The cold, winter months are here, and if you haven’t already, it’s about time you start prepping your skin for the harsh, winter months. The loss of humidity and dip in the temperatures can zap your skin of moisture and leave it dry, dull and lacklustre.
It’s time to revamp your skincare routine to keep your skin looking soft and hydrated all through winter and beyond.
- 01. Change your face wash
- 02. Reduce shower time
- 03. Exfoliate regularly
- 04. Switch to a heavier moisturiser
- 05. Never skip sunscreen
01. Change your face wash
A cleanser forms the basis of a good skincare routine. But if you end up using the same cleanser all year round then girl… we need to talk. A gel-based cleanser is perfect for summers, but come winter and you need a thicker, creamier formula that cleanses your face without stripping your skin of moisture and drying it out. Look for cleansers that have moisturising ingredients such as oils, milk and butter as they help restore and replenish moisture to dry, winter skin.
BB picks: Dermalogica Skin Resurfacing Cleanser
02. Reduce shower time
Who doesn’t love taking hot showers in the cold winter months? Um, YOUR SKIN! This is because hot water strips your skin of moisture and essential oils, leaving it dry and parched. Therefore, take a bath with lukewarm water and on days when you just can’t resist taking a hot water shower, keep it to a duration of 10 minutes, max.
03. Exfoliate regularly
The dip in temperature and cold harsh winds cause the top layer of your skin to lose moisture and dry up, leaving your skin looking dull and flaky. A great way to deal with this issue to reveal clearer, glowing skin is to use a scrub at least two times a week. Additionally, exfoliation also prevents clogged pores, thereby reducing the chances of breakouts in winter.
BB picks: St. Ives Energizing Coconut & Coffee Scrub
04. Switch to a heavier moisturiser
Ditch the lightweight, gel-based moisturiser that you swore by throughout summer and monsoon, and switch to a heavier, cream-based formula for the winter months for better protection against skin dryness. If you have really dry skin, then apart from using a moisturiser, you may also have to include emollients or facial oils to deliver that added boost of moisture for healthy, hydrated skin.
BB picks: Lakme Absolute Argan Radiance Oil-in-Creme SPF 30 PA ++
05. Never skip sunscreen
You need to apply sunscreen all year round. Why? Well, even if the UVB rays (the ones responsible for tanning and sunburn) and the UVA rays (those responsible for issues like ageing, skin cancer and pigmentation) aren’t as harsh during the winter months, they are still damaging for the skin. Therefore, wear a good quality sunscreen of SPF 30 PA++ to keep your skin protected from sun damage.
BB picks: Pond’s Sun Protect Non-Oily Sunscreen SPF 50
Written by Urvi Dalal on Nov 17, 2020
Writer, avid reader and hardcore beauty enthusiast is the best way to describe Urvi Dalal. With over 5 years of writing experience in the beauty industry, you can trust her to have the latest skin, hair and makeup tidbits on her fingertips. In her time working as a beauty writer, she has had the opportunity to interact and work closely with a string of dermatologists, makeup artists and hairstylists. All that knowledge exchange, coupled with her flair and love for writing make it possible for her to bring you some authentic yet fun beauty content. When Urvi isn’t working, you’d usually catch her curled up with a big, fat book, drinking a cup of tea or practising her makeup skills; there is no in-between!