So before you go outside, apply a moisturizing, broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher to all exposed areas of your body. Here’s is the guide to best sunscreen available in India.

 

Exfoliate

-No matter how many serums and creams are applied, dry skin will stay dry without some light exfoliation. You can choose physical or chemical exfoliation depending on your preference.

-Key benefit of exfoliating your skin regularly is that serums and moisturizers can penetrate deep and really get to work.

-If you have oily skin exfoliating twice a week is fine.

-And if you have very dry skin, exfoliate once a week.

 

Exercise 

-Yes! 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. 

-During the winter, the oil and sweat glands in your body and the blood vessels constrict a bit. This makes it hard for your skin to keep itself healthy and glowing naturally, and that’s why it needs your help.

-Exercise is the key to radiant skin. Sweating removes toxins from your body. The more you work out and sweat, the more you can see your skin gain a natural glow. After all “Glowing skin is always in”.

-If you are not into heavy exercises and just starting out, I highly recommend you to include Yoga practices in your daily routine.

-You can also include jade rollers and gua sha stones in your skincare regime.

-Facial massages not only help in increasing blood circulation on the face but will also eliminate the puffiness on the face.

Remember  ‘Beautiful skin requires a commitment and not a miracle’.

So apart from this simple skincare routine here are some quick tips to keep your skin healthy and glowing all through winter. These tips are not difficult to follow, and you can easily include them in your daily routine.

Tips For a Good Skin This Winter:

• Use Lukewarm Water

It is very tempting to go for hot showers when the temperature is dipping. But if you love your skin, avoid them. Instead, use lukewarm water to shower and wash your face. Hot showers dry your skin quickly, and if you do not moisturize it immediately, your skin can develop cracks and winter eczema. Once you have taken a lukewarm shower, apply a moisturizer that contains hyaluronic acid and ceramides. This will keep the moisture barrier intact and prevent dryness.

 

• Stay Hydrated

  

Do not miss out on your water intake. You might not feel as thirsty because you are not sweating. Lack of water intake immediately reflects on your skin. It can make your skin look dull and dehydrated.

 

• Don’t Forget The Hands And Feet

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 Anything That Irritates The Skin

Many cold-weather fabrics can aggravate dry winter skin. Wear light layers made from soft, breathable materials directly against your skin, and then pull on your heavier, warmer sweaters.

 

• Get your beauty sleep

Do you know why cats are so elegant, cute, and beautiful? Because they sleep for 16 hours a day on average. Okay jokes apart, but we all know sleep plays an important role in balancing our overall health. 

So go get some good sleep, who doesn’t love to sleep swaddled in a blanket! Make the most of it and you will avoid dark circles and a hoard of other stress-related skin disorders.

 

• Take Care Of Your Diet

Your skin reflects what you eat. Winters tend to make you hungry. Reach out for dried fruit and nuts when you feel like snacking. Eat home-cooked food as much as possible. Do not forget to include the green leafy vegetables, fruits, and millets which will keep your body warm and healthy through winter. If you have elderly people in your house, read this to find out how you can take care of their diet!

And if you are like me, all about Organic food, do check this out.

Winter is a great time to pamper your skin. Let your skin be it’s dewy best by following the right skincare and making the right lifestyle choices. 

 

And do not forget “Be good to your skin; you’ll wear it every day, for the rest of your life”.

 

Happy Winter!