The winter season brings in a number of pores and skin complaints, like tightness, itchiness, flakiness, and even cracks from low humidity, indoor heaters, and biting winds. These components deplete your pores and skin’s pure oils, compromising its lipid barrier and growing the chance of an infection. For Indian pores and skin, air pollution and fluctuating temperatures exacerbate this, resulting in dullness and untimely ageing.
In an interview with HT Life-style, Dr Namita Chopade, MBBS, MD (Pores and skin), Dermatologist, Trichologist, and Cosmetologist based mostly in Nashik, Maharashtra, shares how a preventive strategy mixed with a focused skincare routine might help safeguard and preserve wholesome, glowing pores and skin.
The way to shield pores and skin well being in winter
Dr Namita suggests the next measures to protect and shield pores and skin well being:
- Cleanse gently: Use a gentle, creamy, fragrance-free cleanser with ceramides or oats to cleanse with out disrupting the moisture barrier. Keep away from harsh foaming brokers that worsen dryness. Restrict showers to five–10 minutes with lukewarm water (not scorching), gently pat dry with a towel, and keep away from rubbing to protect pure oils.
- Hydrate with serum or toner: Proper after washing, whereas pores and skin continues to be damp, apply a serum with hyaluronic acid or glycerine. These substances pull in water, making pores and skin plump and clean. Add niacinamide for anti-inflammatory advantages, best for pollution-stressed city pores and skin, or Vitamin C for radiance with out sensitivity.
- Moisturise twice day by day: Lock in moisture with a thick cream containing petrolatum, shea butter, or squalane. Apply inside 3 minutes post-cleansing, morning and night time, to scale back itchiness. Oily or acne-prone pores and skin varieties profit too, stopping compensatory sebum overdrive.
- Exfoliate sparingly: Use mild lactic or mandelic acid merchandise to take away lifeless pores and skin cells that entice moisture. Keep away from tough scrubs that may trigger micro-tears. For delicate pores and skin, an oatmeal masks works properly.
Superior safety and way of life integration
“Preserve indoor humidity at 40–60% with a humidifier to recreate your pores and skin’s best moist setting. Assist pores and skin from inside with omega-3-rich meals like walnuts or flaxseeds and drink 3 litres of water day by day plus electrolyte-rich coconut water,” says Dr Namita.
She provides, “Defend in opposition to hidden solar injury with broad-spectrum SPF 30+ (mineral-based for much less irritation) each morning. At night time, lock in moisture with emollient lotions on arms or heels and put on delicate cotton or bamboo materials as an alternative of wool. These habits create an entire winter defend, preserving pores and skin delicate and wholesome.”
What to keep away from
“Keep away from robust anti-ageing lotions like retinols in winter, as they enhance sensitivity. If dryness persists for over 2 weeks or purple, itchy patches seem (like eczema), seek the advice of a physician for particular lotions. Monitor your pores and skin progress with photographs, you’ll discover softer, glowing pores and skin in simply 7–10 days with constant care,” says Dr Namita.
Word to readers: This text is for informational functions solely and never an alternative to skilled medical recommendation. At all times search the recommendation of your physician with any questions on a medical situation.
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