Don’t let the Chill Dull Your Glow

StyleSpeak whips up the perfect recipe for radiant winter skin with some expert inputs

As the wind whips and temperatures plummet, the skin faces a new battleground – Winter! Dry air, biting winds, and indoor heating conspire to steal the skin’s precious moisture, leaving it dull, flaky, and pleading for relief. But fear not, as StyleSpeak unveils the ultimate skincare routine to conquer the harsh winters and restore the lost radiance with inputs from experts. So, get ready to turn up the hydration for glowing and healthy skin!

The Cleansing Routine

The first step in any skincare routine is cleansing, especially during winter, because with a drop in temperatures, the skin becomes dry and flaky. Skipping cleansing would mean that the pores get clogged, leading to acne and other issues. Moreover, without cleansing, the skin will not be able to oxygenate itself . Using a mild pH balanced cleanser that will not strip the skin of its moisture is best.

Toners are also a must after cleansing as they remove any residue that is left behind by the cleanser, close the pores and also normalise the pH levels in the skin. They improve the effectiveness of serums and creams that come next in the routine too. However, do not use alcohol-based toners as they tend to dry out the skin more.

The Ex Factor – Exfoliaton

People with dehydrated and dry skin issues must exfoliate their skin once or twice a week to remove dead skin cell build-up. It also allows deeper penetration of winter skincare products. However, do not over-exfoliate, as it will cause skin irritation.

Serums to the Rescue

The next vital step in the winter skincare routine is to offer the skin a burst of nourishment with a non-sticky, lightweight serum. It is a vital ingredient in the skincare routine as it has a higher concentration of active ingredients like vitamin C, glycolic acid, and hyaluronic acid in comparison to moisturisers. They brighten the skin and keep it hydrated.

Dr. Madhuri Agarwal, Founder & CEO of Yavana Aesthetics, recommends serums with hyaluronic acid, ceramides, glycerin, and lactic acid, to give the skin instant and intense hydration. She advises using antioxidant serums to clear the free radical damage and protect skin from showing sun spots and environmental damage.

Hydration Heroes

Follow up the serum with a moisturiser or a hydrator, depending on the skin type. Moisturizers have a thicker formula that creates a

barrier to lock in the hydration and prevent the skin from getting dry. Dr. Madhuri explains, “There are moisturizers and hydrators for different skin type. They help to hold water in the skin and increase the skin moisture content to keep it supple and maintain the skin barrier function. Using products with ceramides, sunflower oils or rosehip seed oil, hyaluronic acid, squalene, oatmeal, niacinamide, white soft paraffin, and lipid-rich oils.”Marisa Goel, Managing Partner of Serena’s Beauty Salon, recommends using the night cream after 15 minutes of applying serum so that each product gets absorbed well.

Sebamed moisturising cream, Bioderma Atoderm Ultra, Cerave moisturising cream, Babe Hydra Calm Body Milk, and Cetaphil Restoraderm Lotion are some of the winter creams that offer the requisite hydration to the skin during winters.

Sunscreen – Always a must

Sun exposure can cause wrinkles, skin pigmentation, loss of collagen, and even skin cancer, so sunscreen is a must-have in the skincare routine in any season. Depending on the skin type, you can use a cream-based or gel-based one. A minimum of SPF 30 is a must, even when the sun is not out.

Bonus Bliss

In addition to the regular skincare routine, indulge in some professional skincare treatments to keep the skin supple and hydrated. Marisa recommends hydrating facials as these treatments hydrate, tone and firm up the skin, resulting in younger and cleaner skin. You could also try out the Meso treatments with hydrating ampoules along with jet spray for deeper penetration. They reboot the skin inside out, making it look healthy and hydrated.

Winter Skincare Tips from Dr. Madhuri

Change over to a milder face wash that doesn’t rip away all the moisture from your skin. Also, use a sunscreen with moisturizer. While removing makeup too, use moisturizing cleansers and balms.
Replace gel formulations with lotion ones for oily and combination skin types. Opt for creams for dry skin type.
Alcohol-based toners and soaps should be avoided for all skin types as they can strip the skin of oils and dehydrate it.
Avoid petroleum jelly-based moisturisers for oily skin types as they can further block the skin and give acne.
During the daytime, use antioxidants and light-formulation moisturiser for oily to combination skin types and a more creamy moisturizer for dry skin type. At night, use thicker creams and balms or sleep masks for skin to repair and rehydrate.