Causes of dry and dull skin in cold weather| Best Moisturizer for Winter Dry Skin

When we think of winter, we often become excited because it not only brings chilly breezes, snowy adventures, windy but cozy nights, and stylish apparel but on the other hand, it also dries out our skin, leaving it looking dull and prone to cracking. Regardless of the skin type we prefer, the skincare regimen needs to be modified in this case. Because the gradual decrease in skin moisture during the winter causes it to become rough and uneven. To assist you in maintaining a regular skincare routine during the winter, here are some do's and don'ts outlined below.

Table of Content

1    Do's for Skin Care Routine:

                    1.1        Use moisturizing night creams

                    1.2        Double Cleanse your skin in the morning

                    1.3        Maintain a healthy and clean diet

                    1.4        Exfoliate your skin after every few days

                    1.5        Use Antioxidant Serum

                    1.6        Use Moisturizer with SPF for the day 

                    1.7        Use oil base makeup remover

                    1.8        Drink plenty of water

                    1.9        Gentle Cleanser

                    1.10       Build a regular winter skincare routine

2.    Don'ts for Skin Care Routine:

                    2.1        Avoid overly long, hot baths or shower 

                    2.2        Use of oil-removing products

                    2.3        Swim in a heavily chlorinated pool

                    2.4        Skipping moisturizer

                    2.5        Omit Sunscreen

                    2.6        Leave in makeup overnight

3.    Best Moisturizer for Winter Dry Skin

                    3.1         Rich and nourishing formula

                    3.2         Ingredients to lock in moisture

                    3.3         Fragrance-free or mild fragrance

                    3.4         Hypoallergenic and non-comedogenic

                    3.5         SPF protection

                    3.6         Skin type considerations

How to prevent dull skin in winters

Do's for Skin Care Routine:

1. Use moisturizing night creams:

The moisturizing night cream is significant for every skin type especially during winter to reduce fine lines and wrinkles while supporting skin elasticity.

Overnight moisturizer is vital in softening, hydrating, and retaining skin moisture especially when the moisturizer is rich in hyaluronic acid. So when choosing a night moisturizer it should contain some ingredients like hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, and Ceramides that help maintain and restore the skin barrier to lock in moisture for a full 12 hours. Retinol-based products are best for winter.

2. Double Cleanse your skin in the morning:

"double cleansing" involves washing your face twice: once with an oil-based cleanser and then again with a water-based one. Even after washing your face, pollutants that linger on your skin need to be thoroughly removed. As we wash our faces, an oil-based clean effectively eliminates debris, extra oil, and our makeup as well.

The ingredient that will ultimately smooth or exfoliate skin and treat acne should be included in water-based cleansers, which will target your specific skin type or condition. Double cleansing is a well-known skin care regimen step to be followed by any skin type person that will surely clean, treat, and moisturize your skin.

Double cleansing is a two-step cleansing process in the first wash it removes stubborn, pore-clogging, and acne-causing impurities. The second wash will exfoliate dead skin which leads to treating dry skin and keeping it hydrated.

3. Maintain a healthy and clean diet:

   Your skin health is directly interrelated with your eating habits. It is important to adopt a healthy diet that gives protein, vitamins, and other minerals that support skin elasticity which is called collagen. Incorporation of some important and best foods in your diet will do wonders for your skin and health too. Some of them are listed below:

• Almonds
• Avocadoes
• Bell pepper
• Fruits contain vitamin C such as oranges, grapefruit, etc
• Lemon
• Sweet potatoes
• Bell pepper
• Fish

4. Exfoliate your skin after every few days:

As we all know winter season brings dryness to our skin which sometimes could be the cause of breakouts. For treating acne, exfoliation is a necessary step of the skin care regimen. To make your skin even and smooth exfoliation is very effective that scrub out scrubbing skin every few days. People have the myth that only dry skin needs exfoliation but on the other hand, oily skin also needs to clean their clogged pores by exfoliation.

5. Use antioxidant Serum:

The serum is one of the skincare products that are useful throughout the year as long as it does not contain alcohol. Vitamin C and e are considered to be the bein serums that protect your skin barrier and help with collagen production, most importantly they bring hydration which prevents wrinkles and fine lines from forming easily.

6. Use Moisturizer with SPF for the day:

Choosing or switching to another moisturizer is probably a difficult step for anyone to prevent or deal with dryness, yeasts are still more overlooked too. In winter moisturizer needs transition as we use it the whole year but it's high time for your skin to be treated properly, particularly in this season. Moisturizers should contain hyaluronic acid and ceramides which are effective ingredients to prevent breakouts of the skin barrier. A good moisturizer accompanying sunscreen is the complete package as we shouldn't scorn the benefits of sunscreen on our skin. So it is necessary to use moisturizer and sunscreen too.

7. Use oil base-makeup remover:

Adopting the habit of oil-based make-up remover is a sound decision particularly in winter when our skin cracks after long hours of makeup. However, it is recommended for every season because it is not harmful in any case as long as a good type of oil is concerned. Oil-based makeup remover is particularly the best form of makeup remover as it cleans your skin thoroughly and deeply inside the clogged pores and removes makeup, dirt, impurities, etc. 

8. Drink plenty of Water:

Drinking plenty of water in a day is probably the most recommended advice from any skin or health expert because of its numerous health benefits for our skin. The most efficient and natural strategy to care for your general health is to make sure you drink plenty of water. You will notice particular changes in your health to ensure its benefits, such as:

Your skin's pH is balanced as a result.

It helps to keep your skin supple and keeps you feeling refreshed and moisturized.

Your body's impurities were removed by it.

Good water intake will tighten up your sagging skin. 

9. Gentle Cleanser:

Cleansers we generally use in other seasons are good for our skin and contain fragrances, parabens, and other additives that will not be suitable in this season as they possess drying properties. Avoid using face washes of oatmeal, acne control, apricot, neem, lemon, or formulated chamomile-based flavors. These flavors apparently clear your skin but actually, they are stripping natural oil from your skin.

10. Build a regular winter skin routine:

Developing a regular skincare routine is healthy for your skin health as there is a saying "Every effort has an outcome which reveals at its time" So regardless of your age, our efforts to maintain skin health will keep you looking young. 

Applying moisturizer, and face and hand creams is a must, especially after a bath. 

Using a hydrating sheet mask once a week before bed will also keep your skin moisture level balanced.

Winters Skincare tips for dull skin

Don'ts for Skin Care Routine:

1. Avoid overly long, hot baths or showers:

Long hot showers may feel wonderful on a cool winter evening, but if they become a regular part of your routine, there will be a bad impact on your skin. Overly long, hot baths or showers deplete your skin's natural oils, causing it to lose moisture and delay the production of collagen, which will eventually lead to wrinkles and more frequent breakouts. As soon as you exit the shower, immediately apply thick moisture.

2. Use of oil-removing products:

Oil-removing creams stop your skin from producing oil, which is generally beneficial in the summer but not advised in the winter as they remove your skin's natural oil, which ultimately causes severe dryness. Avoid products such as charcoal & clay etc.

3. Swim in the heavily chlorinated pool:

Swimming in a heavily chlorinated pool will also lead to dryness or skin disorder which may affect the  elasticity of your skin results in wrinkles

4. Skipping Moisturizer:

While skipping moisture on occasion is acceptable, doing so regularly will harm your skin. Moisturizer is one of the important steps of your skincare routine which shouldn't omit or forget in any case.

5. Omit Sunscreen:

Most people don't consider sunscreen as an important product for winter skincare routine however it plays an important as a protective barrier to our skin in winter too. The use of sunscreen with moisturizer will definitely work as a shield against exposure.

6. Leave in Makeup overnight:

Wearing makeup for long hours or overnight will have a bad impact on your skin as it could be the cause of clogging pores, wrinkles and fine lines, and dryness. 

Best Moisturizer for Winter Dry Skin

The best moisturizer for winter should provide intense hydration and help combat the dryness caused by cold weather. Here are some key factors to consider when choosing a moisturizer for the winter season:

1. Rich and nourishing formula:

 Look for moisturizers that have a thicker and creamier consistency. These formulas typically offer additional hydration and build a barrier of defense on the skin to stop moisture loss.

2. Ingredients to lock in moisture:

Choose moisturizers with hyaluronic acid, glycerin, ceramides, shea butter, or organic oils like jojoba or argan oil as active components. These ingredients serve to bring in and hold onto moisture, keeping your skin hydrated all day.

3. Fragrance-free or mild fragrance:

It's preferable to select fragrance-free moisturizers or those with a soft, non-irritating scent because fragrances can occasionally irritate sensitive skin.

4. Hypoallergenic and non-comedogenic:

 If you have sensitive or acne-prone skin, consider moisturizers labeled as hypoallergenic and non-comedogenic. These products are less likely to irritate your skin or trigger allergic reactions.

5. SPF protection: 

It's crucial to shield your skin from damaging UV rays year-round, even in the winter. If you spend a lot of time outside, choose a moisturizer with broad-spectrum SPF to protect your skin from the sun's rays.

6. Skin type considerations:

 When choosing a moisturizer, take into account your skin type. Choose solutions that are lightweight or oil-free if you have oily skin. Choose products that are more moisturizing and emollient for dry skin.

Remember, everyone's skin is different, so it's essential to choose a moisturizer that works well for your specific needs. For specific advice, speaking with a dermatologist could be beneficial.