Banish the winter woes

The cold breeze often brings with it flaking of skin, itchiness, chapped lips, acne and breakouts making our skin dry, dull and lifeless. For a nourished, radiant sheen on the face, one needs to invest time in their skincare routine.

Ways to combat skin dryness:

• As the usual cleansers rob our skin of moisture, one can start off by using a creamy facial cleanser followed by applying an oil based moisturiser for extremely dry skin. It is also advised to use serums for eyes and face to fight dryness and flakiness.
• Moisturise more than usual in winter. It is advised to use a body lotion even before one has left the shower to lock in extra moisture and nourish the skin.
• Before hitting the bed, one should always cleanse, tone and moisturise the face. One should also gently massage the body with a thick cream to avoid dryness
• Avocado oil, mineral oil and almond oil provide amazing results. They  prevent skin dryness and should be incorporated in the daily skin care routine. Lavender oil can also be applied to the skin, as it is known to help relieve roughness.
• Hydrate the skin by drinking lots of water and other fluids like juices, soups, etc.
• One’s feet require extra nourishment in winter as they are almost always covered in shoes. Moisturise feet daily as one would do the face and body. 
• It is advised not to use products with high alcohol content as they dry the skin.

Natural masks, exfoliants for the winter season:

• Take a ripe papaya and a mashed banana and mix them well. Apply this paste all over the dry skin for a nourished look.
• Adding 2 tablespoons of olive oil to bathing water prevents dry skin in winter.
• Mix one 1 tablespoon of glycerin, 1 tablespoon of lemon juice and 1 tablespoon of rose water. Apply this solution before going to sleep. Glycerin is a natural humectant and thus locks the moisture in the skin.

Other significant aspects:

• Always wear sunscreen in winter. It is a must to apply on face and body every time one ventures out in the sun. Winter sun is harsher and so the skin needs unparallel protection.
• Apply petroleum jelly on the face, lips, hands and legs to prevent drynes.
• Avoid using the hair dryer too much as it dries the hair and makes them brittle
• For chapped lips, use a lip balm with a high SPF quotient