mdolla: 5 Ways to Keep Your Skin Youthful and Glowing in Winters

A drop-in humidity and temperature levels in winter season leaves your skin feeling rough, dry and itchy. And for those who are prone to psoriasis, eczema, dermatitis, or other skin diseases, the condition becomes worse than just a general dryness. Moreover, the problem does not improve even if you heat your home using wood or electricity.

Therefore, taking extra care of the skin is the best option to keep it fresh and moisturized. Luckily, there are several ways to get clear, youthful, healthy and glowing skin even during the harsh winter days:

1. Bathe in Lukewarm Water

When you have a dry skin, it seems like a good idea to wash it with water. However, excessive washing, especially with hot water, makes dry skin worse. It removes the protective oils from the skin, make it vulnerable to drying. Therefore, instead of using hot water, you should use warm water while bathing.

2. Avoid Using Soaps

If you use too much soap, your skin will likely pay the price. Only apply soap in body areas such as in your underarms, on your legs and feet, and in your groin area. Opt for mild, moisture-rich, and fragrance-free soaps, especially in winter, as this may aggravate dry skin. Don’t rub your wet skin with a towel, but gently pat it to avoid over drying.

3. Go for Water-Rich Foods and Juices

You can also improve your water intake by having fruits and vegetables that are already high in water content. Fruits such as grapes, berries, papaya, watermelon, peaches and apples contain 80 to 90 percent water. Among the vegetables, you can pick onions, peas, tomatoes, broccoli and carrots. Apart from fulfilling the water needs of your body, these fruits and vegetables also provide the essential vitamins and minerals to your body. Also, it is advised to limit your intake of certain foods that may harm your skin and cause skin problems like wrinkles, allergies, pimples, acne and many more.

4. Apply Moisturizer to Keep Hydrated

Moisturizing after washing skin can help trap moisture on the skin and prevent dry skin. It is advised to apply a moisturizer several times a day and mainly after having a bath.

There are four basic types of skin moisturizers: Cream moisturizers, ointment moisturizers, lotion moisturizers and oil moisturizers.

Non-comedogenic or oil-free moisturizers are best for those who have oily or acne prone skin. Go for gentle, creamy moisturizer if you have sensitive skin. For dry skin, ointment moisturizer is an apt option. However, ointment moisturizers sometimes feel greasy. If you are looking for something less greasy, you can select lotion moisturizers.

To treat your cracked lips in the winter, choose lip balms with special moisturizing agents. You can also apply honey on your lips before going to bed. It is one of the best natural ways to keep your lips moisturized for a longer time.

5. Drink More Water

The most common problem that occurs in winter is dehydration because we do not feel thirsty in this season and therefore the amount of fluid in our body decreases. Consequently, our skin becomes dehydrated and under-nourished. It is recommended to drink at least 2-3 litres water a day beginning with two glasses of water when you wake up and a glass of water every two hours after that.

If you find it difficult to drink plain water, you can go for its alternatives. Try lemon water, coconut water or non-caffeinated teas. If that doesn’t work, try flavouring your water with vegetables or fruits. You can add strawberry, cucumber, mint leaves or orange to flavour your the water.

If your skin is still rough and dry, consider asking your dermatologist about it. Your doctor can help you understand why your skin is dehydrated and give you the required treatment to keep it healthy.

Featured photo credit: langil/pixabay.com via pixabay.com

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