Winter skincare tips: 6 essentials habits to prevent dryness in cold weather

Winter skincare is essential to avoid dryness. Here are few essential steps to follow and reduce effect of air pollution and winter on skin.

Winter is here and so are the entailing issues like dryness. Winter dryness, chapped lips, are something that we all experience at one point or another during the cold weather. While there is no evading, there are definitely ways to prevent dryness. With Delhi-NCR grappling with the burning issue of air pollution, the skin is affected severely. Winter pollution isa deadly combination to combat. But, few basic and simple habits can help prevent the issues.

6 Winter Skincare Tips to Prevent Dryness

1. Golden rule of hydration: Winter air (and even air conditioners and heaters) have a tendency to dry out our skin. The moisturiser that was working for you in summers may probably be insufficient in winters. Speaking exclusively with India.com, By Dr. Agni Bose, Consultant Dermatologist and Dermatosurgeon, divulged into the details about what and why these habits are needed. Dr Bose explained that either increase the frequency of application of your existing moisturiser or switch to a thicker, cream-based moisturiser to lock in hydration. Ingredients like hyaluronic acid, ceramides, shea butter, cocoa butter and glycerin work very well. Keep in mind, ingredients like glycerin are humectants – they don’t hydrate by themselves. It is important to apply them over damp skin after a bath for them to work. Remember, hydration starts from within. Drink ample water – a good way to know that our bodies are hydrated is to look at our urine colour. Ensure that it’s almost colourless.
2. Sunscreen: Even though the sunlight hours may reduce and it might be cloudy, it’s important to continue using sunscreen the same way that you were using in summers. This becomes important since people are tempted to spend more time walking outdoors and basking in the nice winter sun. Minimum spf 30 is good enough. In case you don’t want to add too many layers in your routine, there are hydrating and moisturising sunscreens also available.
3. Exfoliation – go easy on this: Although exfoliation is great at removing dead skin cells and gives a nice glowing, polished look, it’s important to go easy on this in winters. Listen to your skin – it knows best. You might find the sweet spot to be exfoliating once or at max twice a week.
4. Exposed parts – lips and hands: People with oily skin who probably might have never used a moisturiser would also find that their lips and hands are getting dry. It’s our inherent tendency to lick our lips to hydrate them and peel off the dry skin – don’t do this! Use a non-fragranced lip balm which contains ceramides, shea butter, petroleum jelly to help hydrate the lips and apply your normal moisturiser liberally over the hands and feet.
5. Combat Flare-ups: It is normal and even expected for dermatological conditions such as eczema, psoriasis and lichen planus to flare up in the cold winter months. Don’t worry or stress about that. Continue with your existing dermatology prescription and pay more attention to hydration and moisturisation. Maintaining the skin barrier is often times sufficient to prevent flare ups.
6. Shower like a pro: We may all naturally gravitate towards long hot showers but they actually do more harm than good. They strip the skin of its protective oils and damage the skin barrier. This is also one of the reasons why dermatological conditions flare up in winters. Use lukewarm water and avoid long showers. Use hydrating cleansers or a pH neutral cleanser. Immediately after your shower, ideally within 2-3 minutes is the perfect time to use a moisturiser.