We’ve all heard the warning before: Winter is coming. In fact, we’ve heard it for eight seasons of game of thrones.
Still, not once during Jon Snow’s defence against the White Walkers did we see him ready his skin for the inevitably harsh winds and icy climate past the Wall. Luckily, we’re planning on being far more prepared this winter than Snow was.
1) It’s vital to wear sunscreen, even in Winter
Even though the sun’s UVB rays are weaker in winter, so you probably won’t get sunburnt, but the UVA rays that cause premature wrinkles are just as strong as they are in the summer. The British Association of Dermatologists recommends wearing a sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 and a UVA rating of 4 or 5 stars.
One body part that we neglect are the lips. They are also an area of the face that are the first to show signs of ageing. Make sure to wear a lip balm that contains SPF to keep your lips soft and free of damage from the sun.
2) Moisturise more
Moisturising is non-negotiable in colder months. The best time to moisturise is right after you take a shower, when your skin is a little damp. Speaking of
showers- no matter how tempting it may sound, avoid taking long hot showers because they take away the moisture from your skin. Instead, opt for moderate temperature showers for a shorter period of time.
3) Say hello to oil-based serums
For those of you with oily skin, remember that if the skin is stripped on natural oils, which is very common in winters, it will go into overproduction and cause more sebum build-up. Using an oil-based serum will help keep the oil levels balanced. However, it should be kept in mind that not all oils should be used on oily skin.
4) Exfoliate the right way
Realistically, you should be exfoliating all year round. With that in mind, don’t go about scrubbing your face too hard in the winter. Over-exfoliating makes the skin more prone to redness and dryness. According to dermatologists, exfoliating once a fortnight during winters is ideal.
5) Manage your sugar
Let’s face it- Christmas, New Year, and other holiday celebrations may lead you to indulge your sweet tooth. However, consuming too much sugar may trigger free radicals and lead to breakouts and redness.
6) Keep hand creams handy
While many people are accustomed to keeping a lip balm in their pockets and enlisting the help of special winter creams, the hands are another part of the body that gets overlooked. Since they’re constantly exposed, the cold weather ravages the delicate skin. Make sure to invest in a rich, buttery hand cream now and reap its benefits all winter long.
7) Take advantage of seasonal food
Eating seasonally is cheaper, better for the environment, and better for your body, especially considering all the nutrition that comes with autumnal foods. Skip the out-of-season strawberries and instead load up your plate with antioxidant-rich foods like sweet potatoes, cabbage, pumpkin, and broccoli to allow your body to rejuvenate after the summer. Another good idea would be to incorporate healing spices in your food like turmeric, cinnamon and ginger.
8) Cut down on the makeup
Letting your skin breathe without heavy makeup will alleviate some of the
stress put on your skin. A tinted moisturiser is a lighter alternative to a heavy foundation and has all the added hydrating goodness too.
| By Ishita Sharma |