Protective skincare measures can help you tackle dryness, dullness, and premature ageing in winters, says Rupika Singh
With the dropping temperature and humidity in winter, the skin undergoes changes too and becomes dry and dull. Even it can have some sign of premature aging if not well cared for and so it deserves utmost attention. Naturally, the skin’s sebum production lowers in winters, which is further exponentially increased by low humidity levels and chilly dry air.
Skincare tips for winter season
Body’s hydration inside out: When the weather outside is very chilly and the humidity levels drop, skin health gets affected as its protective barrier gets damaged and it loses its moisture. For retaining the skin’s hydration, keep it hydrated both inside and out. Aim for at least 8-10 glasses of water each day to keep it glowy and supple. And to protect the skin from hot air indoors, probably due to the usage of heat systems, use a HEPA filter humidifier that keeps the surrounding air moist.
Hydrating moisturizer: Moisturizer functions to keep the skin’s moisture locked in to refrain it from getting dry. Winters make the skin more prone to dryness, so prefer a rich moisturizer that has occlusive agents namely petrolatum, dimethicone or lanolin. Shea Butter or hyaluronic acid enriched creams also work wonders.
Nourishing cleanser: Winter season needs proper cleansing to remove dirt, dist and other environmental pollutants from the skin but one thing that needs to be taken care of is to prevent the skin from getting dry. So for this purpose, use a cleanser that is gentle and devoid of any strong chemicals that can be damaging to the skin’s protective barrier. Preferably use cleansers enriched with hydrating compounds such as glycerin, hyaluronic acid, ceramides etc.
Gentle exfoliation: Skin needs exfoliation for maintaining its suppleness and radiance. This process removes the dead skin cells and enhances cell turnover to grow new well nourished cells. But in winters, exfoliation should be limited to once a week and no harsh chemical agents should be used. Since chemical exfoliants are gentler on the skin than physical ones, prefer chemical exfoliants namely alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) and beta hydroxy acids (BHAs).
Never skip sunscreen: Seemingly meaningless, winter days also necessitate the need of sunscreen as no matter the day may be cloudy, the harmful UV rays of the sun can penetrate through the clouds and reach your skin. Go for a broad spectrum sunscreen that has a minimum SPF of 30.
Use calming ingredients: When the skin gets too dry from cold winds and low humidity of the weather, prefer the application of ingredients that soothes the skin.
These include niacinamide, aloe vera, chamomile extract etc. When the skin gets dehydrated and dry, it also gets extra sensitive and gets irritated easily. For dealing with this, avoid any product that has harsh chemicals or fragrances in it or is alcohol based.
Visit a well-qualified and trained dermatologist: For everlasting hydrated skin in winters, you need a specialised dermatologist consultant who can well evaluate your skin needs and suggest tailored skincare regime as per your skin type and requirements. For extremely dry skin, your dermat may recommend hydrating facial treatments that infuse moisture into the deeper layers of the skin and is not just limited to the surface. These include Hydra Facials, Collagen-boosting facials, oxygen infusion therapy etc.
The dry and dehydrated skin, due to loss of its protective barrier in winters, can be well dealt with proper management. Combat the winter skin challenges by using gentle cleansers, rich moisturizers, daily sunscreen application and adequate hydration to get a supple skin.
— The author is a MBBS, MD, Dermatologist and Founder of Akiya Aesthetics