As winter is knocking on the door, you might be observing that your skin is getting dry. If you have sensitive skin, you may even get a rash or breakouts. So how do you take care of your skin during this dry season? How should your skincare routine differ from that of summer?
The main difference is dryness. During cold seasons, the atmosphere is less humid, therefore, moisture is stripped off our skin making it dry.
This is the reason why you might be seeing your regular glowing skin go dull. So you need to put a little extra effort to keep your skin healthy. Take a look at beautygab.com to find some beauty tips. Let’s see what you can do to keep your skin plump and rejuvenated. We have listed a step-by-step skincare routine for you.
Use A Mild Cleanser
Cleansers are essential to remove dirt from your skin. In other seasons, you might be fine using a cleanser that contains chemicals like sulfates and parabens. However, you must avoid using these ingredients in winter since they can cause more dryness to your skin.
You might want to go for cream or foam cleansers that not only get the cleaning done but are also hydrating and leave your face feeling plump.
If you are fond of makeup, use an oil cleanser to remove your makeup completely. Not cleaning makeup efficiently is a major cause of bacterial acne in many people. Residual makeup can clog your pores and cause inflammation. So remember first to remove your makeup and then wash your face with a mild, hydrating cleanser to get an absolutely clean and fresh face.
Exfoliate
Since winter makes our skin dry, it is only natural that there would be more production of dead skin cells during this season. If these are not removed, they’ll eventually clog your pores and cause acne. This is why you should regularly exfoliate to avoid dead cell buildup.
However, many people tend to over-exfoliate. This strips off natural oils from your face and can even cause micro-tears on your skin. So exfoliating should be done carefully and avoid overdoing it. Chemical exfoliators are better than physical ones as they are less harsh on the skin and can suck out any dirt or skin cells from your pores, and leave your skin baby soft.
Toner
Cleansers and exfoliators are basic. But your skin has a slightly acidic pH. To balance your natural pH level and prepare your skin for the next skincare steps, toning is necessary. For winter, go for hydrating toners. Another important point to note is that most toners available in the market contain alcohol that can dry your skin further. You don’t want this in winter or if you have sensitive skin. Always remember to “turn and learn” the ingredient list of a product. Choose an alcohol-free toner.
Serum
Serums are very lightweight and can penetrate deeper into skin layers. They are designed to deliver active ingredients into your skin to rejuvenate and hydrate. Choose a serum that contains hyaluronic acid, a wonderful ingredient that adds and retains moisture to the skin.
You can also include vitamin E serums. They repair your skin from within, reducing wrinkles and dryness. Vitamin C serums are also a worthy addition to your skincare. They remove hyperpigmentation and give you that glass skin glow.
Skin Dries? Moisturize!
Moisturizing is perhaps the most important step of a winter skincare routine. As the name suggests, moisturizers moisturize your skin, which is very important during winter. They also act as a physical barrier on your skin, preventing moisture loss, and thus preventing dryness.
The area around your eyes is thinner and more sensitive than the rest of your face. So you may want to use eye creams. However, a normal moisturizer can be sufficient for this too. If you are using eye creams with retinoids for dark circles, then this may also be included in your routine. Besides, eye creams are just overpriced moisturizers, and you can do just fine without them.
Don’t forget your lips. In winter, chapped lips are very common. You may realize that your lips crack more often and become extremely dry in winter. Easy solution: carry a good lip balm in your pocket, preferably one that contains SPF, apply it every time you feel like your lips are becoming dry.
Don’t Forget the SPF
Using sunscreen is the only step that we can say is more important than moisturizers, but this is the step that the majority of people skip. You might think that it’s winter and the sun has gone to light saving mode, so there is no need to wear sunscreen. But this is the least you can do to care for your skin. Sun exposure can not only cause pigmentation, but also loss of collagen, wrinkles, and even skin cancer! Using an SPF 30 minimum is necessary for protecting your skin against harmful sun rays. If you live in a hotter climate, you might need to move up your SPF too as high as 50.
Extra Tips
- Consider getting New York stem cell treatment. These IV treatments can help your body regenerate cells naturally and reverse the signs of aging for radiant, glowing skin.
- Use a honey mask once a week. Honey is a natural moisturizer and also makes your skin glow.
- Use facial oils. Oils are great to retain moisture during winter. It is a great idea to do this overnight so that when you wash your face in the morning, instead of an oily face, you will have healthy, moisturized skin.
- Understand your skin type. Products are designed according to different skin types. If you have oily skin, products for dry skin will make your skin look soggy and also cause discomfort. If you have sensitive skin, a lot of products might not suit you and cause breakouts. So choose your products according to your skin type for the best results.
- Incorporate lipids and ceramides into your routine. Lipids are not only good moisturizers but also powerful antioxidants. Ceramides act as natural moisture barriers and keep your skin from drying out in winter.
- Don’t forget your neck. We tend to forget about our necks and only put products on our faces. This is a bad idea. Take care of your neck too to get an even-toned appearance.
- Avoid hot showers. Even though a hot shower on a winter morning is one of the best feelings, hot water can remove essential oils from your skin and dry it out.
- You are what you eat. Remember, if you are not eating right then putting tons of beauty products on your face will not help. You need to have a balanced and healthy diet for better skin.
To Sum Up
Skincare is a fantastic form of self-care. Not only does it keep your skin healthy but also lifts your mood. So take care of your skin this winter with our tips, and you will have young-looking, fresh, cashmere-feeling skin all winter!
