Skin dehydration occurs when the water from the skin evaporates due to the lack of moisture in the environment. Therefore, skin hydration is crucial in such situations, especially during the winter.
Winter Woes
During winter, the cold and dry air extract water particles and lipids from the skin, hindering the absorption of dirt and impurities. This leads to dull, dry, flaky, and irritated skin. The decrease in temperature and humidity significantly affects the skin. Cold air, with lower humidity, combined with indoor heating systems, creates an environment that strips the skin of its natural moisture. This can result in dry, flaky, and sometimes irritated skin. Proper hydration is essential to maintain the skin’s barrier function and prevent issues such as dryness, redness, and cracking. This requires external skincare, achievable through moisturizers and hydrating serums. Sunayana Walia, founder of Raw Beauty, states, “Some ingredients effective for skin hydration during winter include Hyaluronic acid, Aquaxyl, and Pentavitin. Hyaluronic acid focuses on hydration and has an amazing ability to retain moisture in the skin. Aquaxyl strengthens the skin barrier, optimizing the skin’s hydrous flow. Pentavitin, a plant-based hydrating agent, works magic by reinforcing the skin barrier, penetrating deep into the skin, and retaining moisture. Other extremely helpful ingredients include glycerin, aloe vera, ceramides, honey, plant-based squalene, and shea butter.”
Water Wise
Unlike summers, we often forget to maintain our daily water intake during winter. Besides external care, it’s essential to stay hydrated throughout the day to minimize the impact of harsh weather on the skin. Include more warm drinks and liquid-based dishes to meet your overall water needs. Hydration is crucial for maintaining the skin barrier, preventing issues like dryness, flakiness, and irritation during the winter months. Paridhi Goel, founder of Love Earth, emphasizes, “Proper skincare in winter is essential to maintain hydration, prevent flakiness, and protect against harsh conditions. Using hydrating products helps keep the skin supple, healthy, and resilient during the colder months.”
Be Cautious
One must not overlook the importance of layering during winter, as it constitutes a crucial aspect of anyone’s skincare routine for the season. Incorporate high-quality moisturizers, hydrating serums, and oils/butter into your regimen. Begin with a gentle hydrating face wash or cleanser, followed by a hydrating serum, and finish with an occlusive layer—either a thick moisturizer or oil/butter to seal in the moisture. Aditi Sahu, vice president of Product & Development at Foxtale, emphasizes, “Protecting the skin barrier is paramount during winter. It’s essential to incorporate hydrating ingredients twice a day to counter harsh elements that may strip the skin of moisture. Avoid using harsh chemicals, soaps, or treatments that may further sensitize the skin. Additionally, applying a moisturizing sunscreen is a must. Avoid excessive hot showers and keeping the heater on constantly.”
Do More
Reapplying moisturizer also helps prevent skin damage. Simply wiping your face with a hydrosol to remove dirt before reapplying the moisturizer can protect your skin from breakouts and acne formation. “Avoid using harsh soaps and cleansers that can strip away the skin’s natural oils; instead, opt for gentle, hydrating cleansers. While exfoliating is essential for removing dead skin cells, overdoing it can compromise the skin barrier. Limit exfoliation to 1-2 times a week in the winter. Sunscreen is not just for summer; UV rays can still damage the skin in winter. Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen to protect your skin from harmful rays. Consider adding moisture to the air in your home with a humidifier; this can help prevent excessive drying of the skin,” advise Divya Rai and Kavya Rai, co-founders of Friday Feeling. Using hydrating products keeps the skin supple, healthy, and resilient during the colder months. So, ensure your skin stays warm and nice this winter.
The decrease in temperature and humidity significantly affects the skin. Cold air, with lower humidity, combined with indoor heating systems, creates an environment that strips the skin of its natural moisture.” — Sunayana Walia, founder of Raw Beauty
Proper skincare in winter is essential to maintain hydration, prevent flakiness, and protect against harsh conditions. Using hydrating products helps keep the skin supple, healthy, and resilient during the colder months.” — Paridhi Goel, founder, Love Earth
Protecting the skin barrier is paramount during winter. It’s essential to incorporate hydrating ingredients twice a day to counter harsh elements that may strip the skin of moisture. — Aditi Sahu, vice president Product & Development, Foxtale
“Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen to protect your skin from harmful rays. Consider adding moisture to the air in your home with a humidifier; this can help prevent excessive drying of the skin.” — Divya Rai and Kavya Rai, co-founders, Friday Feeling
