Winter skincare routine: Essential tips to ensure healthy skin

Most of us follow the same skincare routine throughout the year. However, cold weather can dry the skin and some skin products like retinol can lead to increased skin dryness

Updated On: 2023-12-04 04:48 PM IST

Compiled by : Aakanksha Ahire

Dermatologists Dr Shefali Trasi and Dr Reshma Vishnani share skincare essentials for winter. Photo Courtesy: iSock

Have a bath with lukewarm water. Avoid hot water baths. It can rob your skin of moisture making it prone to dermatitis. Avoid toners as they can also dehydrate the skin.  

Avoid using glycerine-based soaps. Rather use shower gels or neutral pH skin-friendly soaps called syndets. Further, any skincare products containing retinol, salicylic acids, or benzoyl peroxides should be replaced with other products. 

Never exfoliate your face or body with scrubs or natural face packs in dry cold weather. Doing this can cause redness and exacerbate itching. Discontinue tomato or lemon application on the face which can worsen the skin issues more. Use masks containing hyaluronic acid, vitamin C or vitamin E. These hydrate the skin and give a good glow.

After having a bath, pat dry your body and lather a generous amount of moisturiser.  After applying moisturiser, apply sunscreen during the day. At night, you can apply hyaluronic acid serum, followed by a round of moisturising.   

You can also indulge yourself in a 30-minute oil massage prior to the bath followed by a mild cleanser for wash and then a moisturiser. 

Using hand and foot cream containing four to 10 per cent urea can prevent rough and cracked hands and feet. Before applying the creams, one can dip the feet in warm water and then cover them with socks.  

Oil the hair regularly to hydrate and prevent it from breakage. Apply nail oil or moisturiser to hydrate the nail cuticles. 

Avoid contact with wet hair with cold winds as it can cause hair breakage and hair fall. Also, do not use curling machines and tongs as they damage the hair cuticle.  

Make sure to lather lip balms generously and reapply them from time to time. Regular use of lip balm is compulsory to prevent dry chapped lips. Opt for a lip balm containing SPF to ensure maximum lip hydration.  

Use a good eye contour cream containing ceramides and growth factors to hydrate the skin and prevent fine lines and wrinkles around the eye.  

Photos Courtesy: iStock

Read more about winter skincare here

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