Winter has its own charisma and appeal but winter weather is not pleasant for skin. The cold dry air steals away the natural oils from your skin, leaving it dry and itchy. It can even lead to severe dry skin, eczema, and psoriasis.  Without proper care, dry skin can lead to cracking and bleeding, and harsh winter wind can play havoc to your skin making the problem worse. This is the reason why you need to take proper care of your skin in winters . In this article, we have listed some tips you can follow to keep your skin happy and glowing during winter.

Hot showers and baths always feel cozy and good in the winter, but  it is advisable to use lukewarm water while washing your face and hands to avoid stripping of natural oils from the skin.

Do not forget to moisturize your skin right after wash. Make sure to apply a light moisturiser on your face and body right after bath in the morning, to lock the moisture in. And at night, use a moisturizer or an overnight cream. Do not forget to deeply moisturize your hands, feet, elbows, and knees as the thin skin in those areas tend to lose moisture faster than other areas on the body so consider applying a deep moisturizing lotion at night, then wear cotton gloves and socks to seal in the moisture until morning.

Get in the habit of wearing gloves and scarves to protect  the skin from cold winds, rain, and snow. Remember winter sun can cause as just as much damage to your skin as the summer sun, so don’t forget the sunscreen. Apply a generous amount of sunscreen to any exposed areas.

The air is drier in winter and as a result, water evaporates from your body easily. Hence, you need to keep your skin hydrated. Although we might not feel as thirsty during winters as the other seasons, we need to maintain our regular water intake because our skin needs hydration from the inside, out. An easy way to keep it hydrated is by drinking lots of water. A lukewarm water with lemon can be very refreshing and hydrating at the same time.

Exfoliating helps in getting rid of dead cells. But one has to be extra careful while exfoliating in winters as the skin is already compromised due to the dry and cold weather. Exfoliating your skin once a week is just fine. Exfoliation rejuvenates your skin, making your body and face appear soft, shiny and healthier at the same time getting rid of blemish and flaw. You should exfoliate depending on your skin type. If you have very dry skin, avoid exfoliating at all. If you have combination and oily skin, once a week is fine.

Eating foods rich in water content can help hydrate your skin from the inside out. watermelon, Apples, oranges, kiwi, and watery veggies like celery, tomatoes, cucumbers, zucchini, and carrots should be included in the diet. Also consider consuming foods rich in omega-3, or consume more fatty fish and flaxseed to give your skin the building blocks it needs to appear graceful and shiny.

Homemade hydrating masks can really do wonders to your skin and provide the needed moisture it needs in winters. Use natural moisturizing ingredients like honey, avocado, yogurt, olive and jojoba oils, almond oil, bananas, and aloe vera. Mix what you like together to create a cream or paste, and leave on skin for 10-30 minutes for lasting hydration.