Our skin is a clear indicator of the change in weather and winters leave the most evident indications of their arrival, on the human skin. The tremendous temperature changes, harsh winds, the winter sun, centrally heated homes and many such factors, call for the need of an extra care for our skin during the winters.
Also, winters are also the season of festivals and it gets essential to look good. A healthy skin is a key factor for looking good. With a proper diet, environment and a proper skin care; winter skin issues like the dryness, itchiness, etc. can be kept at bay.
7 Ways To Protect Your Skin
1. Feed Your Skin
Winters can take away the glow from your skin. It becomes essential to include a healthy diet to maintain a healthy and glowing skin. Green vegetables and fruits, enriched with vitamin B and minerals must be included in the diet, in large quantities.
For a well-hydrated skin, Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids rich fatty fish, nuts avocados, legumes, flaxseed and green leafy vegetables must be consumed. The deficiency of theses fatty acids can lead to dry, itchy skin and brittle nails.
The most important of all is to keep hydrated. During winters we barely sweat yet, drinking a huge amount of water is considered vital. Ample water content in your body makes your skin glow naturally and it appears hydrated. And well! How can we forget the most loved beauty sleep? An undisturbed sleep of 7-8 hours helps the skin to rejuvenate and is the best you can do for your skin.
While there are do’s, there are also do not’s for the skin care in winters. Caffeinated beverages, however, we know that you love them, intensify the dryness of the skin and hence, must be avoided. Alternatives like green tea, coconut water, and fresh fruits that help in replenishing and hydrating the skin can always be thought of.
2. The Environment Around You
The cold dry winter air and the heat from your heaters steal the moisture of the skin and make it dry, dull and rough. Using humidifiers can help to resolve the issue. It helps to increase the much-required moisture content in the air.
Hot water showers also contribute to the harm caused to our skin in winters. They exacerbate moisture and lipid loss from the skin. It is always better to either reduce the time to 5 minutes for your body to be exposed to such hot water or to simply use lukewarm water.
Though the winter sun feels like heaven, it is necessary to avoid excessive sun exposure as the concentrations of UVA and UVB rays are very high and can lead to excessive dryness. Use a sunscreen of at least SPA 30+, to save yourself from both dryness and other harmful effects such as premature aging and pigmentation.
3. Avoid Chemical-Based Soap
The pH level of soap is much higher than that of the skin causing barrier breakdown, loss of water, lipids and nutrients from the skin, making it highly dry and irritable. The excessive use of chemical-based soap can also lead to “irritant dermatitis”, a kind of skin rash. Whatever you may argue on, you should just not use soap on the face, come what may. Alternatives like a pH balanced, moisturizing body wash will help the skin to retain water thereby increasing the moisture and suppleness. Use handmade soaps that use essential oils instead.
4. Post-Bath Regime
Most of us rub our skin leaving the epidermis, the outermost layer of the skin, dry. We do not allow the water from our shower to penetrate the skin. It is very important to pat dry the skin and not rub it.
Moisturizing well using a moisturizer that contains at least 5% urea is recommended.
5. Take A Milky Way Out
Milk cream is a well-known home remedy for dry skin since ages. Lactic acid of milk improves our skin by gently exfoliating the dead surface and accelerating the production of collagen.
Milk is also a great source of Caprylic acid. This acid helps in maintaining the natural pH level of the skin.
Overall, milk makes the best moisturizer and milk can be used, mixed with other ingredients, in various DIY remedies for dry skin
6. Honey Treats
Every dry skin tip or remedy that you may use, includes honey for sure. Honey greatly benefits the dry and flaking skin. Honey is a natural humectant, i.e. it draws the moisture from the air to ensure proper retention in the skin. It has a long lasting hydrating effect on the skin. Honey is also a rich source of antioxidants and as we all know, antioxidants control the production of free radicals and even prevents cell damage.
7. Olive Oil
Olive oil is a great cleanser, moisturizer and a protection layer to the skin owing to the four major antioxidants that it contains.
Vitamin A neutralizes the free radicals – main reason of collagen damage. This helps the skin to be free from wrinkles, fine line and skin dryness for a longer period. It also helps in thickening and stimulating the dermis, further helping to increase the blood flow to the surface of the skin.
Vitamin E, in turn, helps in reducing the chain reactions of the collagen-destroying, free radicals.
Winters are a bad time to experiment with your skin. Therefore, it is advised to follow the conventional routine which includes using effective natural products, sticking to a prescribed eating schedule and avoiding the rest. Maintaining a healthy environment will also work wonders for your winter skin. We hope you can now prepare your skin to combat against the winter harshness. Enjoy the cozy season but make sure your skin enjoys it too!
