Winter Skincare Routine - 3 Steps for a Healthy Glowing Skin

Your skin is a very important part of your body that needs extra care, especially in winter. Usually, the skin feels patchy, dry and often itchy in winters. It is essential to have a winter skincare routine for healthy and glowing skin.

Along with cold temperature and low humidity, it brings a lot of dryness which is harsh on your skin.

We typically look for moisturizers or creams to make our skin soft and hydrated, but most skincare essentials have chemicals like sulfates and parabens that make the appearance bright but are harmful to the skin in the longer term, with even issues like eczema or psoriasis.

Here’s a natural and simple winter skincare routine for glowing skin that you can follow to keep your skin healthy and fresh during winter:

3 Best Winter Skincare Routine for Glowing Skin You Should Follow:

1. Use natural cleansers and exfoliators to remove dirt and dead skin cells:

Turmeric-based scrubs have dual benefits. 

• They are deep acting to cleanse, exfoliate and work to prevent and address minor skin issues like acne and black-heads. 
• The antioxidants present in turmeric reduce the damage to your skin caused by dryness during winter. 

Natural or ayurvedic products like ubtans, uthane, scrubs or exfoliators are nature-based products that cause no harm to the skin and also are affordable. Turmeric-based products are the best. If modern lifestyle of busy routines and not wanting the mess or the stains, one can add turmeric essential oil to a home-made scrub. 

2. Apply oils or body butters after shower to hydrate and moisturize:

Everyone is aware of the fact that skin must be well moisturized during the winter season. Most commercially available moisturizers have many harmful chemicals like parabens and sulphates. So it is best to use natural oils and butters, which are time-tested. In the Indian traditions, an oil bath with mustard oil or spice-infused sesame oil are recommended before a bath. In modern lives, with paucity of time, one can use a light weight oil (like cold-pressed sesame or almond or olive oil) or body butter (kokum, mango, shea or cocoa butter) post bath on a moist skin. 

Cold-pressed vegetable oils penetrate deep into the layers of the skin, fill up the intra-cellular spaces with natural lipids which keep the skin cells cohesive. Some oils have additional properties of delaying the ageing process of the cells like coconut oil which works on boosting the collagen while some like sesame work on repairing the elastin and keeping the muscle and skin tone. Some oils like sesame oil offer natural sun-protection protection too.

Body butters are seed oils which are solid at room temperatures. They have a thick consistency. When applied to the skin, they do not let moisture escape, keeping your skin soft and fresh. 

Cold-pressed vegetable oils and butters are a good substitute for moisturizers and are rich in Vitamins A, C, and E which protect the skin from any kind of harmful exposure. 

Specifically for moisturising, they perform a dual role - 

• They help to prevent dehydration of the skin 
• They moisturize it with the natural lipids present in them

For an extra-special boost and protection, Add anti-oxidant-rich essential oils to the body oils or butters. Essential oils have antioxidants which prevent and work on several issues, especially rashes caused by dryness.  But essential oils are highly potent and should be used with care. The type and the quantity used are very important. Not all of them suit everyone, and if used excessively can themselves cause they need to be used as per the manufacturer’s instructions. Some good examples are turmeric and lavender. They are more universal being suitable for babies and adults, men and women of all body types. And they have a soothing effect on skin, and are also calming for the mind.

3. Hydrate and nourish from within too, and most importantly, sleep really well

1. Water intake also counts in your winter skincare routine for glowing skin. Water maintains the pH balance of your skin, flushes toxins and also hydrates the skin which is much needed during winters. It is recommended to drink warm water often during the day.
2. Comprehending a healthy diet in your winter skincare routine for glowing skin will also help in taking care of your skin.

Some Vegetables Which Help in Keeping the Skin Healthy and Glowing in Winter are:

• Carrots: They have antioxidants that prevent damage to skin cells and increase the elasticity of the cells.
• Beetroot: Purifies blood and removes toxins resulting in the skin to be glowing and healthy
• Leafy Vegetables: Rich in vitamins and minerals help in the repair of damaged skin cells, but one needs to ensure that they are cooked well

Sleep ensures that the cells have adequate time to regenerate and lack of sleep leads to additional dehydration. Lack of sleep leads to dull-looking skin, dark circles and also hair fall. But partying and late nights are inevitable during the festive and holiday season.

For ensuring good sleep, recommended as per the Ayurvedic daily routine or Dinacharya, massage the soles of your feet at night before sleeping. The best oils are mustard oil and ginger or pepper-infused sesame oil.

Winter is a harsh season for the skin. Make sure you’re giving enough attention to your body and skin for the extra nourishment and care that it needs.