6 tips to winter-proof your skin

Make sure it's pampered and nourished during these cold and dry months

Let's face it - the cold weather doesn't do your skin any favours. All of a sudden, your hands feel like sandpaper and you may find yourself wondering, 'Is eyebrow dandruff even a thing?'. The cold air robs your skin of its natural oils, leaving it dry and itchy. It can even cause severe dry skin, eczema, and psoriasis. That's why you need to take care of it. So, here are some basic tips for the coming months.

1) Use lukewarm water: It is very tempting to go for those long 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 moisturise immediately, your skin can develop cracks and winter eczema. Once you have taken a lukewarm shower, apply a moisturiser that contains hyaluronic acid and ceramides. 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. An easy way to do so is by drinking lots of water. Though you might not feel as thirsty during winters as during other seasons, you need to maintain your water intake. You can also install a humidifier to manage the moisture level in your home. This will keep your skin happy.

3) Choose skincare products wisely: What kept your skin happy during summer may make it sad during winter - and that's why you need to change your skincare products accordingly. The key to healthy and glowing winter skin is using mild products. Choose cleansers that contain moisturisers 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 repair the moisture barrier of your skin.
Avoid masks, peels, astringent lotions, and any product that contains alcohol as they make your skin dry during winters.

4) Protect your skin: Be it summer or winter, I always recommend using SPF. The warm sun rays feel pleasant, but the UV rays can damage your skin. Choose a sunscreen that has titanium dioxide or zinc oxide. Also, avoid going outside immediately after you have washed your hands or after a shower. Wait for the skin to dry because damp skin tends to crack easily in the cold.

5) Do not exfoliate much: Exfoliating helps in getting rid of dead skin cells. But you have to be careful during winters because your skin barrier is already compromised due to the weather and you don't want to lose it with excess exfoliation. Exfoliating your skin once a week is fine - this boosts skin regeneration and product absorption. Moreover, exfoliate depending on your skin type. If you have very dry skin, avoid exfoliating altogether.
6Try natural ingredients: Homemade masks and face packs using natural ingredients protect your skin from chemical exposure. Ingredients like honey, jojoba oil, avocado, aloe vera, and banana help in maintaining the moisture level of your skin to keep you glowing.

Some products I can't live without during winter are:
. Melanie Mills Hollywood Gleam Body Radiance: This acts as a primer. I also mix it with my foundation to get a pretty glow.
. Drunk Elephant Umbra Tinte Physical Daily Defense SPF 30: Ditch heavy, full cover foundation and try this tinted, sunscreen that delivers powerful broad-spectrum UVA/UVB protection.
. La Vallée Ultra Moisturizing Night Cream: Intensely replenishes skin at a cellular level. Enriched with moisture-rich ingredients, your skin will feel exceptionally smooth and look utterly radiant. I wake up with skin that's glowing.
. Mario Badescu Facial Spray with Aloe Lavender: Replenish skin with an infusion of calming botanicals and lavender essential water. This facial mist delivers a soothing boost of hydration as antioxidant Vitamin C combats skin-ageing free radicals - leaving the skin balanced and bright.
. Repere Care Micro Exfoliating Cleanser: This gentle exfoliating cleanser combines prickly pear seed oil and natural volcanic beads to thoroughly cleanse pores and promote healthy skin surface renewal without damaging or drying skin.
wknd@khaleejtimes.com