10 Must-Follow Winter Skincare Tips for Women 2021

Many people have a love-hate relationship with winter. It is that time of year when people get cosy with their loved ones, celebrate the holiday season and, of course, flaunt their expensive winter wear collection. But, on the flip side, the biting cold winds can give us cracked skin, chapped lips and winter itch. Worst part? A Chapstick and moisturizing lotion offer only temporary relief and often end up ruining our complexion.

Fret not! In this article, we have put together 10 Must-Follow Winter Skincare Tips which make your skin, winter-proof. Following these tips will transform your dry and cracked skin into a glossy, smooth one.

Top 10 Winter Skincare Tips for a Smooth, Nourished Skin:

Here are some expert tips which can help you overcome all your skin worries in winters:

1. Avoid Long and Hot Baths:

Most of us make the mistake of taking long baths with very hot water to beat the winter colds. While doing so can offer comfort to your aching muscles and joints, you will end up jeopardizing your skin health. Subjecting your skin to extreme temperatures for longer durations results in a loss of natural moisture and oils from your skin. So, immediately after you come out from the shower, you will notice how your skin starts drying out. To avoid this problem, take a bath in lukewarm water for no longer than 5-10 minutes and follow it up with a heavy moisturizing lotion on slightly wet skin.

2. Choose the Right Moisturizer:

Not all moisturizers work well in winters! When the weather turns colder than usual, you will need a lotion that offers deeper, longer protection. People with dry skin must go with creams or lotions that contain heavy emollients like Shea butter, Cocoa butter, Olive oil etc. These ingredients nourish and condition your skin from deep within. If you have oily skin, then go for products with ingredients like hyaluronic acid or aloe vera which moisturize your skin without leaving a greasy layer. Also, consider buying special moisturizing products for area prone to extreme dryness like knees, elbows, and the feet.

3. Exfoliate Your Skin Regularly:

Did you know that your skin cells die faster in winters? Here's Why - When your skin gets exposed to too many temperature changes which come from the cold winds on the outside and warm air from heaters inside, your skin cells can dry up quickly and die. These dead cells get accumulated on the surface layer of the skin and leave a patchy appearance. Thankfully, you deal with this problem by exfoliating your skin at least once a week. Using a scrub to buff away the dry and dead skin can reveal the younger cells on the inner skin layers and restore your natural complexion.

4. Tweak your CTM Products:

If your CTM routine comprises drying or mattifying products, you might have to put them aside during winters. It's worth investing in a whole new set of products that nourish and repair your skin in the colder months. For cleansing, replace regular soaps with cleansing milks or cleansers with moisturizing agents. Avoid toners that contain alcohol or other drying ingredients and instead, look out for products that add a layer of hydration. Make sure that you finish Toning and moisturizing steps immediately after cleansing to avoid moisture loss.

5. Don't Skip your Sunscreen:

Are you striking off sunscreen from the list of winter skincare products? Well, you are committing a grave mistake! Winter sun rays are usually harsher than summers because the ozone layer gets thinner this season. Due to the penetration of more UV rays into the atmosphere, your skin gets more prone to sun damage in winters. Also, if you are in a snowy place, then the sun reflections from snow can touch your skin from all angles, leading to burns and pigmentation. So, invest in a broad-spectrum sunscreen that offers moisturizing benefits too!

6. Run a Humidifier:

Air during winters is usually quite dry and lacks humidity. To put the moisture back into air, experts recommend running a humidifier inside the rooms and cars. A humidifier increases the humidity levels in the air which prevents your skin from drying out. Using this machine can greatly help in reducing dryness, itchiness, redness and flakiness caused during winters. However, a humidifier is only meant to protect your skin from losing moisture and cannot substitute a winter skincare routine.

7. Stop Licking Your Lips:

It's quite common to experience dry and chapped lips during winters. However, licking lips in order to 'moisturize' them can worsen the problem and lead to lip eczema. Our saliva contains many digestive enzymes like amylase and maltase which can damage the delicate layers of your lip skin. So, the more you lick them, the more chapped and dry they become. Instead, choose a good Chapstick or a lip balm that coats the surface layer of lips with a layer to prevent moisture loss. Products with ingredients like shea or cocoa butter can nourish your lips and maintain their suppleness.

8. Book a Facial Appointment:

While facials are beneficial for your skin all-round the year, they can be particularly good during the winters. Professional facial treatments address many problems like dryness, dullness, pigmentation and unwanted texture better than regular products. You can book a nourishing facial that comes with a good exfoliation and massage to improve the blood circulation of your skin. You can also opt for superficial peels containing mild fruit acids to gently remove the dead layers and clear up your skin.

9. Use Overnight Repair Masks and Serums:

Overnight products are worth an investment as they repair and rejuvenate your skin from within. Unlike day products which only moisturize or protect your skin, overnight serums and masks deliver an extra dose of nutrition to make it healthier. These products usually contain anti-aging ingredients like retinols and antioxidants that work against skin damage. Using them regularly can increase the suppleness of your skin, boost it elasticity and give you nourished, winter-proof skin.

10. Nourish Skin from Within:

Along with using topical cream and lotions to protect your skin, you must also focus on your diet and water intake. After all, beautiful skin is a reflection of how well you nourish your body from within. Increase your water intake to keep your skin hydrated all day long. Additionally, include plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables to supply essential nutrients to skin and maintain its health. Skin experts also recommend taking collagen supplements to increase water retention in skin during winters. Do check with your doctor to know if these products suit your age and health condition.

Now that you have learned the best winter skin care tips, it's time to put them to practice. Remember that the key to good-looking skin during winters to be regular and patient with your skincare routine. Do you have any more of such tips for our readers to beat winter skin woes? If yes, do share them with us!