Don’t your skin act unusual in winter?
In the winter, there is naturally less moisture in the air due to the environment and abrasive conditions, like the wind, cold and low humidity. Indoor factors like AC, heaters etc. can also decrease the moisture level of the air. As a result, it becomes difficult for the skin to maintain natural oils that serve as a barrier against environmental aggressors. Skin is then deprived of moisture, becoming dry and cracked as a result.
When it’s cold and windy outdoors, your skin becomes raw and red, and when it’s hot inside, both the air and your skin lose moisture and it seems as though there is no way out. Fortunately, there are various for skin care to addressing the root causes of dry skin and maintaining moisture and suppleness throughout the season, including some simple routine adjustments. Read the following tips for healthy winter skin.
1.Stay hydrated:
In the winter, a humidifier set at 60% can restore moisture to the top layer of your skin, according to Harvard Health Publishing. Due to dry air in winter(both outdoors and indoors) water readily evaporates from your body. As a prevention you must hydrate your skin properly. To control the amount of moisture in your house, you may also install a humidifier. When indoor heating is turned up in the winter, humidifiers can be beneficial in replenishing moisture in the air.
More moisture in the air can serve as a natural moisturizer, preventing skin dryness in the process. Make sure you’re drinking plenty of water i.e. around 3 liters throughout the day to maintain your skin healthy and radiant. Your skin can become more prone to drying out if you don’t drink enough fluids.
You might want to concentrate on consuming foods that are high in antioxidants and omega-3 fatty acids such as fish, sea food, nuts, seeds, plant oil etc. in addition to remaining well-hydrated. Both of these nutrients can help your body produce healthy cells, including skin cells, and shield your cells from damage caused by the environment.
Your skin and hair scalp loses its natural oils whenever you wash your hands, face, or body. Replace these oils frequently because they aid in retaining moisture. Because of this, it’s crucial to hydrate your skin after every wash, especially in the winter. To serve as a useful reminder, try keeping a bottle of moisturizer close to your sink and carrying a travel-size moisturizer with you at all times.
2.Decrease temperature of water for showering and washing face:
Most of us in Kathmandu have access to hot and cold water. Jacqueline Schaffer, dermatologist, says that cold water tightens and constricts the blood flow which gives your skin a healthier glow. According to studies, cold water closes and strengthens your skin and hair scalp, and prevent the dirt from getting in. The natural oils won’t get stripped from the skin. It also enhances blood circulation which promotes healthy skin.Hot water bathing in winter can dry out the skin, leading to develop cracks and winter eczema. One will suffer from dandruff issues. Hence, its perfect to use lukewarm water, not forgetting to apply a moisturizer that contains hyaluronic and ceramides.
3.Right diet:
Your skin is the largest organ in your body. Protecting it from outside pollutants and chemicals can be a challenge, but what you eat each day makes an even bigger difference. They make skin looks younger and smoother. With balanced diet and occasional multi-vitamin supplementation, sufficient intake of liquids and skin care are necessary. Here’s a list of all the right winter foods that can boost your skin care routine in the winter. All the foods that we list are available in Kathmandu.
a.Carrot:
Vitamin C, an antioxidant that aids in the production of collagen by the body and essential for maintaining the flexibility of your skin. It is abundant in carrots. These crunchy treats actually contain a lot of vitamin A, another antioxidant that fights cell-damaging free radicals and delays the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines.
b.Beetroot:
A glass of beetroot juice every day aids in blood purification and toxin removal, leaving your skin healthy and radiant. Using it topically on your skin can also be very beneficial. It aids in sloughing off dead skin cells, giving your skin a smoother, more supple appearance.
c.Green leafy vegetables:
In addition to being high in the skin-beneficial vitamin K, leafy vegetables like spinach, kale, mustard greens, etc. also offer anti-inflammatory effects. Sulfur concentration in leafy vegetables is high, which can help lessen flakiness and redness in the skin.
d.Berries:
Strong antioxidants found in berries aid in the battle against free radicals, which can result in wrinkles and fine lines on the skin. So grab a few berries like cranberries, blueberries and savor the acidic flavor of these treats.
e.Broccoli :
Broccoli is full of many vitamins and minerals important for skin health, including zinc, vitamin A, and vitamin C. It also contains lutein, a carotenoid that works like beta carotene. Lutein helps protect your skin from oxidative damage, which can cause your skin to become dry and wrinkled.
4.Use right skin care products:
What made your skin and hair happy in the summer may make it unhappy in the winter. You must adjust your skin and hair care regimen properly, for this reason. Using gentle skin care products is the secret to having healthy skin in the winter. To prevent removing your skin’s natural moisture barrier, choose cleansers with moisturizers. If you have acne, use products containing hyaluronic acid, hydration serums, and glycerin to help in repairing the moisture barrier of your skin. Next time you purchase a moisturizer, make sure to look for these in the ingredients.
Avoid masks and peels, astringent lotions, and any product that contains alcohol as they make your skin dry during the winter. The warm sun rays feel pleasant, but the UV rays can still damage your skin a lot. Choose a sunscreen that has titanium dioxide or zinc oxide, as suggested by the best dermatologist.
Getting rid of dead skin cells on the skin involves exfoliation. Extra caution is needed in winter because the dry and chilly weather has already damaged your skin‘s protective barrier. It’s acceptable to exfoliate your skin once per week to promote skin regeneration and improve product absorption.Additionally, depending on your skin type, you should exfoliate. Lightly exfoliate your skin if you have really dry skin. Once a week is sufficient if you have mixed and oily skin.
5.Yoga:
Yoga practice has been proven to lower stress levels, soothe anxiety, and even improve sleep, according to research. Additionally, when you are more rested, your skin may look more bright. Your skin and hair cells heal and recover from stimuli when you’re sleeping. You can learn yoga in many yoga institute inside and outside Kathmandu valley.Here we have listed few yoga asanas for skin care in winter:
a.Bhujangasana
b.Sarvangasana
c.Dhanurasana
d.Matsyasana
e.Ustrasana
f.Uttanasana
g.Face yoga
6.Oil massage:
According to Ayurveda, when your Tridoshas or Life Energies, are out of balance, your body is more susceptible to a variety of diseases, including dry skin, also known as “Tvag Rukshyata.” The Vata and Kapha doshas are prone to aggravation in the winter. While an inflamed Kapha is the cause of the common cold, phlegm, and congestion, dryness is a Vata Dosha issue.
Oil massages using Vata-balancing Ayurvedic oils are recommended in Ayurvedic scriptures as a fantastic way to cure dry skin. To calm the Vata Dosha on your skin and give it a radiant glow in the winter, massage it each day with one of the following Ayurvedic oils. Oils like sesame oil, shatavari oil, coconut oil, bhringraj oil, almond oil are the best for massaging your skin in winter. All of these oils are available in the market of Kathmandu.
7.Regular consultation with best dermatologists:
The winter months can make skin conditions like acne, scaling, eczema, psoriasis, skin growths, and rashes worse. You can only benefit from winter skin care advice to a limited degree. The best course of action for recurrent skin issues is to consult the best dermatologist. There are many highly qualified dermatologists in Kathmandu.
By following these tips during the winter season, and with consistency and persistence, you will definitely get astonishing results. At Darpan skin and hair clinic, we provide treatments and counseling for general to severe skin problems. Our skin treatments include acne scar treatment, microneedling, electrocautery, medi peels, botox, fillers etc. for betterment of your skin. Make sure you follow the tips mentioned so that your winter will not be so cold and your skin will not beg for some care. And remember Darpan skin and hair clinic for the best skin and hair treatment and counseling.