Winter Skincare Routine

By the time summer ends and we welcome autumn and winter, many of our daily routine habits changes to adapt to the demands of the new season, so should our skincare routine, as these seasons forces our skin to withstand a higher risks of dryness due to the drop of temperature and the cold air blowing against our skin. In this article we will conclude the minor changes that you need to do in your winter skincare routine that will save your skin some major   

  Cleansers  
Although the use of a gentle Cleanser on the skin, that doesn’t contain ingredients known to be overly stripping such as sodium lauryl sulfate is important regardless of the season of the year, during the winter, this is even more important. For that you must make sure you’re using an appropriate cleanser that is suitable to your skin type and is capable of getting rid of  the dirt and pollutants without exposing your skin to dryness.

 Moisturizing Cream  
Moisturizing the skin is an important and inevitable step all year round, and more important during the fall and winter seasons, so the use of a moisturizing cream with a thick creamy texture provides the skin with greater hydration and for a longer period of time, fall and winter are perfect time of the year to use moisturizing sheet masks. In addition to that here are some tips to make sure you’re safe from these over drying seasons:  

• Avoid taking long showers that are 10 minutes or longer.
• Avoid overly hot water as it can severely dry out your skin, the water should be warm.
• Hydrate from within as drinking water helps moisturize the skin from within the body.
• Wear a layer of cotton clothing underneath clothes that are made of wool to prevent them from rubbing against the skin directly, as clothes with a rough texture such as wool may lead to an allergic reaction.
• Choose a light and unscented soap, as the use of any type that contains aromatic substances may cause irritation and dryness to the skin.
• Protect your skin and hair from direct exposure to the drying wind, by using hats, gloves, scarves and coats, as these will be your skin's best friend during winter.
• Use soft towels to dry your skin after showering.
• Use creams or ointments that contain 2 or 3 hydrating agents such as glycerin, shea butter and jojoba oil.
• Use an oily or heavier lip balm that contains glycerin and Shea butter.

Always remember that low levels of temperature and humidity increase the possibility of dry skin, stoves, Air-conditioning and heaters will all contribute to dryness and further problems for the skin .

Sunscreen  
Sunscreen is one of the most important steps in your daily skin care routine, regardless of the weather. The drop in the temperatures during winter doesn’t mean the absence of UV rays. Therefore one must never skip using sunscreens as UV rays may be extra damaging in the winter when snow is reflecting them towards us in every angle.  

Exfoliating a cids and vitamin A derivatives in lower concentrations           
As the skin becomes drier and more sensitive during the winter, over exfoliation may cause some serious problems, however, it doesn’t mean you should stop exfoliating; if we commit to moisturizing the skin properly, exfoliation should not be a problem. However, it is preferable to reduce the strength of exfoliation a notch to avoid possible irritation, you can do that by either reducing the frequency of exfoliation or replace the acids with their gentler forms. Mandelic acid, which is less harsh on the skin, can be used.

  Serum  
Vitamin C serum is one of the necessary skincare steps during summer and winter, during winter however, it will be one of the steps that contribute to keeping the skin fresh, and hydrated, it will also stimulate the skin to produce collagen which will help it retain its moisture.Using serums in general can be very helpful in treating the problems created by summer’s weather.

References

• “Winter Skin Care: Keep Your Skin in Top Shape through the Cold, Dry Winter.” Reid Health, 2018.
• “Winters Don't Have to Bring Dry Skin.” Mayo Clinic Health System, 4 Jan. 2021, https://www.mayoclinichealthsystem.org/hometown -health/speaking-of-health/winters-dont-have-to-bring-dry-skin.
• “Dermatologists' Top Tips for Relieving Dry Skin.” American Academy of Dermatology, https://www.aad.org/public/everyday-care/skin-care-basics/dry/dermatologists-tips-relieve-dry-skin.