How to Prevent Dry Skin in Winter

January 05, 2024 by Dr. Taruna Yadav

Table of Contents

In India, the arrival of winter is a much-anticipated respite from the relentless summer heat. It brings a sense of festivity, cozy blankets, and steaming cups of chai. However, the joyous celebrations are often accompanied by the dreaded winter dryness.

Even for those with oily skin, winter brings an unwelcome spell of dryness. Combine this with the reluctance to hydrate adequately and heaters on full blast can leave your skin feeling as dry as a twig in desperate need of moisture.

This blog is here to help you out. Read on to discover simple yet effective solutions to keep your skin glowing and moisturised during this winter season.

What Causes Dry Skin in Winter?

Dry skin during winter results from various environmental factors and changes in our routines. The cold weather outside brings with it a drop in humidity levels, causing moisture to evaporate more quickly from the skin. Indoors, using heaters further depletes the air of moisture, leaving our skin dehydrated.

Additionally, although comforting, indulging in long, hot showers can strip away the skin’s natural oils, worsening the winter dry skin problem. The brisk, chilly winds can also compromise the skin’s protective barrier, making it more susceptible to losing moisture. Moreover, during winter, many people tend to drink less water, leading to dehydration that affects the skin’s health. Reduced sebum production in colder temperatures also contributes to dry skin in winter. A lack of proper skin care routines can further aggravate this condition.

Understanding the causes enables us to take proactive steps to combat and prevent dry skin in winter and maintain its health and moisture levels.

Prevent Dry Skin in Winter

Moisturization is essential in preventing dry skin in winter. It serves as a vital shield, replenishing lost moisture and fortifying the skin’s natural barrier against harsh weather conditions. By applying face moisturizers, you not only hydrate the skin but also lock in the existing moisture, preventing it from evaporating.

Regular and appropriate moisturisation helps maintain skin elasticity, suppleness, and a healthy glow, preventing the dryness and discomfort often associated with the colder months.

Facial Care

Facial care during winter is crucial to prevent dry skin in winter, as our face often bears the initial signs of dryness. It’s common to notice the telltale signs – dry skin around the nose, flakiness near the mouth, or a general tightness across the face. The delicate skin on our face is particularly prone to dehydration during colder months due to harsh winds and low humidity levels. This vulnerability often leads to discomfort and visible dry patches, highlighting the importance of a specialized skincare routine to combat winter’s effects on our facial skin.

Exfoliate the Winter Dryness Away

Exfoliating helps eliminate the buildup of dead skin cells, a common occurrence due to dry weather. By gently removing these dead cells, exfoliation unclogs pores and encourages the absorption of moisturisers and serums, allowing them to nourish the skin deeply. It stimulates cell turnover, fostering the growth of new, healthier skin cells, revitalising your complexion and combating the dullness often associated with dry skin in winter.

However, it’s important to opt for mild exfoliants that won’t aggravate the skin. The Forest Essentials’ Facial Scrub Black Sesame & Jaggery is a unique formulation for dry skin to gently wash the day away. Enriched with extra nourishing ingredients that exfoliate, cleanse & moisturize in a single step.

Layer On the Skincare

Consider incorporating a pre-moisturiser or essence into your routine. These lightweight products prepare the skin to absorb subsequent skincare layers better, enhancing your moisturiser’s effectiveness.

The Forest Essentials’ Advanced Sanjeevani Beauty Elixir is a silken pre-moisturizer that contains the legendary Sanjeevani herb which drenches the skin in a surge of moisture with restorative and anti-ageing properties and is infused with high-performance actives including Folic Acid Ferment Filtrate Extract and Hyaluronic Acid.

Choosing the Right Face Cream for Dry Skin in Winters

As the temperature drops, transition to thicker, creamier moisturizers containing ingredients like ghee, nourishing butters, and oils such as almond, coconut etc. that provide deep hydration and create a protective barrier against harsh elements to prevent dry skin in winter.

The Forest Essentials’ Advanced Eternal Youth Formula Date & Litchi is an ancient formulation from the early 17th century, made with the most effective and precious Ayurvedic ingredients, including Sweet Almond Oil, fermented Litchi juice and Date extracts, which are traditionally known to revitalise the skin. This face moisturizer deeply nourishes and plumps dry, dehydrated skin.

Body Care

While we usually pay a lot of attention to caring for our face in winter, it’s just as important to look after the rest of our body. Winter dryness doesn’t only affect our face; it can make our whole body feel dry and itchy, too. Forgetting to moisturise our body can lead to uncomfortable dry patches and rough skin. So, using body lotion cream to keep our entire body hydrated and protected during the cold season is important.

Seal in the Moisture

Consider using the Forest Essentials’ After Bath Oils to seal in moisture while the skin is still damp. These oils create a protective layer, preventing moisture loss and leaving your skin soft and supple.

Layering with Rich Creams

Follow up the oil application with a rich body cream. These thicker formulations further lock in moisture, providing long-lasting hydration and preventing dryness throughout the day.

The Forest Essentials’ Radiance Renewal Body Creams Vitamin E deeply nourish and soften the skin. They contain moisturizing ingredients which add glow and repair the skin while keeping it smooth and supple.

Home Remedies for Dry Skin in Winter

Implementing simple home remedies can make a significant difference in preventing dry skin. When incorporated into your daily life, these uncomplicated routines can work wonders in maintaining skin hydration and combating the discomfort of dryness.

Abhyanga (Oil Massage): Abhyanga, a traditional Ayurvedic oil massage, involves using warm herbal oils to massage the body. This practice helps improve circulation, deeply nourishes the skin, and enhances moisture retention. Virgin Coconut & Almond Oils are commonly used for their hydrating properties.
Ghee (Clarified Butter): Massaging warm ghee onto dry patches or areas of the skin can provide deep hydration. Ghee is highly nourishing and helps replenish lost moisture, leaving the skin soft and supple.
Internal Hydration: Ayurveda emphasises internal hydration. Drinking warm water infused with spices like cinnamon, ginger, or turmeric can aid digestion and indirectly benefit skin health by promoting proper hydration from within.

Conclusion

Incorporating these facial and body care routines and the mentioned home remedies into your winter regime can work wonders for your skin. By adopting these simple yet effective practices, you’re not just preventing dryness but actively nurturing your skin’s health.

Remember, consistency is key. So, stay committed, whether it’s embracing hydrating facial rituals, nourishing your body, or trying out these natural remedies. Your skin will thank you with a healthy glow.

FAQS

Why skin gets dry in winter?

Skin tends to get dry in winter due to low humidity levels, cold winds, indoor heating, reduced sebum production, and frequent hot showers, all of which strip moisture from the skin, leading to dryness.

How to get rid of dry skin in winter?

A few ways to get rid of dry skin in winter:
1. Exfoliate gently to remove dead skin cells.
2. Use a thick, emollient moisturiser to seal in the moisture.
3. Use a humidifier to increase moisture indoors.
4. Drink plenty of water to hydrate from within.

What happens if your skin gets too dry?

Excessive dryness can cause itching, flaking, and cracked skin, leading to discomfort, increased sensitivity, and a higher risk of infections due to compromised skin barriers.

What can make dry skin worse?

Dry skin can worsen due to the following factors:
Harsh cleansers that strip natural oils.
Not moisturising regularly.
Hot water showers or baths that further dehydrate the skin.
Low humidity levels, especially indoors during winter.

References

https://www.health.harvard.edu/womens-health/what-to-do-about-dry-skin-in-winter

https://www.vogue.in/beauty/content/skin-care-tips-for-winter-dry-skin-remedies-best-products

https://www.vogue.com/article/how-to-get-rid-of-dry-skin-winter-eye-cream-face-serum-mask-scrub

https://www.harpersbazaar.com/beauty/skin-care/advice/a4705/winter-skin-care-tips

Written By:

Forest Essentials Luxurious Ayurveda

India’s leading beauty brand with products offering a sensorial journey with the purest natural ingredients and traditional Ayurvedic formulations, bringing timeless beauty rituals to the forefront of your self-care routine.

Reviewed By:

Arjun Singh Senior Ayurveda Expert

Arjun is a marketing professional turned Ayurveda Expert. After the completion of his post-graduation in 2008, he started his journey in the beauty industry. He has since worked with several global luxury beauty brands including DIOR & Estee Lauder. With now more than 12 years of experience, he is driven by the idea of making Skin Care, ‘simple’ and ‘accessible’ for all and help clients transform their lifestyle and skin with solutions rooted in his extensive understanding of Ayurveda. A Senior Ayurveda Expert at Forest Essentials, he carefully curates Ayurvedic remedies and is continuously working towards bridging the gap between time-honoured skin care solutions and the modern consumer of the fast-paced world.

Disclaimer

The content provided in this blog is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.