14 Essential Winter Skin Care Tips That You Should Follow

“To keep a warm heart in winter is the real victory”, they say. But to keep healthy skin in winter is the real challenge. If you are struggling to maintain your skin during winter, we have a few winter face care tips that help you maintain your skin’s moisture. Your skin loses the natural moisture, resulting in itchy and dry skin. In some cases, it can even lead to psoriasisⁱ  XAn autoimmune inflammatory condition marked by red, scaly, itchy, and dry patches on the skin. , eczemaⁱ  XAn inflammatory condition where the skin becomes excessively dry, rough, and itchy. , and other skin conditions (1). If you are wondering how to take care of your skin in winter naturally, and struggling to maintain your skincare routine, we have a few winter face care tips to help you maintain your skin’s moisture. Here’s a list of 14 tips that can help you keep your skin care issues at bay during winter. Keep reading!

14 Skin Care Tips For Winters

1. Use Lukewarm Water

It is very tempting to go for hot showers when the temperature is dipping. But if you love your skin, avoid them. Instead, use lukewarm water to shower and wash your face. Hot showers dry your skin quickly, and if you do not moisturize it immediately, your skin can develop cracks and winter eczema (2). Once you have taken a lukewarm shower, apply a moisturizer that contains hyaluronic acid and ceramidesⁱ  XA class of naturally occurring fats or lipids that holds skin cells firmly together in the uppermost layers of the skin. . This will keep the moisture barrier intact and prevent dryness.

2. Stay Hydrated 

Be it inside your home or outside, the air is drier in winter. And as a result, water evaporates from your body easily. Hence, you need to keep your skin hydrated. You can take hot water steam or also install a humidifier to manage the moisture level in your home (3). This will certainly keep your skin happy.

3. Choose Skin Care Products Wisely

What kept your skin happy during summers can make it sad during winters. And that’s why you need to change your skin care products accordingly. The key to healthy and glowing winter skin is using mild skin care products. Choose cleansers that contain moisturizers to avoid stripping your skin of its natural moisture barrier. If you have acne or breakouts, use products containing ceramides, hyaluronic acid, hydration serums, and glycerin to help in repairing the moisture barrier of your skin (4).

Avoid masks and peels, astringent lotions, and any product that contains alcohol as they make your skin dry during the winter.

Neha Kaushal, a beauty blogger, shares her special winter morning skin care routine, in one of her blog posts. She talks about using the right natural ingredients to combat dry skin issues during the winters. She writes, “After washing my face I apply rose water and glycerin toner on my face. This toner does wonders on my skin. It softens and moisturizes the skin and decreases dryness and itching (i).” She also adds that she avoids lemons, multani mitti (Fuller’s earth), rice flour, and potatoes, in her natural skin care remedies because they have a drying effect.

4. Protect Your Skin

Your skin needs protection from the cold wind or snow or rain if you are stepping out in winter. So, wear gloves, caps, and hats and do not forget your sunscreen lotion. The warm sun rays feel pleasant, but the UV rays can still damage your skin a lot. Choose a sunscreen that has titanium dioxide or zinc oxide.

Quick Tip

Take care of your chapped lips because they can split if exposed to cold temperatures and become infected. Make sure to use a hydrating lip balm with SPF to protect your lips.

5. Do Not Exfoliate Your Skin A Lot

Exfoliating the skin helps in getting rid of dead cells. You have to be careful during winters because your skin barrier is already compromised due to the dry and cold weather. Exfoliating your skin once a week is fine – this helps in boosting skin regenerationⁱ  XA natural process where the dead skin cells fall away from the top layer, revealing new skin cells. and better product absorption (5). Also, exfoliation you should exfoliate depending on your skin type. If you have very dry skin, exfoliate your skin lightly. If you have combination and oily skin, once a week is fine.

6. Don’t Forget The Hands 

The skin on your hands has fewer oil glands as compared to the skin on any other body part. That’s why moisture escapes from your hands quickly, making them prone to cracks and itchiness. Apply a moisturizer before you go out.

7. Care For Your Feet

Choose glycerin-based creams and petroleum jelly to moisturize your feet (6).  Also, make sure you exfoliate the skin on your feet occasionally so that it can absorb the moisturizer easily.

8. Do Not Wear Wet Clothes For Too Long 

This will irritate your skin further and cause itchiness. Walking and playing in the snow is fine, but make sure you remove the wet socks, pants, and gloves as soon as possible.

9. Avoid Anything That Irritates The Skin

Follow this if you have persistent skin issues like eczema. Winter skin is extremely fragile, and exposure to allergens can trigger your symptoms. Many people are allergic to wool but cannot resist the temptation to wear their winter knits. If this is the same scenario with you, always choose winter wear that is made from high-grade wool. If possible, go for winter wear made from cotton.

10. Don’t Ditch The Sunglass

This is especially for those who live in places where it snows heavily. The glare from the sun and snow can harm the skin around your eyes and cause brownspots, fine lines, and other issues. So, whenever you step outside, make sure that you wear good quality UV protected sunglasses, preferably with wide arms.

11. Follow A Daily Skin Care Routine

It doesn’t need to be elaborate. Here’s a very basic and simple skin care routine that anyone can follow to keep their skin happy during the winter. Cleanse your skin once or twice a day, preferably in the morning and before going to bed. After washing your face in the morning, apply a light daily moisturizer to lock the moisture in. And at night, use a heavy moisturizer or overnight cream. This should be done on damp skin because just-washed skin absorbs moisture better.

Quick Tip

Apply a DIY moisturizing face mask once a week to give your skin a boost of regeneration. Make a mask with a mashed banana, curd, honey, and almond oil, and apply it to your face. Keep the mixture on your face until it dries, then wash it off with warm water.

12. Take Care Of Your Diet

Consume a lot of seasonal fruits and veggies (7). Berries are exceptional sources of vitamins and antioxidantsⁱ  XChemical compounds that inhibit oxidation by fighting free radicals and prevent cell damage and diseases. that your skin needs to stay healthy during the cold weather. Strawberries, grapes, blueberries, raspberries, or cherries – pick anything you love. Also, if you think that you are missing out on the hydration part (limited water intake), you can cover that up with fruits, veggies, and other food items such as soups, salads, juices, and milk. In this way, your body will get the nutrients to keep the skin healthy.

13. Exercise

Yes! I know it’s hard to leave the warmth and coziness of the blanket behind and get moving on a chilly winter morning. But do it if you love your skin. Exercise will pump up your heart rate, which in turn, pumps more blood to your organs and skin.

14. Use Retinol

The cold air in winter can make your skin really dry. This is the perfect time to introduce retinol into your skincare routine. It is a derivative of vitamin A that controls sebum production, reduces fine lines, blemishes, and wrinkles, and improves overall skin texture. It is also used to combat excessive dryness and flaking (8). Start with 0.2% to 0.3% concentration of retinol and use it once or twice a week to avoid irritation. If no issues arise, then you can increase the frequency to every other day to reap the benefits of this powerful skincare ingredient.

During the winter, the oil and sweat glands in your body and the blood vessels constrict a bit. This makes it hard for your skin to keep itself healthy and glowing naturally, and that’s why it needs your help. These tips are not difficult to follow, and you can easily include them in your daily routine.

Infographic: Top 5 Winter Skin Care Tips

With winter comes its major skin challenges, from dry, flaky skin to chapped lips. Following the tips mentioned in the infographic below will help you get your winter skin care regimen sorted and ensure those common problems stay at bay. Check it out and say hello to beautiful, supple skin!

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Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can we use a toner in winter?

Yes, we can use a toner in winter to keep our skin fresh and rejuvenated.

Can aloe vera gel be used in winter?

Yes, aloe vera gel helps treat skin dryness and dehydration, which is common in the winter. It moisturizes the skin without leaving it oily. It is ideal for all skin types.

Is coconut oil good for your face in winter?

Yes. Along with delivering additional moisturization, coconut oil also ensures your skin does not lose moisture through the pores. It works by coating the skin with a protective barrier. As a result, it is regarded as an excellent remedy to take care of skin in winter naturally.

Which oil is best for the skin in winter?

Almond oil is perfect for dry skin and can assist with itching, discomfort, and dryness in the winter. It is used to treat dry skin conditions such as psoriasis and eczema. Almond oil also smoothes and rejuvenates skin and improves complexion and skin tone (9).

Winter can make your skin feel dry and appear dull. Check out this video to find top 10 expert tips to help keep your skin healthy and glowing even in harsh cold weather!

Personal Experience: Source

i. Winter Morning Skin Care Routine
https://medium.com/@nehakbusiness1988/winter-morning-skin-care-routine-c2e591b3f0d9

Sources

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Dr. Julia CarrollMD, FRCPC

   

Dr. Julia Carroll is a board-certified dermatologist with over 14 years of experience and is known for her designer approach to beauty. She is the best-kept secret of many Canadians who love her personalized, natural results. As a sought-after media personality in the area of cosmetic dermatology and skin care, Dr. Carroll travels worldwide, both lecturing and learning, to bring...more

Ramona SinhaEditor

 

Ramona is an editor at StyleCraze with 11 years of experience in writing and editing. She has authored over 200 articles on skin and hair care. She graduated from the University of Calcutta, West Bengal, and did her post-graduation from the University of Kalyani, West Bengal. She also did a certificate course in dermatology offered by the Novosibirsk State University...more

Anjali SayeeAssociate Editor

Anjali is an associate editor at StyleCraze. She specializes in hairstyles and hair and skin care and has written over 200 articles in these domains. She has 7 years of experience, and her philosophy about hair and skin care is simple: if you love and care for it, it will be healthy. She has taken it upon herself to show...more

Krati DarakAssociate Commerce Editor

Krati is an associate commerce editor, a certified skin care coach, and a beauty enthusiast. She has a master’s degree in advertising and publishing relations from DAVV University and three years of experience in writing and editing for different niches. She has also worked with a number of high-profile beauty brands on a freelance basis to upscale their businesses. Krati...more