The winter season brings relief from heat and humidity and even comfort and coziness, which most people love. But as soon as the temperature drops, the cold, dry winds and indoor heating system together rob our skin’s natural moisture and oils and compromise our skin's protective barrier. So, we end up having dry/dull, flaking, cracked, sensitive, and itchy skin. Also, if psoriasis or eczema exists, it exacerbates.
Dermatologist in Bangalore, Dr. Rasya Dixit, assures that with requisite knowledge about winter-proofing skin, the winter dryness and damage are avoidable!
Here are some habits to avoid and combat winter havoc on the skin. Remember, our goal is to repair and reinforce our skin barrier.
Expert-Backed Tips to Prevent Winter Dryness and Damage
1. Deeply nourish and hydrate the skin.
- Ensure twice daily cleansing of the skin with a mild, non-scented, hydrating cleanser without alcohol and surfactants
- Immediately on the clean, damp skin, apply rich, creamy moisturiser. Look for moisturisers with occlusives, humectants, and emollients to keep skin hydrated for long and ensure a strong lipid barrier
- Also, consider incorporating hydrating serums in your routine. Repair and hydrate the winter-stressed skin with serums containing niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, panthenol, and peptides. Once or twice a week, feel free to use hydrating masks.
2. Protect the skin.
- To avoid dryness and damage during a bath, use only lukewarm water
- Shield the skin from cold, dry air and wind with proper clothing, and the sun’s UV with broad-spectrum sunscreen when stepping outdoors
- Also, avoid over-stripping of the skin with the use of harsh exfoliants or scrubs; instead, use mild chemical exfoliants like glycolic acid and lactic acid
- Do not forget the protection of the hands and lips. Use petroleum jelly or thick balms on lips and apply a barrier-rich hand cream following every wash.
3. Adjust diet and water intake.
Drink plenty of water daily to stay hydrated from within and support the skin’s health/barrier function.
Also, keep skin healthy by increasing intake of foods rich in antioxidants and omega-3 fatty acids.
4. Prevent indoor dryness.
Run a humidifier in the bedroom to add moisture to the indoor air.
5. Choose skin-friendly fabrics.
Do not wear heavy winter clothes directly against the skin. Wear soft, breathable fabric as the base layer and then wear woolen clothes to avoid friction and irritation of the skin.
Winter Skincare Routine: Dermatologist-Approved Steps
Be consistent with the following recommended morning and evening skincare routine to have no dry, damaged skin in winter. Make sure that the products chosen are suitable for the skin type.
Morning Winter Routine:
- Gently cleanse the skin- Cleanse with a gentle, hydrating facial cleanser, if having extremely dry and sensitive skin, with a hydrating cleanser combined with salicylic acid, if having oily skin, or a natural hydrating cleanser with skin brightening ingredients, if having combination skin.
- Moisturise- Within 3 minutes of taking a bath or washing face, use moisturiser, lip balm, and hand cream to seal in the surface-level moisture in the skin.
Select the right moisturiser that suits your skin type. If you have dry skin, apply a creamy or oily, rich moisturiser with shea butter, ceramides, cocoa butter, and jojoba or almond oil as ingredients.
If you have oily or combination skin, use a water-based, lightweight moisturizer with ingredients like niacinamide, such that there is regulated sebum production and no risk of acne breakouts, and if you have sensitive skin, apply a gentle, mildly scented, hypoallergenic moisturizer.
- Sun-protect- Use a broad-spectrum, hydrating sunscreen of SPF 30 or higher on all exposed skin before heading out in the daytime.
Evening Winter Routine:
- Double cleanse the skin- First use micellar water to remove make-up and then use a hydrating, mild cleanser to thoroughly clean.
- Use hydrating serum and moisturiser/night cream- Use rich or layered-textured serum followed by skin-repair night cream, if having dry skin. Use a lightweight serum followed by oil-free moisturiser if you have oily/combination skin. Use gentle, less-scented serum and thick night cream if you have sensitive skin.
Most Effective Dermatologist Treatments for Winter Dryness and Damage
For severe dryness and damage to the skin in winters, a dermatologist recommends the following professional treatments:
- HydraFacial- It involves cleansing, exfoliation, extraction, and infusion of the skin with hydrating serums with the help of vortex fusion technology.
- Hyaluronic acid injectables- Hyaluronic acid is a natural hydration booster that, when delivered into the dermis, restores the lost water and lipid content and repairs the compromised skin barrier.
- Barrier repair or medical-grade facial- This is a therapeutic facial where the dry, flaky skin is first removed with low-abrasion exfoliation and then the skin barrier is rebuilt with infusion of hydrating serums containing lipids and serums.
- LED light therapy or low-level fractional lasers- Such light-based treatments are used to provide collagen remodeling and restore evenly textured skin.
FAQs on Winter Skin Care
Why does my skin get dry and damaged in the winter?
Winter months are dry and cold. People have limited sunlight exposure and prefer indoor heating as well as a hot bath/shower. All this contributes to dry, flaky, and tight skin.
Why should I switch to a winter skincare routine?
As winters bring dry and damaged skin, one should follow a skincare routine that focuses on hydration and skin barrier repair/strengthening.
How can I stop my skin from getting dry in winter?
Some skincare habits and lifestyle adjustments will help. Have a detailed discussion about it with a dermatologist.
When should I seek a dermatologist's help for winter dryness and damage?
Consult a dermatologist if you have extreme redness, itching, flaking, scaling, cracking, or bleeding; a spreading rash; or signs of infection.
How to repair winter-damaged skin?
A good dermatologist can best guide on winter skincare routine changes, internal care, and lifestyle adjustments, and even provide targeted treatments to keep skin healthy and balanced.
Maintain a Healthy, Supple Glow All Winter Long with Tailored Care and Treatments
Dr. Rasya Dixit is a reputed dermatologist in Bangalore who is dedicated to strengthening the skin barrier, replenishing hydration, and preventing winter damage by all safe means.
To consult her for your winter skin concerns, schedule a consultation at Dr. Dixit Cosmetic Dermatology Clinic today.
