While winter has its own charm with warm beverages, sparkling snow sights, jingle bells around, it also brings with itself a harsh weather, which particularly wreaks havoc on your skin. While we always try to zero in on a perfect routine for our skin, we tend to miss out few essential pointers.
Apart from hydrating yourself properly (2-3 liters of water per day!) and exercising regularly, take care of the following:
Hot Water is your Enemy
Hot showers dry your skin quickly, and if you do not moisturize it immediately, your skin can develop cracks and winter eczema. Always use lukewarm water in your shower and post the same immediately use a good body oil to seal skin’s moisture inside.
Change Your Moisturizer To A Heavier One
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, shift to a heavy, cream-based moisturizer or a good face oil. This will prevent skin irritation and soothe your skin.
Buff Your Skin
Exfoliating your skin helps in boosting skin regeneration and better product absorption, which is much needed in winters due to higher accumulation of dead skin cells. However, one should exfoliate depending on your skin type. If you have very dry or sensitive skin, exfoliate your skin lightly.
Avoid exfoliators, masks, peels, astringent lotions, and any product that contains alcohol as they make your skin dry during the winter.
Eat Healthy Fats and Food
It is important to maintain a healthy diet to maintain water content and boost sebum production in the body. Consuming foods rich in Vitamin E, A and C and healthy fats can maintain good skin health.
Some winter fruits rich in these are – Gooseberry, Papaya, Avocado, Pineapple, Banana, Fresh Greens, etc.
Replenish Your Skin At Night
If you wish to see a healthy skin, you must not forget to replenish it at night when you are resting for about 7-8 hours. Indulge in deep moisturizing with oils before you sleep so you can wake up with a beautifully supple skin.
Take Your Essential Oils Out of Your Cabinet
While essential oils are best all year long, they have multiple benefits in winter for your mind, mood and body. Like, Eucalyptus oil is a boon for anyone who falls sick often during winters. It can be used to get rid of cold and congestion (add to your steamer) and muscle relaxation (add to your hot bath). Lavender oil can be added to your hair mask to curb that winter hairfall. Rosemary helps to get rid of flaky scalp (and dandruff) during winters.