How to look a million bucks this winter

Tired of dry and flaky skin in winter?

Simple tips to keep your skin healthy and glowing through those nippy days.

Your skin needs special care during the winter months to prevent dry and flaky skin.

"Winters make your skin dry and dull," says Dr Anagha Dudhbhate, a Pune-based dermatologist. "You need to make a few changes to your skin care routine to get a healthy glow."

Bath time

Dr Dudhbhate advises:

• An ideal skin care routine must include a lukewarm water bath.
• Keep your bathing time to the minimum.
• Use a glycerin-based soap. You can use syndet soap (also known as a dermatologist soap) instead of regular soap.
• Apply moisturiser or oil post your bath as it helps your skin get back lost moisture.
• Stay away from the temptation to turn on the heater as that has an adverse effect on the skin. If unavoidable, please keep the heater to the minimum.

Kindly click next to read some more tips...

Skin type care

Dr Dudhbhate advises:

• Oily skin has active oil glands to combat dryness, so those with oily skin can use regular soap.
• On the other hand, those with dry skin should keep the usage of soap to a minimum as their skin does not have the barrier to avoid water loss.
• While an oil-based moisturiser should be used for dry skin, use a water-based moisturiser for oily skin.

Kindly click next to read some more tips...

Hydration

Skin hydration is very important during the winter," says Dr Dudhbhate.

Water loss is less during the winter and hence we tend to drink less water.

This is not good for the skin as the skin tends to become rough and dry.

"Our skin also shows change with the season," says Meghana Kunte, a beauty and skin expert. "The dry winter air takes away the thin layer of oil that helps trap moisture in the skin."

"Dehydration and slow turnover of cells leaves the skin dull," she says.

"Include plenty of fruits and lots of water in your diet as it helps the regeneration of skin," recommends Kunte.

Kindly click next to read some more tips...

Night routine

Dr Dudhbhate advises:

• Special care should be taken of lips and soles as the dry weather causes chapping of lips and cracking of feet.
• An occlusive moisturiser is very helpful in preventing chapping.
• Soak feet in warm water for 15 minutes and mildly scrape away the dead skin.
• Apply an urea-based cream which prevents water loss.
• Plain white petrolatum is also useful for the lips.

Meghana Kunte's tips:

The skin is more permeable at night thus allowing repairing.

• Boost your skin by using night creams with vitamin C, Omega 3 fatty acids, glycerin.
• Use plain or tinted lip balm to treat chapped lips.
• For the cracked feet, go for a paraffin pedicure.

Kindly click next to read some more tips...

Home remedies

• Aloe vera is a very good moisture-retaining natural product.
• Application of milk cream, honey and glycerin with a drop of lemon keeps your skin looking fresh.
• Applying pure ghee on chapped lips also helps keep them soft and smooth.

Food habits

• Drink at least three litres of water every day.
• Eat foods that help keep skin hydrated and soft.
• Almonds, strawberries, food containing Omega 3 fatty acids like the salmon or rawas fish and walnuts boost hydration.
• Include lots of seasonal fruits in your diet.

Dr Dudhbhate advises:

People with sensitive skin like atopic dermatitis, seborrheic dermatitis, psoriasis and ichthyosis all tend to worsen in winter.

Even patients taking acne medicines need to change their dosage. So visit your skin doctor to prevent aggravation of the condition.