Your face is a big part of your personality and proves to be a huge deciding factor when it comes to first impressions. It needs a lot of keeping up. During the winter season, your skin can get drier than usual. Even people with oily skin can feel their skin dry up. Your skin needs lots of moisturizing and hydration to be plump during the dry winter days.
The skin types present in people throughout the world are:-
Normal Skin– Normal skin people are blessed with this skin type as any kind of product is suitable for them and their skin remains normal in any weather condition.
Dry Skin– When your skin lacks enough moisture and natural oils and appears flaky, this is regarded as dry skin. Dry skin people have to take extra care to keep their face hydrated.
Oily Skin– When your skin produces extra oil glands and secrete oil through the pores then it can be considered oily skin.
Combination Skin– Combination skin people have both dry and oily parts of skin throughout their face. The forehead and nose area are especially oily.
Sensitive Skin– People with skin have to do high maintenance for their face as no product is perfectly suitable for their skin. Sensitive skin can cause lots of breakouts and acne if not taken properly care of.
Why does skin get dry during Winter?
Your face secretes sebum which keeps your skin from getting dry. During winter, due to the lack of humidity in the environment, the oil can escape your face. Winters can evaporate your face’s moisture and cause flaky, itchy, and inflamed dry skin.
The evaporation of water from the skin can be termed Trans Epidermal Water Loss or TEWL or TWL for short. Trans epidermal water loss states that it is the amount of water evaporating through your skin to the external atmosphere due to humidity and diffusion.
Sebum Composition and Protection against Trans epidermal Water Loss:-
The hair follicles on your face have a sebaceous gland which results in sebum secretion. Sebum is a natural oil consisting of wax esters, squalene, cellular debris, and triglycerides. Your skin can appear dry due to underactive glands of sebum.
You need the perfect amount of hydration and moisturization for your skin to avoid Trans Epidermal Water Loss. Hydration is the process of your face retaining water to keep the skin healthy and moisturizers can help hydrate the water molecules on your face.
Difference between Moisturizers and Humectants:-
Moisturizers have the primary goal of smoothening and softening the skin and increasing its water content so that it appears less flaky. An example of a moisturizer is Cocoa Butter. It is also preventive against Trans Epidermal Water Loss.
Humectants, on the other hand, can absorb water from the air and dermal layers of the skin and bring them back to the epidermal surface. This can also help your face retain its moisture level. One of the most common humectants is Aloe Vera which can be found in every Indian household.
Here are the tips to prevent your skin from getting dry during winter.
Tips to prevent skin from getting dry in winter
- Showers– During winter, try not to take hot showers. Instead, take warm water baths to prevent your skin from further drying up.
- Soaps and Face wash– Instead of using harsh chemical-filled body soaps and face washes, you should use organic ones. Chemical face washes can accelerate the speed of skin drying.
- Moisturize– You should immediately moisturize your face after a shower. Moisturizers can lock water levels on your skin and prevent further water loss.
- Face care– Do not wear harsh makeup during winter. Makeup with harmful chemicals can cause damage to your face and skin and dry it from the inside.
- Face Cream– Instead of using face lotions, use a face cream with ingredients like jojoba oil, cocoa, and Aloe Vera in them. These ingredients are known to be very effective for dry skin and can moisture-lock your skin for a few hours.
- Humidify– During winters, the chances are the atmosphere around you is devoid of humidity. You can turn on your mist humidifier and humidify the air to prevent further drying of the skin. If a humidifier is unavailable at home, you can use a plastic spray bottle and fill it with water and spray when your skin feels tight and moistureless.
- Water– Even though your water intake might lessen during winter time, you have to make sure you are getting enough water in your body for it to remain healthy.
- Warm clothes– While you are going out, make sure to protect your skin from the cold winds.
- Moisturize your Lips– Your lips are also a very important part of your face, so make sure to treat your chapped lips with a layer of petroleum jelly or any lip balm of your own choice.
- Balanced Diet- When you take care of your skin from the outside, you must take care of it from the inside as well. Eating a fulfilling and balanced diet can help improve your skin from any kind of health-related issue. If you are not sure what to eat and what to avoid, try consulting with a certified dietitian for an expert-recommended diet plan.
It is always better to go for the natural route when it comes to skincare. Natural ingredients are much nicer on the skin and do not cause any allergic reactions. But you should always consult with a certified dermatologist if you are allergic to any product before trying out any new home remedies.
Here are some natural remedies for you to conquer the battle of winter dry face.
Natural remedies for dry face in winter
- Coconut Oil– One of the best ingredients for improving your skin is coconut. It is found in every household and is one of the key items found in every kitchen. You can apply the oil directly on to your skin or use it in one of your home recipes for skin improvement. Coconut is said to increase and hydrate the lipid layers of your skin.
- Milk – Milk has phospholipids which can help dry skin. Taking a milk bath or drinking milk can improve your dry skin in wintertime.
- Honey– Honey is said to have anti-inflammatory, nourishing, and hydrating properties which are very helpful against winter dry skin. Adding honey to any face pack or face cream can repair the damaged dermal layers on your face.
- Aloe Vera– This plant is the best ingredient for any skin-related issue. It helps repair damaged skin, hydrates the skin, nourishes it, makes it softer and plumper with every use, and is an easily available household item. Any toner, moisturizer, cream, or face pack containing Aloe Vera is incredibly powerful against fixing dry skin. Just split the Aloe leaves in half and scoop the gel from the middle. If you are unable to acquire the Aloe plant, just make sure to buy a 100% natural aloe gel from the store.
- Oatmeal– Oatmeal has anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties and is perfectly suitable to cure dry skin or remove dead skin cells. Add a bit of oatmeal powder during your bath or use it in a face scrub to get rid of all the nasty dead skin cells and make your face squeaky clean instantly.
- Curd– The lactic acid present in curd is helpful for exfoliating and nourishing your dry skin during winter. Add it to any face pack or face scrub and see it work its magic on your skin.
- Petroleum Jelly– This thick ingredient is perfect for dry humidity and fewer winters. Your face is incredibly dry during winters and a thick coat of petroleum jelly is perfect to combat the flaky winter skin.
- Shea Butter– Shea Butter extracted from shea tree nuts is an excellent emollient and has healing and anti-inflammatory properties. It helps repair dry skin and contributes to skin healing.
- Avocado– Avocado is rich in vitamins and antioxidants which can be a blessing for flaky, itchy, red dry skin. Adding it in masks and face scrubs or simply adding this to your meals can help improve your skin conditions.
If you can’t find the perfect face pack recipe to try, here are some for you to make yourself at home.
Face pack recipes for Dry Skin
Coffee Pack
Ingredients-
- Coffee
- Cocoa powder
- Honey
- Milk
Procedure-
- Add a tablespoon of coffee, cocoa powder honey, and milk, and the ingredients together well to form a nice paste.
- Apply it on to your face with a brush or if you are applying with your hands, make sure to wash it beforehand.
- Keep it on your face for about twenty minutes before washing it off with lukewarm water.
- You can use this pack once every week.
Curd Pack
Ingredients-
- Curd
- Honey
- Turmeric
Procedure-
- Add one tablespoon of curd, honey, and a bit of turmeric, and mix everything really well.
- Apply it to your face and your neck as well if you like.
- Leave that on for about 25 minutes and wash it off with water.
- Repeat this once every week for a clean, smooth face.
Honey Face Pack
Ingredients-
- Honey
- Rosewater
- Lemon juice
Procedure-
- Add a tablespoon of honey into a bowl and mix rosewater and lemon juice in it. Mix everything up well.
- Apply it to your face and you can even apply in to your neck.
- Let it dry for about twelve to fifteen minutes.
- Wash it off with semi-warm water and pat your skin dry with a towel.
- Apply a moisturizer immediately after it.
- You can do this pack twice every week.
Avocado Pack
Ingredients-
- Mashed up avocado( deseeded)
- Honey
- Rosewater
Procedure-
- Mix 2-3 tablespoons of avocado and add the rosewater and a tablespoon of honey into it.
- Apply it to your face evenly.
- Let it dry for about twelve to fifteen minutes.
- Wash it off with semi-warm water and pat your skin dry with a cotton towel.
- Apply a moisturizer immediately after it.
- You can do this pack 1 time every week.
The cold winters can wreak havoc on your skin if not taken properly care of. Your skin especially your face requires more attention and is very different from the rest of your body. So during the lazy, dry winters, if you are not going out applying a thick layer of moisturizer and making yourself a cup of coffee and watching your favorite show or curling up with a good book is the best. If you are going out just make sure to moisturize and bundle up with warm clothes. If the dryness seems severe make sure to consult a skin expert and get everything check out. Stay safe and healthy during the harsh winter times.
FAQs
1. What causes dry skin in the winter?
Dry skin in the winter can be caused by a combination of factors, such as cold weather, low humidity, and harsh soaps and detergents. Additionally, if you live in an area with hard water, it can further aggravate your skin.
2. How can I prevent my skin from becoming dry in the winter?
The best way to prevent your skin from becoming dry in the winter is to moisturize regularly and avoid taking long, hot showers or baths. Additionally, you can invest in a humidifier to keep the air in your home moist.
3. What are some natural remedies for dry skin?
Some natural remedies for dry skin include applying coconut oil, aloe vera, or shea butter to your skin. Additionally, you can make a face mask with honey, avocado, and olive oil to help moisturize your skin.
4. What is the best moisturizer for dry winter skin?
The best moisturizer for dry winter skin is one that contains hyaluronic acid, glycerin, ceramides, and essential fatty acids. Additionally, look for a moisturizer that is free of fragrances and dyes.
5. How often should I moisturize my face in the winter?
You should moisturize your face at least twice a day in the winter. Additionally, you should apply a heavier moisturizer at night before going to bed.
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(Reviewed by Dr. Samiksha Rane)
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