The cold air that comes with winter may feel good on your skin but we here at Oladoc can confirm that it is anything but. Winter’s frigid weather will leave your skin dry, irritated and itchy so the end of summer can mean a lot of trouble for people who care about their skin, but it doesn’t have to be this way. Here are our 5 favourite skincare hacks that will make your winter fun again:
Change up your shower technique
In order for your skin to avoid dryness and face the harsh winter air, it needs all the protection it can get and how you shower is a big deciding factor when it comes to your skin’s natural defences. Hot showers for example, may feel wonderful but end up doing a large amount of damage, completely stripping your skin of moisture and the natural oils that keep it there. The removal of this layer of oils will make your skin more prone to dryness so it is best to use lukewarm water to shower or bathe.
Similarly, using harsh soaps will also remove this layer of oils, although it will make you cleaner. Experts, such as renowned dermatologist Dr. Sadaf Amin, recommend using body wash or skin friendly soaps while showering to avoid this problem. Lowering your shower time to 5-10 minutes will also help your skin retain moisture.
Moisturise, Moisturise, Moisturise
We cannot stress this one enough, regularly moisturising may be one of the most important skin care habits you can adopt in the winter. It can make or break a skincare routine, but it has to be done in the right way. Although lotions work very well in the summer, in the winter it’s best to stick to creams and ointments. Your hands in particular will need the most moisturisation, since they are often exposed to the weather. Moisturising your hands after every time you wash them is generally a good practice, especially since you have to wash them so regularly due to COVID.
You should moisturise the rest of your body around once or twice a day as well if you are keeping yourself covered for most of the day, which brings us to our next tip
Keep it all Under Wrap
A great way to protect yourself from the harsh elements is to cover up your hands, feet and face when you go outside. This will prevent the cold air from drying out your skin and keep you healthy and warm. A great way to do this is to apply your moisturising cream/ointment right before you cover up, this increases the effectiveness of the product you are using. Many experts also recommend doing this overnight, applying your moisturiser and then putting on gloves just before bed, this can help your hands feel incredibly soft in the morning and can really kick your skincare routine into high gear. You could also do the same with your feet by using socks.
Exfoliate
Even if you follow all the skincare guides on the internet, you will still end up with a little dry skin build up on various parts of your body, particularly your hands. Which is why it is important to not let this hurt your progress by exfoliating once or twice a week. This will clear up all the flakes of dry skin that are clogging up your pores and will reveal the better, more hydrated skin that is hiding just underneath the surface.
Watch What you Eat
Although most skincare tips and products are external, there is also an incredibly important internal dimension to having soft glowing skin. Altering your diet to include more seasonal fruits and antioxidants can go a long way to keeping your skin healthy. Make sure you are drinking enough water and add some berries to your diet so your body gets the nutrients it needs to maintain the quality of your skin.
If you need help with a specific skin issue or want more specialized advice, you should get in touch with the best skin specialist in Lahore for advice.
