Skin care in winter - 10 important tips

Some small tweaks to your daily skincare routine can work wonders and help keep your skin looking youthful and beautiful all winter long. Here are 10 effective winter skincare tips you need to follow to keep your skin healthy and radiant.

1. Moisturise, moisturise and moisturise
   

The best way to keep your skin nourished is to keep it well moisturised. Invest in a good oil-based moisturiser, which can seal the water inside your skin and prevent it from drying out. Try to use hypoallergenic lotions that are skin-friendly and do not contain any strong perfumes, glitters.

2. Keep your skin well moisturised

Well-moisturised skin is fresh, soft and supple. While it's always important to keep your body hydrated, this becomes even more important in winter as the skin constantly loses moisture and can become dry, flaky and chapped. So try to drink at least 6-8 glasses of water a day to stay hydrated.

3. Limit shower time and temperature

While hot showers are a tempting option to stave off the winter chills, prolonged exposure to higher water temperatures can rob your skin of essential moisture, leaving it red, dry and irritated. Therefore, always choose lukewarm water over hot showers and limit your bath time to no more than 15 minutes.

4. Humidify your home
   

A humidifier works wonders in the home, especially in winter when heating systems try to steal moisture from the air. So invest in a good humidifier to add moisture back into the dry winter air and help keep your skin hydrated and soft.

5. Modify your facial skincare plan

Your facial skin is most susceptible to the harsh winters and is subject to constant wear and tear from the dry air. Therefore, to prevent winter skin problems, choose a winter skincare routine:

• Use fragrance-free, moisturising cleansers or face gels
• Limit foaming soap to only essential areas such as hands, armpits, genitals and feet
• Apply toners and astringents sparingly
• Use a rich moisturiser at night
• Apply moisturising balm to your lips to prevent chapping
• Always consult a dermatologist if your skin is too dry and itchy

Whether the sun is shining or not, never forget to apply sun cream before you leave the house. Always choose a sunscreen with SPF 15 or higher. Sunscreen is especially important during snowfall, as snow can reflect the glare of the sun.

7. Wear comfortable, non-irritating clothing

Wool is a potential allergen and can cause skin problems such as eczema, dermatitis and psoriasis. So, if you have sensitive skin or any skin disorder, it is best to avoid irritating fabrics and detergents laden with chemicals that can lead to potential skin problems.

8. Eat well

It's easy to switch to unhealthy foods in winter. To maintain healthy, radiant skin, you must always choose your food wisely. Eat seasonal foods that are high in water content and can help you stay well hydrated. Opt for fruits and vegetables such as orange, apple, kiwi, celery, cucumbers, tomatoes, courgettes and carrots, and eat fish and flaxseed to give your skin the right mix of essential nutrients that can make it smooth and supple.

9. Never ignore skin problems

Is your skin too dry or too flaky? Does it itch all the time? Have cracks appeared on your skin that sometimes bleed too? Well, winter is the time for potential skin problems such as dermatitis and psoriasis. Ignoring a skin problem can lead to more infections and health problems. So if you're struggling with dry, flaky skin that itches all the time, it's best to seek professional medical advice.

Your dermatologist can perform a thorough skin analysis and diagnostic tests to identify the underlying cause of the problem and can treat it medically.

10. Schedule regular visits to your dermatologist

Staying in regular contact with your dermatologist or primary care physician can help you easily assess an impending disease or skin problem that may worsen during the winter. Your doctor can also help you effectively treat a variety of skin problems, such as damaged, dry, itchy and flaky skin, to help you enjoy skin that is healthy on the outside.