Winter got your skin dry and dull? Try these natural skincare secrets to restore moisture, heal flakes, and get healthy, glowing skin all winter.
As temperatures decrease and cold winds begin to blow, our skin is often the first to suffer the fate of winter. A drop in moisture levels and indoor heating levels can rob your skin of its natural oils, causing it to be dry, dull, and flaky. Fortunately, you can keep your skin soft, hydrated, and glowing all winter long with natural remedies and good skin care habits.
Hydrate From Within: Drink More Water
While winter might not lead to feelings of thirst, your body still needs hydration. Dehydration leads to tight, rough, and flaky skin.
Tip:
Drink at least 8 glasses of water a day, even when you aren’t thirsty.
Drink herbal teas, coconut water, or warm water with lemon for extra hydration and moisture to your skin.
Include fruits and vegetables high in water content, like cucumbers, oranges, and tomatoes, for added hydration from the inside.
Move to a Gentle Moisturizing Cleanser
Most foaming cleansers are often too harsh for winter; they strip away natural oils leaving the skin vulnerable and dry. Try a gentle creamy or oil-based cleanser that hydrates your skin while cleaning.
Natural options:
Raw milk is a natural cleanser which can cleanse and remove dirt, debris, and excess oils.
The combination of honey and aloe vera creates a mild cleansing gel that calms dryness.
The paste made from oatmeal and yogurt will cleanse away impurities without causing irritation.
Don’t wash your face with hot water because it will dry your skin out. Always wash your face with lukewarm water to retain moisture.
Moisturize After Bathing Right Away
When it comes to moisture, it is about timeliness. The skin absorbs moisture best when damp.
After your shower, pat the skin dry with a towel and apply thick moisturizer or natural oil when your skin is still damp to lock in moisture.
Natural moisturizer to try:
Coconut oil: loaded with fatty acids that can slow down the loss of moisture.
Shea butter: A moisturizer that penetrates deep and wraps skin for hydration.
Jojoba oil: Closely resembles the natural sebum in the skin.
Ghee (clarified butter): A traditional remedy for soft and glowing skin in Indian culture.
For extra hydration, try the double-moisturizing method morning and night.
Exfoliating is necessary at least once a week to get rid of dead skin.
Dry winter air brings out dead skin cells quickly so your skin can look dull and flaky. Exfoliating will help to eliminate this layer so that it can utilize your moisturizers effectively.
Natural Exfoliants
Honey and sugar scrub: Buffs away flakes while providing moisturization.
Oatmeal and yogurt scrub: Calms irritation and brightens dull skin.
Coffee and olive oil scrub: Boost circulation and give your skin a glow.
Don’t scrub too much — only once or twice a week is appropriate. Always wear a thick moisturizer afterward.
Use a Humidifier at Home
Heating systems in your home remove moisture, which causes your skin to feel dry and uncomfortable. A humidifier maintains moisture in your environment, and your skin will thank you for it.
Pro tip:
If you don’t have a humidifier, place a small dish of water on (or above) the heater and it will help you naturally balance humidity indoors.
Protect your skin from the elements
Among the top causes of dry hands, chapped lips, and red cheeks is going outside in cold, dry winds unprotected. Try to cover your skin whenever possible.
Before heading outside:
Apply a thick moisturizer/facial oil to act as a barrier.
Wear gloves and scarves over face and hands to minimize windburn.
Use sunscreen! Even on cloudy days, ultraviolet rays can damage your skin in winter.
Remember your Lips and Hands
Your lips and hands are more vulnerable to dryness due to their thinner skin and fewer oil glands.
For lips:
Use coconut oil (or ghee or shea butter) often throughout the day.
Once a week, use a sugar and honey lip scrub to remove dead skin.
For hands:
Before bed, massage your hands with almond oil or olive oil.
Wear cotton gloves to lock in moisture overnight.
Eat Foods that are Good for Your Skin
The type of food you eat directly affects the way your skin feels and looks. During the winter, eat foods that are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins A, C, E, and antioxidants.
Winter Skin-friendly Foods
Avocados, walnuts, and flaxseeds provide healthy fats, while carrots, spinach, and sweet potatoes provide vitamin A. Citrus fruit, berries, and bell peppers are great sources for vitamin C. For vitamin E, eat almonds and sunflower seeds. A balanced diet will help to keep your skin healthy and glowing from the inside out.
Follow a Daily Winter Skincare Regime
Consistency is really important. Below is a very simple natural winter skincare routine you can adopt on a daily basis:
In the morning:
Cleanse the skin either using raw milk or a gentle natural cleanser.
Apply either rose water or aloe vera as a toner.
Massage a facial oil (jojoba oil or almond oil) in for the hydration your skin needs.
Apply moisturizer and sunblock protection.
In the evening:
Remove any cosmetics and impurities from the skin by massaging coconut oil onto the skin.
Cleanse with a gentle natural product.
Apply a nourishing night cream or natural oil.
Finally, using a lip balm and hand cream will help maintain hydration while you sleep.
By following this very simple natural skincare regime you can ensure soft and glowing skin even during the harshest of winter conditions.
My opinion
Winter doesn’t have to mean boring, dry skin. A few natural changes to your routine and nourishing ingredients from your kitchen can help you achieve soft, healthy, and glowing skin all winter long.
Hydration, protection, and consistency are your main winter skincare supporters. So drink that water, apply your moisturizer, and let your glow shine through no matter how cold it is outside.
FAQs
1. How do I know my skin type?
To discover your skin type, wash your face and do nothing else for 30 minutes. If your skin feels tight, it is dry. If is looks shiny, it is oily. If only your T-zone (nose, forehead, chin) is oily, it is combination. If it feels normal/ balanced, it is normal. If it easily becomes red or irritated, it is sensitive.
2. How many steps should a skincare routine have?
A basic skincare routine consists of 3 foundational steps — cleanser, moisturizer, sunscreen and you may later add products like serums, exfoliants, or toners based on your skin concerns.
