Winters are just around the corner and when the weather gets colder and drier, your skin does too. If you already have a dry skin type then you will need help this winter to prevent it from getting drier and flaky.
Besides skin care, you also need to humidify the air and get skin treatments to keep the dryness at bay.
If you are looking for ways to not get flaky skin this winter then keep reading this article to know more.
Here we will discuss the tips that will keep you looking glowing and healthy rather than dull and dry.
What are the Signs of Dry Skin?
It is quite simple to recognize signs of dryness.
When your skin feels tight and taut in its normal state then it is probably drier than usual.
The medical term for this is known as xerosis. The symptoms of xerosis are as follows:
- There are flakes and scales on your skin all over the body but especially in the face, hands and feet.
- Moreover, it will have a rough texture as well as redness due to the roughness. Your skin will not feel smooth.
- Due to the roughness, the skin irritates and that leads to itching and cracks. These areas may also bleed if you do not take good care.
- However, when you start taking some care by applying a moisturizer or other skin care then you feel a strong stinging and burning sensation.
All these are signs of getting dryness.
Though, the severity of the dryness will differ across your body parts.
It also gets severe in winter compared to summer because of the lack of humidity and dryness in the air.
Hence, one of the ways to maintain healthy and glowing skin during winters is to humidify the air.
There are other ways too, to prepare you for the coming winter. Learn more about the tips below!
Dry Skin Tips Using Skincare
Sticking to a good skincare routine is the first step in combating dryness.
A single routine may not have the same effects year long with changing seasons.
Therefore, you need to make some changes according to the cold weather.
Changing Your Skin Care Products
Your skin retains its natural oils during summer and other months, while they strip away in winters.
Hence, you need to alter your routine so that it suits your skin’s current condition.
Starting up with cleaners. Rather than gel or foam, go for cream-based cleaners to provide extra nourishment to your skin.
Furthermore, do not use astringents and toners frequently. This is because it contains alcohol and fragrances.
These can further dry down your skin by stripping its natural oils.
Any irritating ingredient can exacerbate the dryness. Therefore, you should go for a fragrance-free soap, gel or cleanser.
Furthermore, it is better to reduce the application of soap around your body during colder months to prevent dryness.
Remember: Unscented soaps are not always fragrance-free hence look for the fragrance-free label instead.
Besides that, you should use thick moisture, especially at night. Another moisturizing product to add to your routine is a lip moisturizer preferably with SPF.
Your lips are bound to crack because of the dryness too. Hence chapped lips need a moisturizer, balm or overnight mask.
They heal the cracks and can smoothen your lips throughout the day and provide moisture during the night.
Also, switch to a simple routine of moisturizing and cleansing. After all, your moisture barrier should be strong enough for treatments such as serums and essences to work.
Thereby, first maintain your moisture barrier by using moisturizers and gentle cleansers, then add other treatments slowly.
Using Skincare
Extensive Moisturizing
Nothing beats dryness better than moisturization and hydration.
Thicker creams and ointments are better moisturizers in winters than lotions that can help smoothen your skin in summers.
Every time you wash your skin either taking a shower or washing your hands, it strips off your skin’s natural moisture and oils.
Hence, moisturizing is necessary every time your skin comes in contact with water.
Daily activities such as washing dishes and clothes or dusting the house can cause your hands to become drier than even your face.
A moisturizer does not only go on your face but also on your hands and feet and the rest of the body that is drier.
Hence, alongside a cream moisturizer for your face, add a hand cream to your routine too and possibly a foot cream as well.
Try Overnight Skincare Products
Skin treatments that you take overnight help to revitalize your skin and provide moisture while you are asleep.
Emollients are hydrating and moisturizing, however, it takes longer to absorb in the skin because of its thicker consistency.
Therefore, if you apply it before going to bed, there is enough time for it to work onto your face.
Overnight, the emollients are absorbed and there is enough time for it to work on revitalizing your skin’s moisture and oils.
Use a Sunscreen
This goes without saying, sunscreen for the face and body is essential in any weather.
Winters are not as sunny but that does not prevent the UV rays damage that you can get from the sun.
They can disturb your moisture barrier and hydration. So while it may be tempting to do so, you should not.
It can avoid signs of aging in the near future and keep your skin moisturized in cold days.
Therefore, whenever you step out always layer sunscreen of at least SPF 30 over your moisturizer.
Choose Chemical Exfoliators
Exfoliation is great for removing dead skin cells and clearing the flaky skin plus dry patches to smoothen your skin.
However, using a physical exfoliant such as a scrub can cause over-exfoliation.
They can cause damage by breaking down the moisture barrier. Hence, it is better to go for gentle chemical exfoliants and also exfoliate sparingly.
Also, exfoliation may irritate your already cracked skin further. Thus exfoliating lesser in winters is the way to go for smoother, supple skin.
Lifestyle Changes to Combat Dry Skin
Wear Comfortable Clothes
Your skin should not get in contact with irritating fabrics. Hence, you should wear loose clothes and be wary of any harsh material.
Wear comfortable fabrics unlike wool and rough material that are likely to make your skin drier.
The clothes that touch your body should be light and breathable. Over that, you can layer warmer wools.
Moreover, wear gloves to protect yourself from the cold air outside. It will not only help keep them warm but also prevent them from drying.
Back at home wash dishes wearing gloves too and also use detergents for sensitive skin to wash clothes.
Eating a Healthy Diet
Eating well and hydrating yourself from the inside is as important for the skin as hydration from products.
A lack of fluids can make your skin drier from the outside and dull down your appearance.
This not only affects your skin but also dries out your lips. Drinking 8 glasses of water is necessary regardless of the climate.
Furthermore, eating foods that contain omega 3 and 6 fatty acids as well as antioxidants can help clear the dryness.
These include fish oil, flaxseed oil.
Foods with these nutrients make healthier cells to replenish your skin and reduce environmental damage plus dryness.
Temperature and Humidity
It is cold outside so you will wish to take a hot water bath, however, that is not the most ideal for your skin.
Hot water can strip away oils from your skin more than lukewarm water.
Hence, no matter how cold it is, if you care about your skin then choose to bathe or shower in lukewarm water.
Also, limit your showers to only 5 to 10 minutes.
When you are done cleaning, it is time to dry your skin by softly patting it rather than rubbing it.
Patting helps to retain the moisture and hydrate your skin.
If you dry your hands in an air-dryer then use it enough that they are no longer damp and not completely dry.
You will also be using indoor heating or heaters inside your house to keep warm.
However, that will add to your dryness. Keep the temperatures between 68 to 72 degrees Fahrenheit. Though, you can also simply add a humidifier to moisten the air.
The moisture in the air from the humidifier reduces the dryness and acts as a moisturizing agent.
Place it in the rooms that you are likely to spend your most time in.
A setting of 60 percent is ideal to provide moisture in the skin’s topmost layer.
Finally
Following these lifestyle changes and skincare changes will help you combat dryness in winters.
However, if your situation is worse and your skin bleeds because of the flakes and cracks, then visit your doctor soon.
They can also recommend you skin brightening and moisturizing skin treatments that can give you a smoother, supple and plump face.
Treatments like a Hydrafacial and Plasma can replenish collagen in the body and that can reduce dryness by making skin smoother.
Though, constant moisturizing will help keep the dryness sin cold winters at bay. The moisturization aids in making the skin softer.
Hence, people with dry skin should keep up with a minimal skin routine in winters and take care of their skin by following these measures rigorously.
If you follow these tips, then this winter will surely be better for your skin than the past ones. Keep it soft, clear, hydrated, moisturized and glowing all the time.
