Winter is setting in, with cold temperatures and snow-covered lawns outside. With the chilly wind and snow outside, it’s time to cozy up in a warm sweater and lather your skin with a heavy moisturizer. Because, winter also brings dry, flaky skin. And for that, all we need is dry skin remedies in winter.
Along with the cooler temperatures come lower humidity levels, and drier air. This results in loss of moisture from the surface of your skin. It also brings in tightness and scaling in areas such as the lips and eyelids, and often-painful cracking around fingernails (ouch!)
10 dry skin remedies in winter to keep your skin moisturized
Thankfully, there are many dry skin remedies in winter that can help you keep your skin hydrated and moisturized, during winters. All you need is a few lifestyle changes to beat the cold and keep your skin hydrated and happy.
1. Avoid long, hot showers
A steaming hot shower or bath on a chilly winter day sounds terrific, but too much hot water actually harms the skin. Hot water causes increased evaporation of your skin’s natural hydration, disturbing the skin’s moisture barrier.
Long showers with very hot water can strip away the natural oils that are needed to keep your skin hydrated. The average shower lasts around five to six minutes. So, all you need is a quick shower, and if possible, with lukewarm water.
To make your shower more hydrating, GoodGuilt recommends swapping parching harsh soaps and gels with cleansing oil or bath oil.
2. Go easy on cleansing and exfoliating
Cleansing your skin too often removes the natural oils that keep your skin hydrated. Instead, soft cleanse your skin to wipe away any excess dirt and grime without taking off too much of its natural oils. For this, you should opt for water-based cleansers.
Exfoliating your skin removes the outermost layer of the skin to reveal new, smooth skin underneath. This does help get rid of any excess oil and dirt on the surface of your skin. However, it also removes a small number of its natural oils, if done harshly.
When you remove the top layer of your skin, you’re also removing the layer of oil that protects your skin from bacteria. This means your skin is left vulnerable to infections; so be careful not to over-cleanse and scrub too hard.
3. Moisturize daily
When it’s cold outside, all you want to do is take a hot shower, dry yourself off, moisturize, and cover yourself up in your favorite cozy winter outfit. But wait! Slow down on the drying step.
Instead, dab your skin with a towel and lather moisturizer on your damp skin. The outermost layer of your skin has just been hydrated, which is the best time to seal in that water while giving your skin extra hydration.
Make sure you base your moisturizer according to your skin type (choose heavy cream-based moisturizer if you have dry skin and light moisturizer if you have oily skin) and use a moisturizer that is full of antioxidants.
Another way to keep your skin moisturized and hydrated is by giving it a layer of oil. Your skin doesn’t only need water to stay hydrated; it also needs a layer of oil that will help your skin cells produce natural oil, which keeps them soft and plump.
GoodGuilt pro-tip: Adding a few tablespoons of olive oil to your diet every day will do the trick.
4. Be careful with the astringents
While you are following your regular CTM, you should reconsider using your regular astringents. Astringents are often made with alcohol to clean off the remnants of makeup or cleanser. The alcohol in your astringent also absorbs oils, making it better to use during the summer.
Using an alcohol-based toner can end up absorbing more oil from your skin during the winter months. So, it is best to use an alcohol-free face mist that has hydrating ingredients like glycerin or natural oils.
5. Drink enough water and eat right
It’s important to drink enough water (no matter the season) so that your skin stays hydrated. You should drink 8-10 cups of water daily. Your diet plays a role in keeping your skin hydrated as well.
GoodGuilt suggest avoiding processed foods and sugars. Eat whole foods that are rich in essential vitamins, minerals, and fatty acids to keep your body and skin healthy.
It’s also important to eat foods like cucumber, lettuce, celery, etc., that are high in water content.
6. Change your skincare routine according to the season
Changing your skincare routine in due course of time is not just a trend, but a necessity. As said earlier, winters usually bring drier air with them. A new skincare routine for the winter is what you need.
You don’t have to turn your beauty regime upside down. All you need to do is introduce hydrating cleansers, heavy moisturizing creams, and a few active ingredients like bakuchiol, hyaluronic acids, and retinol into your skincare routine.
7. Take vitamin supplements
Winter means staying indoors and having less sunlight. Which means less Vitamin D for your skin.
According to studies, Vitamin D deficiency can cause dry, tight, and flaky skin. Make sure you get enough Vitamin D by taking supplements, as it is not something your body gets from food alone.
Not only Vitamin D, but you should also ensure you are not deficient in vitamin C, zinc, omega-3, and copper, as well. These vitamins can improve the health of your skin by increasing collagen production and reducing inflammation.
8. Eat enough healthy fats
What you eat, matters! During the winter, increase your intake of good fats. Nuts and seeds like chia seeds, flaxseed, walnuts, sunflower seeds, and almonds provide healthy fats.
Don’t forget avocado. It is a good source of healthy fat.
Introducing oils like olive oil and coconut oil can also save your skin from dryness during winter. You can either add them to your food prep or directly use them as moisturizers and body lotions.
9. Invest in a humidifier
Air in the winter months is usually very dry. Even the atmosphere inside our houses is dry. Since the windows are closed, the dry air stays trapped inside. Humidifiers are a great way to add moisture to your air indoors.
All you must do is put the humidifier in your bedroom, living room, or kitchen – wherever you spend most of your time. This will ensure you reap the benefits of moisture in the air.
GoodGuilt pro-tip: You can also use a humidifier in your study or any other room, where you spend a lot of time.
10. Wear comfy, cozy, and non-irritating clothes
Not only does a new skincare routine, but winter also calls for new, warm clothes as well. Unfortunately, many cold-weather fabrics can annoy your skin.
Make sure not to wear wool or rough clothing, which is in direct contact with your skin. Instead, wear light layers made of soft, breathable materials inside, and wear a cozy warm sweater above it.
There is no denying that winter months are the most challenging when it comes to keeping your skin hydrated. While the sun may be low in the sky, the cold air can have a significant impact on your skin’s moisture levels.
To ensure your skin stays hydrated, use a humidifier, drink lots of water, eat foods with high water content, and exfoliate your skin using an exfoliating scrub. And don’t forget to apply a good SPF moisturizer, even during the winter months.
If you follow these simple tips, you will be able to keep your skin hydrated (and, of course, happy) throughout the winter!
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the natural remedy for dry skin in winter?
Drinking enough water, moisturizing regularly, eating good fats, and using a humidifier are some of the natural dry skin remedies in winter.
- Which deficiency causes dry skin?
There are studies showing vitamin D deficiency can cause dry and itchy skin.
- Why does your skin get dry in winter?
In winter, the humidity drop making the air around you drier. This causes your skin to lose its moisture making it dry.
- What foods to avoid if you have dry skin?
If you have dry skin, then try avoiding the consumption of alcohol, refined carbs, coffee, sugar, and salty food.
- What to apply on dry skin in winter?
Apply heavy-based moisturizer on your skin during the winter. You can also use coconut and olive oil as a moisturizer on your skin.
