Dr. Bansari Davda
Winter is here and so are the skin problems associated with it. Sure, all of us would love to wrap ourselves in a blanket and enjoy a hot cup of tea or cocoa with our loved ones in the cold, cozy weather. However, this cold, dry air can still easily irritate our skin.
In winters, Fillagrin – one of the most fundamental proteins for maintaining the skin barrier and NMF – natural moisturizing factor in our skin, decreases. This combined with the dry cold weather, low humidity, and indoor heating devices dehydrates our skin and leads to dryness and also worsening of skin conditions for many people.
We don’t need a major overhaul of our skincare regimen during the colder months. We should, however, focus on more hydrating varieties of products and reduce irritating products to combat the dryness that winter brings.
Few Tips to keep your skin healthy, happy and glowing during the chilly winters:
1.Take showers with lukewarm water.
Do not take very hot showers, even though it feels incredibly nice. Hot water strips of skin’s natural moisture and oils. Limit showers to 10 minutes.
2. Moisturize frequently with thick, creamy moisturisers.
Look for thick moisturisers with ingredients like ceramides, peptides, oatmeal, hyaluronic acid for better, long lasting hydration and skin barrier repair.
3) Apply moisturisers on slightly damp skin.
Moisturize right after the bath, when skin is still damp. This locks in more moisture in the skin.
4) Use mild, gentle, hydrating cleansers.
Avoid harsh facewashes which strip skin of natural moisture and make it dry and stretchy. Switch to using gentle, hydrating cleansers.
5) Switch to Body washes instead of using soaps.
Soaps are harsh and strip the body of natural oils and healthy bacteria. Instead use a gentle, mild body wash for baths.
6) Carry a Lip balm.
Apply lip balms with spf or petroleum jelly multiple times a day to prevent and treat dry, cracked lips.
7) You still need Sunscreen!
Even in winter sun’s harmful UV rays can penetrate/reflect through the clouds and reach the earth. So, always wear sunscreen, no matter the season.
8) Avoid Harsh Scrubs.
Loofahs, bath mitts, scrubs can irritate the skin and lead to eczema flares.
9) Hydrate well and limit alcohol consumption.
Drink 3-4 litres a day at least and limit alcohol consumption as it can dehydrate you a lot. Have green tea.
10) Eat foods that help in maintaining body hydration.
Load up on fruits and veggies with high water content like oranges, pineapple, strawberries, lettuce, spinach, tomatoes, carrots, cucumber etc.
