For people with very oily skin winter can be a great time to enjoy without washing their face very often to get rid of the excess oil, but for people with dry skin or even with normal to oily skin, winter is the time when they have to fight with the problems of dry skin spots, skin flaking and even skin itching due to dryness. Winter air lacks the moisture and coupled with the cold temperature it reaps off the moisture from the skin. Dryness of skin can also be a primary reason for formation of skin wrinkles and hence protecting your skin from dryness during winter is important. The good thing is that, if you are ready to put in the extra effort to take the best care of your facial skin you can prevent the winter dryness completely even without opting for those expensive parlor treatments. Here are some tips that can be very helpful for everyone to take care of their facial skin during winter.
Stay hydrated – Body & Face
This is the first and most important tip that can be actually helpful to keep the skin of your face in the best condition even during extreme winter. Drink sufficient amount of water at regular intervals throughout the day. Also,make it a point to drink a full glass of water as soon as you are out of the bed in the morning. During the long hours of sleep your face & body gets dehydrated and hence hydrating the face & body immediately after waking up is important.
Replace your face wash for cleansing milk
This is a very vital change that you need to make in your skin care regime to fight the dryness induced by winter air. Face washes remove the oil from the skin along with the dirt and hence they are not ideal for use during winter. Cleansing milk formulations are made keeping the needs of dry skin in mind and they do not reap off the natural moisture of the skin. Try to opt for cleansing milk that has a herbal formulation.
Do not forget to exfoliate
Your face skin needs to be exfoliated even during winter. If the dead skin cells are not removed from the upper layer of the skin properly, no matter how much moisturizer you layer up your skin will continue to feel dry. So, use a mild scrubber, if possible a homemade one, to exfoliate your facial skin twice a week. This is the best way to keep your face hydrated in winter.
The dry skin beauties can skip toning during winter
If you have dry skin and you are someone who religiously follows the cleansing, toning and moisturizing routine to maintain your skin in the best condition, winter is the time to give the toning part a miss. Dry skin does not need regular toning during winter. If you are using a toner, make sure that it is not alcohol based, because that will dry up the skin even more. It is best to stick to pure rose water for toning your skin during winter.
Moisturize, moisturize and moisturize
Moisturizing your facial skin repeatedly should be your mantra during winter because this is the most effective way to keep your skin(specially face skin) hydrated and free from the effects of the dryness of winter. Use a moisturizer depending on your skin type. If you have dry skin, opt for Sheabutter and lanolin based moisturizers that are thick in consistency and can provide adequate moisture to your skin. If you have normal skin opting for Vitamin E based creams can be a good option. For oily skinned people, skin lotions can be ideal in winter. Depending on the need of your skin, moisturize it thrice or even more times in a day.
Use a proper night cream
Using a night cream throughout the year is a skin friendly habit, but during winter it becomes a necessity. The nigh cream for winters should be of thick consistency and something that can provide all the required moisture for the whole span of the night. So, spend in a good quality product.
Lather on the SPF
Protecting your skin from the harmful UV rays of sun during winter is a must. You might enjoy the sun at least this one time in the year, but your skin will not enjoy it indeed. So, use a sunscreen with sufficient SPF to give your skin adequate protection.
Do not use very hot or very cold water to wash your face
This is something that we all do repeatedly during winter. Either we splash our face with the chilled tap water, or we wash it with hot bathing water. Very cold as well as very hot water can reap off the skin from its moisture and can result into dryness. So, use lukewarm or just normal water for washing your face.
Use makeups with hydrating properties
Makeup products that are ideal for summer days can make your skin dry and flaky during winter. So, before you take makeup, always moisturize your skin in the right way and opt for the more hydrating makeups that will not dry out your skin. Banking on CC creams or adding up moisturizer with your regular foundation are the best tricks to make your makeup winter ready.
Apart from following the above, treating your skin with some natural and moisturizing homemade face packs and treatments can be ideal to keep the dryness of winter at bay. So, read on to know the best home treatments to get a glowing and nourished skin during winter,
Papaya, banana and tomato face pack
During winter your skin lacks moisture and there can be nothing better than this face pack to give your skin a boost of all the vitamins and antioxidants along with moisture.
Take 2-3 papaya cubes, 1 ripe banana and half of a medium sized tomato. Mix all the three ingredients together in a mixer to make a smooth paste. Ensure that there are no chunks in the pack. Apply this pack onto your well-cleaned face and neck and leave on for 20-30 minutes. Wash off with normal water and pat dry. Repeat 1-2 times a week.
Honey and almond face pack
Almond is known for its extreme moisturizing abilities and honey can also give your skin the required hydration along with a dose of natural vitamins and minerals. Use this pack twice a week to get the best results.
Soak 4-5 almonds in fresh water overnight. In the morning grind them to make a paste and mix it with 1 tablespoon of honey. Apply this paste onto your face and neck; leave on for 20-30 minutes and wash off with normal water.
Orange peel and milk cream face pack
Orange peels are loaded with active ingredients that can be highly nourishing for your skin. Winter is the time when you get them in plenty and hence you should not miss to include them in your winter skin care regime.
Soak the cleaned peel of a large orange in milk overnight. In the morning make a paste of it in the mixer. Now add fresh milk cream to it in 2:1 proportion and mix together. Apply this paste onto your face and neck, leave on for 20 minutes and wash off with water to say hello to your glowing skin.
Avocado and olive oil face mask for winter
Avocado is a fruit loaded with antioxidants, vitamins and minerals and when you combine it with extra virgin olive oil what you get is the most effective face mask for fighting winter dryness.
Take a ripe avocado and smash it after removing the seed. Now add 1/2 spoon extra virgin olive oil in this paste and mix well. Apply this pack lavishly onto your face and neck area, leave on for 30 minutes and then wash off with water.
Oatmeal and egg yolk face pack
This winter face pack can give you soft and glowing skin instantly irrespective of the fall of the mercury. Use this pack 1-2 times a week or whenever you feel like and enjoy the soft, suppleness it adds to your skin.
Mix 1 tablespoon of uncooked oatmeal with the yolk of an egg to make a paste. You can also add a spoon of honey or milk to this mixture in case you find it too thick to apply. Mix all the ingredients properly and apply directly onto your face. Wait for 20-30 minutes and wash off with water.
Curd and carrot face pack
Give your skin a boost of nourishment with this carrot and curd face pack. Carrots are filled with vitamins and antioxidants that are actually great for your skin. Curd helps in fighting winter dryness and also nourishes the skin.
Take a small, fresh carrot. Wash it clean and smash it to make a smooth paste. Mix 2 spoons of this carrot paste with equal amount of curd. Apply this pack onto your face and neck, leave on for 20 minutes and wash off with water.
Aloe vera and honey face mask for winter skin care
If you are trying to fight the winter dryness a face pack made from Aloe Vera and Honey can be actually nourishing. Aloe Vera and Honey can moisturize the skin from deep within and can be very helpful to lock in the moisture. Both these ingredients have extensive skin soothing properties and they make a great pair for treating winter dryness.
Collect some Aloe vera pulp from fresh Aloe vera leaves. Now add 2 spoons of this Aloe Vera pulp with 2 spoons of pure honey. Mix the two well to make a homogenous paste and apply this pack all over your face and neck. Do not forget to clean you face before using the pack. Let it sit for 15 minutes and then wash off with plenty of normal water.
Banana and milk face pack for winter skin care
A pack made from banana and milk can be highly nourishing for the skin. Banana has some great skin friendly ingredients that can help the winter skin to stay supple and hydrated. Whole milk also has high moisturizing properties and it can work to treat the problems of uneven skin pigmentation.
Take an over ripe banana and smash it along with 3 spoons of milk to make a smooth paste. Now you can apply this pack directly onto your cleansed face. If you feel that the pack is not sticky enough to stick on the skin, add 2 spoons of honey with the pack. Let it set for 20 minutes and then remove with a wet cotton ball. Finally wash off with plenty of water.
Fenugreek and milk skin pack for winter skin care
Another face skin care pack that is highly appropriate for winter is fenugreek and milk pack. Soak handful of fenugreek seeds in whole milk overnight and in the morning grind the seeds to make a paste. Apply this paste on your face, leave on for 15 minutes and then wash off with water.
