How to Do Skincare in Winter?

The winter season brings in cold air, lower humidity, indoor heating and harsh winds that draw out moisture from your skin. This is the reason why many people experience dryness, flakiness, itchiness and dullness of skin. Skincare in winter is essential for maintaining healthy, smooth, glowing skin. 

In this blog, you will unearth a simple winter skincare routine, the science behind dryness in winter, simple home remedies, how to take care of skin in winter naturally and mistakes to avoid. This routine is surely going to help whether you have dry, combination or oily skin.

Let’s begin your winter glow journey!

What is a winter skin care routine?

Winter Skincare routine refers to the daily & specific routine you follow to protect your skin during winter weather. The air around you becomes dry, which causes water to evaporate from your skin faster. This gives way to dryness of skin, which further leads to cracking, irritation and redness.

A winter skincare routine focuses on three things:

·       Hydration: You can restore water to the skin through hydrating serums and toners. During winter months, add those toners and serums to your bag that have ingredients like Hyaluronic Acid, Glycerine, Niacinamide & Ceramides. They draw in moisture and strengthen the skin barrier. Always remember use toners and serums that sit on your skin and sink in slowly.

·       Moisture Locking: In winter months, use ingredients like shea butter to help prevent moisture loss. Go in for winter skin care products like Jojoba Oil & Almond Oil, which seal in the moisture. The fatty acids present in these oils nourish the skin barrier. So, if you are looking for how to hydrate your skin during winter, make sure to choose products with natural, moisture-boosting ingredients.

·       Barrier Repair: As part of your winter skin care routine, avoid foaming or exfoliating face washes. Use mild cleansers containing ingredients like Aloe Vera. It soothes irritation and does away with dryness of the skin.

 Why Winter Skincare Matters?

Winters affect every skin type. It doesn’t matter whether your skin is dry, combination or oily following winter skin care tips keeps you glowing when it matters the most. Moreover, winter skincare prevents long-term damage.

1.        Prevents Dryness and Flakiness: With low moisture content, your skin becomes tight, dry and itchy during colder months. A properly thought-out routine helps the skin stay comfortable, soft, hydrated and most of all glowing.

2.      Strengthens the Skin Barrier: Have you imagined stepping out in harsh winters without a pullover or a coat? It’s the same experience as a skin barrier getting weakened. Cold temperatures strip away natural oils, whereas indoor heating pulls away moisture from the air. This dual attack leaves your skin vulnerable.

In such a scenario, opting for products that are rich in emollients like Shea butter or Squalene matters. These ingredients help replenish lost lipids.

3.      Gives a Natural Winter Glow: The winter season makes the skin look dull. The above-listed hydrating ingredients, good quality moisturizers and regular exfoliation routine maintain a glow on the skin.

Remember, winter skin care is an indispensable part of your daily life, ensuring your skin stays protected, nourished, and healthy despite the harsh cold that challenges its natural balance.

Skincare in Winter –  Step-by-Step Routine

Listed below is a step-by-step routine that explains a winter skin care routine at home using simple methods and skin-friendly ingredients.

Morning Winter Skincare Routine (AM)

1.      Start with a Gentle Hydrating Cleanser: Avoid those foaming cleansers with alcohol content. Instead, use gel-based or cream-based cleansers. They clean without stripping the natural oils from the skin.

2.        Use a hydrating toner – Choose those toners which contain skin-favouring ingredients like aloe vera, rose water, hyaluronic acid or glycerine.

3.      Apply a Vitamin C or Hydrating Serum: Vitamin C always brightens the dull-looking winter skin. Dry skin types should use a hyaluronic acid serum for winter for deep hydration.

4.      Seal Moisture with a Thick Cream: To lock in the moisture during winter, always use a thick cream. This added final layer prevents water loss. It protects the skin barrier and keeps the skin soft for hours together. As part of your winter skincare routine, choose creams with ceramides, squalane or shea butter.

 Night Winter Skincare Routine

·             Cleanse Gently to Remove Pollutants: Your daily grind has impacted your skin throughout the day. Use a mild cleanser to remove oil & dust. Mild cleansers are not too harsh on your skin.

·         Apply a Hydrating Serum: Mark it as one of the best winter skin care tips. Apply hyaluronic acid on damp skin to boost hydration. It has a lightweight texture that absorbs quickly and delivers deep, long-lasting moisture without feeling greasy.

·       Use a Nourishing Night Cream: For an effective winter skin care routine,  choose night creams that contain hyaluronic acid, shea butter, peptides and ceramides. These powerful ingredients repair the skin barrier. They restore hydration and lock in the moisture overnight. A good quality night cream ensures smoother, softer and healthier skin.

Home Remedies for Dry Skin during Winters

Here are simple remedies that work for all skin types:

·       Honey + Aloe Vera Mask: A Honey & Aloe Vera mask helps in deep moisturizing of the skin. It soothes irritation and reduces dryness. Honey is a natural humectant. Aloe Vera, on the other hand, calms inflammation and heals damaged skin. With a power combination, they add up to the skin glow.

·  Oatmeal Paste: Oatmeal paste soothes irritation and reduces redness. It calms the sensitive or dry skin. By acting as a gentle exfoliant, it removes dead cells without stripping the skin of its moisture content. In addition to this, Oatmeal has natural anti-inflammatory properties that heal dryness and soften rough patches.

·     Malai (Milk Cream) + Turmeric: Malai and turmeric is a pure        natural combo to moisturize & brighten the skin. It heals the skin by deep nourishing. This natural combo helps fade dark spots and improve the overall complexion of the skin throughout the cold season.

·      Ghee for Lips: Applying Desi ghee on the lips helps through deep      moisturization. It heals cracked lips. By creating a barrier, it prevents moisture loss, making it an ideal companion of lips during those winter months. This natural remedy is especially effective when you’re looking for how to heal dry lips in winter. Ghee nourishes, repairs, and keeps lips smooth and supple.

·       Coconut Oil: Take a small amount of coconut oil and gently apply it to your face after moisturizer at night. Coconut oil is an excellent occlusive. It seals in the hydration & repairs the skin barrier. On regular application, your skin remains soft through the winter dryness. Apply this remedy and wake up every day with smooth & nourished skin. 

Using the above winter skin care products, you can take care of your skin on a daily basis without any fuss. Winter skin care routine at home allows you the simplest & cheapest ways of taking care of your skin during the harsh weather months.

Frequently asked questions:

1. How can I moisturize my face in winter?

Start with a hydrating serum containing hyaluronic acid. Then follow this with a rich, creamy moisturizer made with ceramides, shea butter, squalene or Glycerine.  Apply these on slightly damp skin to lock in the moisture. Use a moisturizing sunscreen in the daytime and a good-quality night cream before bed.

2. Is sunscreen necessary in winter?

Yes. Apply SPF 30+ every morning. An SPF 30+ cream has a sun protection factor of over 30. It blocks over 97% of the UVB rays, which affect your skin, thereby keeping your skin away from suntan & damage.

3. How often should I exfoliate in winter?

Exfoliate 1-2 times a week to during winter to remove dead skin cells without damaging your skin barrier. Over-exfoliating can worsen dryness. So, a gentle scrub will do the trick. During winter, you should exfoliate 1–2 times a week to remove dead skin without damaging your barrier. A mild AHA works best for a winter skincare routine. Exfoliating in a correct way maintains smooth, glowing skin even during the harsh, cold weather, supporting skincare for dry skin in winter.

4. Which type of serum is best for dry skin?

For dry skin in winter, the most effective serum that can be used is hyaluronic acid serum. It pulls moisture from the air and keeps the skin hydrated for hours.  You can also choose the serum with niacinamide, squalane, or ceramides, which repair the skin. The ingredients keep your skin soft  & glowing during the winter months.  

5. How can I prevent dry skin in winter naturally?

Use aloe vera, honey masks, oatmeal packs, and ghee for lips. Avoid bathing in hot water. Let the water for bathing be lukewarm.

Conclusion:

Now that you know the A-Z of skincare in winter, you can go for a routine which is simple. This will help you keep glowing and healthy even in harsh winter weather.  A consistent winter skin care routine with the use of hydrating cleansers,  moisturizers and gentle exfoliation 1-2 times a week can prevent dryness and maintain your skin barrier. With the correct selection of products and home remedies, you can enjoy a soft-as-feather skin that oozes confidence all winter long. Moreover, the home remedies are the simplest, cheapest and most effective solutions for having a skin that looks healthy and glows during the winter months.