Winter Skincare Tips To Avoid Dry, Flaky Skin l Beauty

Winter Skincare: Avoid dry, flaky skin this season

The nip in the air is a welcome relief but the dryness it brings along is notoriously tough for skin.
Hello, dry, itchy, flaky skin!

Switching to a good moisturizer at the first sign of chill is the right thing to do, but the dry indoor air might have already taken a harsh toll on your complexion. If you don’t want tired-looking skin to stay for the long haul, escalate your daily routine to ensure radiant, dewy skin all through the season. Scroll below for the best tips to minimize flare-ups, supercharge your skin and stay glowing in the coat season.

1. Go fragrance free, keep cleansing gentle

Fragrance in beauty products might feel zen to the senses but it is one of the most common causes for sensitivity, irritation and redness. In colder weather, a simple rule of thumb is – drier the air, drier the skin. Besides running a humidifier in the rooms where you spend maximum time, it is especially important to switch to a mild cleanser. When investing in one be sure to read the list of ingredients closely – opt for something which is clean, and sulphate/fragrance-free. Lookout for a product with as few ingredients as possible – the lesser the ingredients, the cleaner, gentler it will be for the skin.

The beauty space is crowded with famous faces but Hong Kong-based beauty company, Skin Need which believes in empowering ones natural beauty and embracing ones flaws, clearly stands out with its impressive range of natural products. It’s foam-based Light cleanser is paraben and sulphate-free, equipped with active rosehip oil, aloe vera and kumquat extracts among others. It’s perfectly mild to dissolve away the dirt while moisturizing the skin. Charlotte Tilbury’s award-winning, deeply hydrating, two-step Goddess Cleansing Ritual formula with vitamin B, C, charcoal, citrus oil among other supercharging elements is another innovative option for spa-like youthful, taut skin.
Available online as well as all Hong Kong Sephora outlets.

Also Read: Blow up, Glow up: Your ultimate hair treatment guide to a frizz-free life!

2. Use Hydrating Toners and Essences

Your winter routine cannot involve the harsh astringent formulas which zap the skin of natural moisture – lightweight, hydrating, treating toners and essences which leave a soft glow are all rage these days. In fact, toning is the most important step of post-cleanse skincare routine. It helps balance the pH level in your skin and get rid of any impurities after the cleanse. It’s really the first layer of hydration and prepares your skin for locking the moisture in. Korean women (and their flawless beauty) swear by essences for its cell-turnover, hydration and anti-ageing benefits.

Skincare is tricky, but locally founded, Japanese-made, cruelty-free brand Botanic Pretti5 is taking the extra effort in simplifying it. Channeling the power of Chinese medicine with cutting-edge Western technology, their Antioxidant Hydrating Toning Essence, winner of several beauty awards, with its pore-refining prowess, vitamin B5, TCM ingredients, in-tandem with aloe vera – is a one step formula for delivering intense hydration to the deepest levels of the skin. Guaranteed baby-soft feels with regular use. Available at Sephora outlets and directly from the company website.

3. Nail your moisturizing regime

In winters it’s all about hydration, hydration and more hydration. Healthy and fresh-looking skin should be your goal throughout the year and can be achieved with all round consistency, but once the temperature dips, remember to bundle up on a slightly heavier lotion or a serum.

The Miracle Glow Facial oil by Botanic Pretti5 is a hydrating elixir – made with 100% Jojoba oil, squalene derivatives from olives, the oil is compatible with most types of skin, and even the most sensitive of the lot will benefit from its use. Cubed Daily Lotion is another lightweight formula that is especially formulated for Asian skin problems and instantly helps soothe dry, itchy, acne-prone skin. Regular use will help tone your skin and help gain radiance and if you’re feeling extra luxe then splurge on Charlotte Tilbury’s Magic Cream moisturizer – the refillable jar has been a proven weapon for more than two decades for spa-like skin by countless celebrities and in runways across the world. Dab it and almost instantly your skin feels plump, hydrated, taut – the Bio-Nymph Peptide Complex works to enhance the youthfulness, elasticity and the appearance of wrinkles on your face. Loaded with SPF15, sun exposure worries can be laid to rest.

4. Dial down the exfoliation

No matter how many creams, serums or oils you lather up, dry skin will remain dry without a light scrub. It’s a myth that buffing your skin in winters will further enhance the flakiness, but remember to take it easy on the exfoliation. Don’t overdo it, once or twice a week is enough, keep it gentle – remember less is more, Drunk Elephant’s Sugared Koffie Almond Milk Body Scrub is a classic product to swear by. It can be used on all skin types from the age group of 20 to 50 years and almost everyone will feel a soft, nourished touch after exfoliating the dry bits – it does not break down the skin’s natural barrier and keeps it soft, plump, flake-free and balanced. Available online as well as all Hong Kong Sephora outlets.

Also Read: Exfoliation 101 for healthy glowing skin

5. Vitamin D supplementation is a must

Synthesis of vitamin D is critical not just for bone health but also optimum skin health. Research has shown that maintaining optimum levels of vitamin D helps counter the effects of ageing. But during winters, sun exposure is reduced and sunlight does not contain enough UVB radiation for our skin to make enough of the important vitamin – a lack of it is detrimental for your overall health and the skin will definitely feel the brunt – itchy, flaky, tight and prone to psoriasis and eczema.