A s winter sets in, our skin begins to get tight, dry and flaky. This is because the low temperature results in poor blood circulation due to which the skin does not get the required amount of nutrients and oxygen. It is not that the problem arises only for the people with dry skin; those with oily skin are also affected since during winter oily skin becomes normal or even dry. Hence the need for skin care, which should involve not just the face but the entire body.

Moisturizer

It is very important to use an appropriate moisturizer for your hands, legs and face during winter. It is better to use moisturizer lotion for your hands and legs and cream for your face. Heavier moisturizer containing ingredients such as Shea butter, almond oil, primrose oil, jojoba oil and aloe Vera extract are quite effective. For dry skin, creamy moisturizer containing glycerin or lactic acid is more useful but if you have oily skin you can use oil-free moisturizer.

Bathing

During winter, most of us take a shower using hot water but we need to make sure the water is not too hot taking away the layers of fats and lipids from our skin and making it even more dehydrated.

Try to use soaps that contain moisturizing milk or better still shower milk. You could very well massage oils such as olive oil or almond oil on your body before you take a shower. This would keep your body warm and soft. Also, you can add drops of oil to your bath water.

Sunscreen

The intensity of the UV ray is still very high during winter and can effectively damage your skin. Thus, it is always wise to use a proper sunscreen cream and lotion. You can find on the market different types of good lotion to moisturize your skin with and to protect your skin from sun. There are even day creams that can protect your skin from both cold and sun.

Herbal care

If your moisturizing lotion or cream is causing irritation or it is not effective enough then you can switch to herbal methods.

Honey is very good as moisturizer. It retains moisture of your skin and also it is a source of antioxidant. You can use honey with almond oil on your skin before taking a shower. Warm honey, yogurt and lemon juice together can act as a good moisturizing face mask. Particularly for oily skin, a mixture of grated apple and honey is quite helpful.

You can mix honey with milk to produce a thick moisturizer. Apply it on your face and other parts of the body and then after a few minutes clean it off with water. Milk can also be used as a moisturizer by mixing it with egg.

For dry skin, the combination of olive oil, egg and lemon juice can give a good result.

Aloe Vera is one of the best herbal moisturizers you can ever have. If you can manage to get the juice of Aloe Vera then mix it with an equal amount of water and boil it to get a jelly consistency for applying it to your skin.

For men

Other than using moisturizer, oils and sunscreen, men should take proper care of their face during shaving in winter. During the cold season, facial hair gets thicker and it becomes difficult to shave. One remedy for this could be using olive oil or almond oil on your face before shaving. This would make the hair smooth and would make it easier for you to shave it off. Also, instead of using after shave, you can use a vitamin E or Aloe Vera enriched cream.

ET Lifestyle Desk