Expert Talk: How to Deal with Itchy and Dry Skin During Winters
Changing season is one of the most natural occurrences of nature. As the climate shifts from one extreme to another, we also need to adjust our daily skincare regimes and rituals to deal with the winter skin dryness.
Choosing the correct base that is enriched with ingredients that suit one’s skin type is essential. For nourishment, one needs to feed the skin through masks and moisturisers. It is important to ensure that your masks are made with hydrating ingredients that nourish your skin.
Pooja Nagdev, Aromatherapist, Cosmetologist and Founder of INATUR shares advice on how to treat itchy and dry skin during the winters.
Dry and Chapped Skin – Shea Butter, Wheat germ oil, Cocoa butter, Almond Oil, Chamomile, Jasmine oil, Sandalwood and Palma rosa.
Oily and Acne-Prone Skin – Tea Tree, Basil, Lemon, Monoi Oil, Mango Butter, Raspberry Seed Oil, Thyme, and Charcoal.
Sensitive Skin – Natural Glucan Gum, Lavender, Neroli, Geranium
Ageing Skin– Collagen, Plant Peptides, Argan, Palmarosa, Sandalwood, Patchouli, Cypress, and Myrrh.
How we treat our skin during winters depends on the skin types.
Dry skin is low on moisture. For those with dry skin should avoid harsh products, always use cream-based face cleansers, and never go to bed without a nourishing night cream or facial oil. Also, apply a pre/post bath oil every day. Keep a body butter at the bedside to massage your hands and feet just before bedtime. This will help to reduce the itchiness. Those with dry skin should also avoid anything citrus as it can sting on winter dryness cuts. For lips, shea butter or any other butter-based lip balms are very beneficial.
Oily skin is smoother in texture as it carries more sebum. This sebum also keeps skin away from wrinkles, but it also leads to blackheads and whiteheads. Cleanse two to three times daily and scrub on alternate days. Use an oil-free moisturiser is a must to normalise sebum production. Always remember to use a good astringent or toner to close the open pores. For those with oily skin also must liberally moisturise their skin with a good hydrating lotion.
Combination skin has some areas that are dry and some oily. Identify the areas that have more sebum production. Use the products sparingly and use higher emollient ingredients.
Oil massage
Self-massage of the body with sesame oil for 5-10 minutes every day before a bath or shower improves the skin, tones the muscles and blood vessels and has a soothing action on the nervous system. If you are short of time, simply drop a little sesame oil in the ears and massage the neck, head, spine, and soles.
Supplement with Collagen, Vitamin C, Hyaluronic Acid, and Vitamin E based products. These help in the skin rejuvenation process. Pure vitamin C in the serums and moisturisers rejuvenates skin and is known for other benefits like boosting collagen and elastin production in your skin, protection from free radicals.
Soak in the sun by applying Sunscreen this winters. Taking care of skin is a combination of Nurturing and Defence. Apply sunscreen with SPF 30and 50 every time you sit outside to enjoy the sun.
To sum up, enjoy the season and keep your skin and scalp moisturised and hydrated.