Winter Skin Care Routine for You

It has been so busy busy month for me that I couldn’t post much! Over all it was such an amazing month for me due to beautiful festivals and some personal family functions! I am Feeling B- e- a- u- t- i- f- u- l ! <3 <3

So, Finally the winter is here! We all love Winter!!! Don’t we? But, Cold winter air can create a mess for your skin and hair. As the temperature decreases, so does your skin’s moisture. flaking, itchiness are common during winter. By implementing some simple changes in your skincare routine, plus choosing right products, can stay healthy looking all year round.

Today, I’ve come up with some winter care tips for you which will not only help you to look your skin and hair healthy, but will also prevent your skin from early signs of aging.

Change Your Cleanser

Cleansers can be extremely drying to the skin. Mild, unscented and soap free cleansers are the best for your skin because they help to maintain its natural moisture. Moisturizing cleansers are a good choice too. Avoid products that contain a high concentration of alcohol. Replace your foaming cleanser with a creamy one (like cleansing milk for example). That way you ensure that your skin does not turn dry after cleansing. After cleansing, don’t leave the skin naked for more than 30 seconds, as this can dehydrate it, leading to increased dryness and wrinkles. Apply a hydrating toner and moisturizer to seal in moisture.

Choose your Moisturizer wisely

Some over-the-counter moisturizers have petroleum-based ingredients that can actually further dry your skin in the winter months. Be sure to choose a smart formula that has natural, nourishing ingredients. Go for an oil-based rather than a water-based solution, as it’s more likely to help your skin retain moisture in the winter. You can also try some try some natural moisturizing oils as they are made with natural, hydrating ingredients like lavender, olive, chamomile, jojoba, and more which help soothe dry and itchy skin.

Maximize your Moisturizer

Changing your skincare routine in the winter necessary for everyone. Skin becomes drier in cold weather, especially if it’s windy, because the moisture off the skin is evaporated more quickly by the wind, and the skin doesn’t produce as much oil. Try using a slightly heavier moisturizer than you use in the summer, although still make sure that it’s suitable for your skin type. Don’t forget to moisturize right after you wash. Applying moisture to damp skin helps seal that dampness into the skin. Keep a bottle near the bathtub, shower stall and at every sink and use liberally every time you wash. Make sure you moisturize every morning, especially if you are going outside, to prevent your skin from becoming dry and flaky. At night also, before going to bed, wash your face to remove make up and pollutants, which could irritate your skin, and apply moisturizer to treat your skin while you sleep.

Exfoliating is must

Adding an exfoliating step into your skincare routine is a must. Gentle exfoliation will help to remove dead surface skin cells. Don’t exfoliate too frequently during the cold months as scrubbing your face too often leads to losing oils and result in dry skin. Scrubbing further will make it more sensitive, so you should be gentler with your skin by using exfoliators once or twice a week, not more. Avoid physical exfoliators, which contains rough beads as that will irritate your skin and make your skin’s situation worse. Using a scrubber while having a bath will exfoliate the dry and dead skin leaving you feeling soft and fresh. Exfoliating body washes are also good option in the winter months.

Don’t skip under eye care

An eye cream is a great addition to any skincare routine during the winter. The skin around the eye is very thin and harsh weather can be extra tough on the eye area. Extra moisture around the eye will help to keep the skin hydrated and soothed. Plus, many eye creams offer additional benefits such as reducing fine lines and wrinkles, puffiness and dark circles.

Keep it Warm but not Hot

If the temperature inside is much hotter than outside it can irritate your skin and can even cause broken capillaries from the temperature shock when you get home or when you go out. While walking around at home wear slippers or warm socks to prevent getting cold feet which can cause chilblains, which cause your toes to swell, the skin to become sore and sometimes causes permanent disfigurement. The same applies for when you are washing. Having a hot shower or bath can cause skin irritation if the weather is cold. As well as this it strips the natural moisture out of the skin and hair. So turn the temperature down from hot to warm. Luke warm water will not take away the moisture from your skin.

Modify your hair care to the weather changes

There are plenty of shampoos that help your hair be strong and healthy during winter. Hair goes dry, weak and brittle during winter but if you give it the right treatment, you can avoid it becoming a big issue. Look for shampoos and conditioners which aim to protect and heal your hair, making sure it’s slightly more moisturizing than what you use normally, but still good for your hair type. Also, it may be a good idea to try a moisturizing hair treatment (Oiling your Hair)once or twice a fortnight to help repair the effects of winter, you could even make one yourself !

Your lips need extra attention in Winter

Don’t forget your lips this winter. Lips get chapped very soon and also lose moisture easily . Apply a moisturizing lip balm when you are doing the rest of your skin care, make it part of your routine. Before you go outside apply some Vaseline to your lips as this creates a protective barrier between the cold air and your lips. Remember that Vaseline isn’t actually moisturizing, it’s only protective, so use another lip balm alongside it. Investing in a good lip balm is a good option. I personally use Nivea Lip Balm. You can simply apply the coconut oil on your lips before you go to sleep. This is one of my favourite routine. Try exfoliating your lips to smooth away and dead or flaky skin. Do this by applying a generous amount of Vaseline to your lips, then rub either with sugar with a soft toothbrush. Use circular motions and then rinse your lips and apply balm. Be gentle when exfoliating your lips.

Special care for Hands and Feet

Make sure you always put on loads of moisturizer in your hands and feet, before going out, rather carry a moisturizer with you if you want to have soft hydrated hands. To keep the skin soft and comfortable, massage hand moisturizer into your hands in the morning and evening, as well as every time you wash your hands. If you’re worried about having greasy hands, there are non-greasy feeling hand creams available. If your hands are extremely dry, apply a suitable moisturizer at night and then wear light cotton gloves to keep the moisture on them. The same way, apply lots of moisturizer on your feet and wear socks and go to sleep. This will make sure the moisturizer has fully seeped into your skin making it soft and well hydrated next morning. Once you have washed your hands, make sure you dry them before going out into the cold. Not doing so will make your skin dry.

Eat a balanced diet and stay hydrated From the Inside Out

Eating a healthy diet full of nutrients and vitamins is the best way to keep your hair and skin from looking and feeling healthy. Eating foods high in water content can help hydrate your skin from the inside out. Try apples, oranges, kiwi, and watery veggies like celery, tomatoes, cucumbers and carrots etc. Eating well will also make you feel great too! As we tend to drink less water in the winter because we turn to hot drinks like coffee and tea. Remember that your skin needs hydration from the inside, out. A little warm water with lemon can be very refreshing and hydrating at the same time. If you have trouble with maintaining a balanced diet then take multivitamins, but remember that this is not an effective replacement for the real nutrition.

Try DIY Masks

Homemade hydrating masks can provide needed moisture in the winter months. Use natural moisturizing ingredients like honey, yogurt, olive and jojoba oils, almond oil, bananas, and aloe Vera. (I have my own Aloe vera plant at home..yiippyy !!) Mix what you like together to create a cream or paste, and leave on skin for 10-30 minutes for lasting hydration.

It is also important not to overlook an SPF product in the winter. Even though it is cold, UV rays from the sun can continue to cause damage. Regardless of the weather, an SPF product should be worn every day for complete skin care.

Do you have other tips for pampering winter skin? Please share them with me and other readers in the comments section below.

Thank you for reading.

Stay Beautiful!!