With the chilly winter season arriving, your clothes aren’t the only thing that needs change, your skincare routine does too. The cold winter breeze can ruin your skin, making it go from healthy and glowing to dull and dead in just a few minutes. And we are pretty sure, you do not want that to happen to your skin.
There is no one-size-fits-all solution as each skin type is different. If you have oily skin, you cannot follow the skin care regimen for dry skin. It is important to follow a skincare routine that is a perfect pick for your particular skin type, be it oily or dry.
Cold, dry and harsh winter winds can leave your skin red and itchy. Here are specially crafted skincare routine tips for your skin type, that can help keep the winter troubles at bay.
Table of Contents
Winter Skincare Routine Tips for Dry Skin
Avoid Hot and Steamy Showers
Nothing beats a cold winter morning than a hot shower, but hot and steamy showers can be the enemy for dry skin during winters. Too much hot water can cause excessive evaporation and rid your skin of its natural hydration properties.
People with dry skin should restrict their bath time to a maximum of ten minutes. To make it more moisturising, it is best to swap your body soaps and gels with bathing oil. This can protect your skin’s natural oil barrier.
Add Moisture to Your Home
You should invest in a humidifier to maximise moisture content in your home. Using a humidifier at your home or office can help add moisture to the dry winter air of your surroundings keeping it humid. This can help your skin stay hydrated and lock in moisture.
Place a humidifier in the parts of your home where you spend most of your time.
Limit Exfoliation Your Skin
The last thing a dry sensitive winter skin needs is harsh peels or scrubs. It is important to limit exfoliation during winters, especially for people with dry skin. Excessive exfoliation can deplete your skin of moisture and oils, further irritating your skin. Swap in your harsh sugar scrubs for gentle fruit acids and face scrubs with jojoba beads.
Do Not Skip Sunscreen, Even on Gray Winter Days
Applying sunscreen in winters is as important as it is in summers. On snowy days, snow can reflect sunlight and increase the risk of exposure. You should apply sunscreen even on cloudy winter days. The sun’s harmful UV rays can penetrate through clouds and cause damage to your skin.
So, before you step outside, apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or more.
Moisturise Daily
For people with extremely dry skin, it is best to use an oil-based moisturiser. Your skin is more prone to dehydration during winters. It can build up with dry and rough layers of dead skin cells. Keep your skin soft and hydrated by applying moisturisers multiple times a day. To further combat dryness, consider using a humidifier in your home to add moisture to the air, and opt for gentle, fragrance-free cleansers that won’t strip your skin of its natural oils. Additionally, make sure to drink plenty of water throughout the day to stay hydrated from the inside out, and incorporate foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids, like salmon and walnuts, into your diet to help nourish your skin.
Winter Skincare Routine Tips for Oily Skin
Follow a Dual Cleansing Routine
People with oily skin think that their skin does not need the necessary oils; it is completely false. To have perfectly glowing and hydrated skin, you must follow a dual cleansing routine. Massaging oil onto your skin is also a part of cleansing. Use any oil such as sunflower or coconut oil. This is the first step of dual cleansing.
Make sure that you pick an oil that won’t clog your pores. Follow the first step with a water-based cleanser. The dual cleansing method maintains the oil balance of your skin.
Apply a Serum
It is important to use a serum to treat any skin conditions you may have. Serums work well for the skin during winters as it can brighten the skin and also nourish it at the same time. However, do not use a serum with overly drying ingredients as it can irritate the skin.
Vitamin C serum can be the best choice for people with oily skin. It is sensitive to your skin and acts as a barrier between the skin and the harsh winter pollution.
Follow Up with a Hydrating Oil
To top off your winter skincare routine, it is best to lock in the moisture with a hydrating oil. It has anti-inflammatory properties which do not cause any reaction to your skin. Some of the most common face oils- avocado, rosehip and jojoba oil- have a calming effect on the skin and can be used at the end of the skincare routine.
Keep Up the Water Intake
It is easy to forget to chug in water when there is no summer heat, but it is very important to stay hydrated even during the winters. All of the skincare products will only have a limited effect if you do not glow from the inside.
The Bottom Line
Following a long list of skin care products during the winter can be hectic, that is why you should only choose the products according to your skin type. You should opt-in for skin-specific skincare routines for both oily and dry skin to have healthy and glowing skin during the harsh winters.