Special ways to keep skin healthy and attractive in winters

Our skin suffers as the days become shorter and the temperature begins to fall where the skin feels dry, tight and uncomfortable due to the chilly, dry air but don’t worry, we have got you all covered. The requirements of your skin change along with the seasons so, in an effort to prevent your skin from suffering, you must continue to change your skincare regimen.

The harsh winter winds can do terrible things to your skin, causing everything from dryness and itching to serious disorders like eczema and psoriasis. It’s ideal to keep a regimen as uncomplicated and uncluttered as possible while treating dry winter skin.

Not only to feel better but also look more young, a simple daily regimen will prevent overloading your skin with needless products like toners or tons of makeup that could aggravate the sensitive skin in winters. In an interview with HT Lifestyle, Dr Amit Madan, Aesthetic Physician at Madan’s Skin and Laser Centre in Lucknow, cautioned, “Everyday products and even natural substances can cause your skin to burn and itch, or become dry and red. These products include Hand and Dish soap, Laundry detergent, Shampoo, Bubble bath and Body wash or surface cleaners and disinfectants. All marketed soaps, face wash and lotion do not have skin friendly PH. Common irritants include metals (especially nickel), cigarette smoke, soaps and household cleansers, fragrances, certain fabrics like wool and polyester and bacterial ointment like neomycin and bacitracin formaldehyde, which is found in household disinfectants, some vaccines, glues and adhesives, stress. Emotional stress can be an eczema trigger.”

He recommended, “It’s important to manage and treat itchy skin. Chronic itchy skin is a universal symptom of most types of eczema. People with chronically itchy skin are more likely to experience poor sleep, and mental health issues such as depression and anxiety. According to researchers, itch and pain have a yin-yang relationship. When pain is present, the feeling of itch subsides, that’s why scratching can relieve the feeling of itchy skin. The first step to manage itchy skin is to reduce those risks which cause itchy skin in the first place. For this a daily bathing and moisturizing routine, besides using medications as prescribed is required. Wet wrap therapy also helps control itch. After bathing, applying moisturizers that replenish the skin barrier consistently and liberally throughout the day is important.”

He explained, “The normal adult stratum corneum, the outermost layer of the epidermis, is acidic with values reported in the 4–6 range. Acidic pH is necessary for antibacterial activity, barrier function, and maturation and structural integrity of the stratum corneum. Affected skin has been shown to have the highest pH on a given patient with Eczema, followed by mild effected skin being somewhat more acidic, and unaffected skin having the lowest pH. Maintaining a normal pH through appropriate therapy is well known to benefit disease states.”

Indian Dermatology Expert Board Members (DEBM) recommends moisturizers should be used as the mainstay of therapy and should be continued in all lines of therapy and in the maintenance phase. However, the moisturizer should be paraffin and paraben free and Dr Amit Madan shared, “In Eczematous skin higher pH values correspond to more intense itching and skin dryness, selection of topical agents that preserve an acidic environment seems relevant in Eczema patients. Moreover, home remedies like coconut oil, sunflower oil containing preparation and olive oil can help and then ceramics and several butters like Shea, mango, etc are good. The facial moisturizers to be used should be non-comedogenic. Apart from all this woolens should be worn over soft cotton inner wear and synthetic and tight clothing should be avoided. Emollients to be applied only on hydrated skin and oil heaters are recommended as blowers further dry the skin. Patients with chilblain should use proper warm clothing and gloves, caps and eye protection.”

Dr Saru Singh, Aesthetic Physician, asserted that it is crucial to treat your skin with extra care during the winter and listed some suggestions for winter skincare that you should remember –

1. Learn to choose the right products

It is necessary to apply lotion to the skin but choosing the proper one is tricky. Oily lotion will simply clog the pores of someone with oily skin and cause outbreaks. Make intelligent product selections based on your skin type. Your skin care products ought to be able to keep the hydration and natural oils. Avoid using any products that contain alcohol as well as peels and masks.

2. Use skincare products with Hyaluronic acid

Hyaluronic acid is a critical component in helping to increase the moisture levels of your skin, as skin minimalism is one of the hottest trends for this time. It provides barrier protection, aids in moisture retention, lessens the visibility of fine lines and wrinkles, and promotes healthy, bouncy skin that will make others envious!

3. Drink water

It goes without saying that staying hydrated is key for overall health, but it’s particularly crucial for maintaining healthy skin. Your skin becomes tired and lifeless from dehydration, which also steals its natural glow. While it’s necessary to take care of your skin on the outside, it’s also advised to drink 6 to 8 glasses of water every day, depending on your body weight.

4. Always use sunscreen

When you’re outside, the sun can cause long-term skin damage and ageing, so it’s crucial to take precautions. Wearing a hat in the sun and using a daily moisturiser with SPF will help protect your skin from UV rays, which can hasten the ageing process and cause wrinkles. Use a high SPF sunscreen with broad coverage.

5. Go for warm, not hot

In the colder months, having hot water is a blessing. Giving yourself a nice bath during this season is the best sensation ever. The bad news is that your skin despises hot water showers as much as your body does. Modifying your showering routine is one of the most important winter skincare suggestions. The keratin cells found in the skin’s outermost layer are harmed by hot water. Your skin becomes dry, itchy, and irritated when these cells are disrupted. Hot water also depletes your skin of its natural oils, leaving it even drier than before.

REMEMBER: Stay minimal, exfoliate less, moisturize right and stick to a routine.

Regular care can help but if it is ineffective, a person should see a doctor. A dermatologist may recommend the best products for you in addition to providing further helpful advice on how to completely eradicate dry patches.