Understanding Winter Skin Challenges

There's first of all a thing you need to know before getting into skincare-that is, winter affects the skin in very unique ways.

  • Dry Air: Cold air has so much less percentage of moisture, which causes dehydration and dryness.
  • Outside Heating: Central heating removes the sweat off your skin, so it feels even drier.
  • Exposure to Wind: The wind makes your skin and all those exposed areas like the face feel prickly and more irritable, which also contributes to dryness.
  • Hot Shower: Steaming in a hot shower may feel heavenly in the cold winter, but what it does is dissolve all the natural oils your skin has.

Essential Winter Skincare Products

 

Step 1: Cleansing

However, hydrating or moisturizing cleansers must be used during winter because you don’t want your skin to become so dry with no oil.


Recommended: 

  • Cerave Hydrating Cleanser, which contain ceramides and hyaluronic acid that retains moisture in the skin.
  • La Roche-Posay Tolerance Hydrating Gentle Cleanser: Extremely mild cleanser, great for sensitive skin. The texture would be hydrating as it cleans up all impurities for you. Use
  • Wash your face both in the morning and evening, removing dirt and makeup without drying out your face.

2. Exfoliation

Gentle Exfoliation: Subtle on the skin are exfoliating since it involves washing off the dead skin cells but may be so harsh during the coldest season; which makes the face to become even drier.


Recommendation:

  • Chemical Exfoliants: Alpha hydroxyl acids (AHAs), for example glycolic acid or lactic acid. Creamy exfoliator with no scrubbing.
  • Physical Exfoliants: If you like scrubs, try a sugar-based scrub. This will be gentler on your skin.

How to use:

Apply 1-2 times a week according to your skin's sensitivity. To hydrate your skin, make sure to moisturize after exfoliating.


3. Toning

Hydrating Toner: A hydrating toner which brings back the moisture balance to your skin and gets it ready for absorption to other products. Something with aloe vera or rose water-infused would be so cool for this.


Recommended:

  • Thayers Witch Hazel Toner - Alcohol-free-a soothing aloe vera to hydrate
  • Klairs Supple Preparation Facial Toner: Controls pH while hydrating the skin.
  • How to Use:
  • Tone: Apply toner directly onto your skin using a cotton pad or your hands. Press gently against the skin.

4. Serums and Treatments

Hydrating serums: This type of serum is containing Hyaluronic Acid: a natural attractor of moisture in the dermis. Vitamin C serums will equally improve the skin’s glow and eliminate free radicals as well.


Best choice:

  • The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% B5: Serum is very effective in supplying high quantity of water to the skin and also improving skin tautness of the skin.
  • SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic Serum: It is an antioxidant that brightens and protects the skin.

Toners

  • Apply toners right after cleaning, allow the toner to dry, and then serum application.

Serums

  • Serums should be applied right after toning and one should only apply a moisturizer after serum has been fully absorbed.

5. Moisturizing

Intense, intense moisturizers lock in moisture and provide a shield; they usually contain ceramides, glycerin, and squalling.


Try

  • CeraVe Moisturizing Cream. The ceramides seal in moisture, but then the hyaluronic acid douses the face in it.
  • Clinique Moisture Surge 72-Hour Auto-Replenishing Hydrator. Hydrating, but just so.

How to Use

  • Moisturizer: Use enough moisturizer on your face and neck when getting up in the morning and when going to bed at night.

View More: Glow Up Your Skin - Incredible Ways To Use Glycerin For Skincare


6. Eye Cream

Eye Cream: Hydrating eye cream is necessary as dryness and puffiness take away from the attractiveness of the eyes. Dryness of skin often shows its first signs around the eyes.


Recommended:

  • Kiehl's Creamy Eye Treatment with Avocado: Moisturizing, rich, hydrating, there's just the right eye cream for winter
  • Neutrogena Hydro Boost Eye Gel-Cream: This under eye product keeps the region moist due to deep moisture hyaluronic acid holds.

Dab a small amount to nourish the skin around the eye with your pinky finger.


7. Sunscreen

Year-Round SPF: Sunscreen is used not only during the summer, but also in the winter because UV rays traverse through clouds and bounce off snow; both of these factors can also harm your skin.

  • EltaMD UV Clear Broad-Spectrum SPF 46
  • Lighweight and non-comedogenic and gentle enough for sensitive skin
  • Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel Lotion SPF 30
  • Hydrating and non-comedogenic, how to apply

As your last step in your morning care routine, apply sunscreen. And if you are going out you will have to reapply it every two hours, as stated.


8. Night Care

Night Cream or Oil: If you don't intend to leave home again, apply thick cream or even facial oil, and all that manure will be sucked into your skin during your sleep.


Recommended:

  • First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream: Spending a lot of money on skincare products can create so much irritation to the skins especially those that are dry, this product provides a lot of moisture.
  • Sunday Riley Luna Sleeping Night Oil: This has retinol and it is going to assist you in remembering new skin renewal while you’re asleep.

How to Use:

  • Apply your night cream or oil on top of your regular moisturizer and lock it in.

9. Lip Care

Moisturizing Lip Balm: Winter can dry out your lips so get one.


Recommendations

  • Burt's Bees Beeswax Lip Balm: All-natural with healthy values.
  • Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask: For overnight hydration

How to Use:

  • Lip balm: Use it often, and before bed so your lips are soft and hydrated.

10. Weekly Masks

Hydrating Masks: Give your skin a weekly hydrating mask and give them that extra moisture boost.


Recommendations:

  • Laneige Water Sleeping Mask: Overnight hydration.
  • The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% Zinc 1%: Removes pimples and oiliness, hydrates.

How to apply

  • Apply the mask once a week according to the product to attain better results.

More Winter Skincare Tips


1. Changes in Diet

Increase Omega-3 Fatty Acids. They ensure your skin is hydrated from the inside.

Hydration: Drink the right amount of water and herbal teas to maintain hydration of your skin


2. Shower Less Hot

Even though hot showers are inviting in winter, they might extract oils from your skin. Use lukewarm water and take less time showering.


3. Use A Humidifier

This will suffice to counter the dryness caused by heating indoors. It is mostly imperative at night.


4. Dressed Warmly

Wear scarves and gloves while going outdoors as well to prevent your skin from getting dry. This will combat windburn and all dryness.


5. Stress Management

Stress also has implications on your health. Exfoliate regularly and balance out your stress levels through yoga, meditation, or deep breathing exercises.


Conclusion

A good winter skincare routine keeps healthy and brightened even in the cold season. Then if you observe those care measures advocated by your dermatologist, dryness and irritation are going to be kept at bay well through this challenging season. Remember not really to forget to listen to your skin and modify the routine according in order to maintain hydration and protection throughout the season. And then, well-looked-after skin can be enjoyed even under really acute winter conditions!


Please book an appointment with the Best Dermatologist in Lahore, Karachi, Islamabad, and all major cities of Pakistan through InstaCare, or call our helpline at 03171777509 to find a verified doctor for your disease.