This post is a part of Sprig & Vine’s month of wellness 2019: expect Good Food Good Vibes all January long! We will be posting content throughout January that will help you kickstart the year feeling well and good, with healthy eating hacks, feel-good recipes, and tons of wellness inspiration.
Cold temperatures coupled with drying indoor heating is the perfect recipe for distressed, confused skin. Parched, dry, itchy and raw skin is pretty much a given come winter. The same way that we dress ourselves to protect us from the cold, our skin too needs extra layers of nourishment during winter. Products that feel heavy or greasy in the summer absorb quickly into parched skin, creating a protective barrier that protects our largest organ from the cold. Our skincare routine should change just as the seasons do!
Read on to know more on how you can care for your skin during winters and keep it protected, nourished, and hydrated.
Step 1: Hydrate
Staying hydrated from the inside is key to keep your skin supple and hydrated. Make sure you’re drinking enough water (around 3 litres) throughout the day, and swap out coffee for green tea which has antioxidants. Lack of hydration will result in skin that’s dry, tight, and flaky. You can add more hydrating foods like fruits and vegetables to your diet. Supplementing with foods rich in omega-3 and omega-6 (such as oily fish, flaxseeds etc) can also help with dry skin issues.
Step 2: Cleanse
Cleanse your face with an oil or cream based cleanser — something that’s gentle and sulphate-free — and only once a day. Contrary to popular belief, you don’t actually need to use a cleanser twice a day, as excessive cleansing strips natural oils from your skin. Cleanse properly at night and then reassess your skin in the morning; usually only washing with warm water will do.
Step 3: Moisturise, moisturise, moisturise
Winter skincare calls for deep hydration; you need a richer moisturiser that will penetrate deep into the skin and keep it fresh. If you have super oily and acne-prone skin, choose something gel based that’s easy to absorb. You can also use oils if they suit your skin: massage a few drops all over your face and neck every night.
We move less during colder months, so massaging (creams or oils) helps to boost circulation and gives you truly radiant skin. Moisturise at least twice daily, or reapply as many times during the day depending on how dry your skin is.
Step 4: Don’t forget sunscreen
It’s a myth that you don’t require sunscreen during dull and grey winter days. Even if you’re not into 5-step skincare routines or use any creams/oils, applying something with SPF is a must-do all year round. If you don’t like dense creams, choose a sunscreen that’s gel based, and apply all over your face and neck daily.
Step 5: Shower etiquette
Though it might be tempting to take a long steamy shower during winter, hot water actually takes a toll on your skin. Don’t spend too long in the shower as it will further dry out your skin, and also limit over-exfoliating. Make sure you don’t dry off too roughly after the shower — lightly dab your skin to gently dry it. Pulling and rubbing on skin too much causes it to loose it’s elasticity.
If taking a bath, make sure the water’s not too hot. Add a few drops of a soothing bath oil to help you relax as well as reduce itching from dry skin.
Step 6: A little extra TLC
A little extra care never hurts. Use hydrating sheet masks once in a while, or make your own mask with hydrating pantry ingredients like oatmeal and honey. If possible, book yourself in for a facial; a professional knows best, and a good facial will help slough off the dead skin, and allow better absorption of any skincare products you’re already using.
Use a soothing balm if your skin is extra dry or mature, and don’t forget to care for chapped lips. We also love keeping bottles of hydrosols (such as a rosewater or a lavender facial mist — I swear by the Kama Ayurveda rose water mist) on hand at all times, and mist a couple of times a day to feel refreshed and instantly hydrate our skin. It works great over makeup too.
photo via @helloglow
Follow these tips and your winter skin will thank you!
What is your favourite winter skincare tip?
Let us know: leave a comment, or tag @sprigandvine.in on your photos on Facebook and Instagram with the hashtag #goodfoodpractices
Nice work..keep writing..
Great winter skincare routine.
Thank you for sharing it.