We all strive to enjoy the winter climate and carry the festive spirit along. The party season, Christmas celebrations or what can be more prolonged than the most sought after wedding season parties gives one enough reason to flaunt the perfect skin.
Dr Sirisha Singh, the founding member and Medical Director of The Skin Center gives you easy tips to achieve that perfect skin this winter so that you can look your best and rejoice the season with your family and friends.
The tips are easy to follow home-based regime which is based on your skin type and the skin sensation you experience in the extreme climate. Prevention and care comes handy with easy-to-use skin care products.
1. Use of a Cleanser:
Cleansing the skin is all important at the beginning of the day to prepare the skin and at the end, while going to bed to get rid of the dirt and grime that our skin is subjected to during the day. Even people with normal to oily skin may need to use pH neutral cleansers during winter. A harsh cleanser can irritate the skin, increase the risk of eczemas and leaves the skin feeling rough and itchy. If one has a particularly dry skin, one can use an oatmeal bath. For this, take half a cup of oatmeal, blend it in the blender and mix it in a mug of water till it is fully dissolved and leaves a milky looking fluid. One can then use this as a soap substitute.
2. Use of moisturizers:
A humectant such glycerine is usually mild and soaks inside the skin without feeling too heavy or greasy on the skin surface. If one has a collection of dead skin, then a mild exfoliant may be used to gently scrub away the dead skin. Shea butter containing moisturizers maybe more suitable for people with extremely dry skin. However, these feel greasy and are better tolerated overnight.
3. Use of sunscreens:
After the harsh summer heat, the cool weather brings a relief and the general tendency is to believe that one doesn’t need sunscreens as there is hardly any sunlight. This is purely a myth as sunscreens protect from UV light and it is the visible light index that is low in winters whereas the UV index continues to stay high. Use of a sunscreen is therefore mandatory during winters and one may use a greasier sunscreen formulation like a lotion instead of a gel.
4. Skin Care Regime:
Every individual has slightly different skin, different problem areas and different type of problems. The skin care regime therefore needs to be customized for each individual. In summary, most of us need an anti-ageing cream, perhaps a few more active agents like vitamins and a moisturizer at night. It is worthwhile seeing a Dermatologist to get a skincare regime for oneself.
5. Internal wellness:
This continues to be a requirement all through the year as a healthy skin in a reflection of good inner health. One should continue to eat healthy, drink plenty of water and exercise regularly.
These were a few tips for healthy skin during winters. The list is purely indicative and by no means exhaustive, it is meant to be a general guide. For more specific information or requirements, you may consult a Dermatologist.
