It’s the most beautiful time of the year! Lights are blinding you, gifts are getting packed, and the most awaited decorated trees are up, with snowflakes paving your ways. It’s finally winter; the season of snow and love! With all the good that winter brings, one thing we dread is the itchy, flaking, dry skin. You, me, and everyone else.
A Winter Shower Routine That Will Save Your Dry Skin
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Does your skin feel tight now? Well, winter skincare is no joke!
You need special pampering care in winter because it takes away the natural oil from your skin leaving it dry. As the temperature drops, the humidity in the air also declines to result in the decline of hydration levels of your skin. All these do nothing to help your skin in any way, except robbing your skin of its natural moisture and natural defiance.
You are most likely quick to take care of your face when the snow hits the ground while forgetting the rest of your body. But let me tell you this, lack of attention to your limbs will make you regret later for the dreaded scaly, flaky legs. The chilly, drying wind around you can make your skin thicken with the dead layer staying on longer.
Your entire body needs your attention in the winter and everything you do and use deserves a revamp. And guess what, the experts say that these winter skin issues often start from the way you shower. So, it is essential that you bring a change in your winter shower routine if perhaps you are showering the wrong way?
Winter Shower Routine For Dry Skin
Before winter takes its toll on your skin, be prepared to prevent the dryness by following this effortless winter shower routine for dry skin.
Use A Dry Body Brush
If you have five minutes to spare, use a dry body brush every time before you step into the shower. Most of you must not have given a thought about using a body brush. But you cannot know the numerous benefits it does to your body. Along with helping in removing cellulite and dead skin cells, it boosts circulation, reduces ingrown hairs, and gives you smoother and healthier skin. Start brushing your body gently before showering to help your dry skin. It’s a win-win!
Say No To A Long And Hot Shower
I know that it is too tempting to take a long, hot shower when the temperature drops. To escape from the cold and shivers, you would want to stay longer under the hot water. But the longer you shower, the drier your skin gets. Taking longer showers will cause defatting of the skin -getting rid of natural oil(1).
Do not, I repeat, do not shower in hot water. Hot water can strip the skin of its moisture resulting in dry skin whereas lukewarm water helps in retaining natural oil. You do not want to make your skin anymore drier than it already is. The ultimate solution is a 5-minute long shower in lukewarm water because you want to hold on to every bit of your natural oil.
Use A Gentle Cleanser
Completely avoid using those harsh cleansers because flash news, over lathering, will kill your skin!
As you are aware that soaps tend to dissolve the skin barrier, avoid using the ones that create too many bubbles. The ingredient called surfactant does this. Read all the ingredients before purchasing your soap or body wash and choose “the one” for your body. Which is a less aggressive, moisture-rich cleanser made for sensitive skin for your winter skin.
Rinse Off The Soap Completely
Admit it, there are times you see a smear of bubble behind your ear after showering. You might be showering in a hurry. But dermatologists warn that not properly rinsing off the soap can make your skin dry and cause irritation(2). Especially if you are using a harsh cleanser for already dry winter skin.
Bring The Traditional Oil Massage Back
For restoring the lost moisture, bring back the traditional oil massage. You do not have to dip yourself into it, but a few drops of olive oil or coconut oil can work its magic. Massage your body gently with the oil before showering and let it sink in.
Apparently, by applying oil before you shower you are creating a barrier between your skin and shower water(3). As crazy as that sounds, it actually makes more sense when you think about it. The oil contains occlusive agents that increase the hydration levels of your skin. Besides, massaging will get your body blood flowing which can warm you up!
Gently Pat-dry Instead of Roughly Rubbing
After showering, some of you might roughly wipe off your body to get rid of the excess bubbles of water. Shivering can most likely make you do that. But how you dry your body is as important as how you shower or bathe. Because your skin will be tender after a shower, you have to leave it damp a little. So, gently pat dry your body with a soft towel without vigorously rubbing with it to prevent dryness.
Moisture Your Skin Deeply
Nothing is more important than moisturizing! Slather yourself with a thick moisturizer right after you pat-dry your body. Most importantly, moisturize when the skin is still warm and damp to seal in the moisture from the water rather than let it evaporate. You have a three-minute window from the shower to moisturizer for best and better results. Save your skin from dehydration!
Moisturizing is a significant key answer on how to take care of dry skin in the winter. The more you moisturize your skin, the better. A non-water based cream can deeply nourish your skin while helping your skin to be soft and smooth. A deep, hydrating moisturizing agent should be included in the winter shower routine for dry skin.
Tip: if you are in a hurry, use spray moisturizer to lock in the moisture to avoid those flaky patches you don’t want to see.
Exfoliate In Moderation
Preparing your skin by sloughing away the dead cells for the winter is a necessity. But do not overdo it, especially during the winter. You can do a mild exfoliation all over your body, after showering, to pat off the dead rough skin cells without forgetting to moisturize after the scrubbing. If your skin is too dry, avoid exfoliation altogether as it can dry your skin furthermore.
Day or Night?
If you have dry skin, showering at night is better than a day-time shower. It can help you relax your body and muscles. Curl up in your bed with your favorite book, after a cup of hot chocolate to end your day.
How often should you shower?
“Showering daily” is a new concept that can do nothing but harm your skin further. Did you know that showering daily will reduce your vitamin D(4) levels? Even if it sounds absurd, showering once every two or three days is the healthy choice for your skin. And in the winter, shower twice or thrice a week. You don’t sweat much in this cold and breezy days!
Alright, I think you get the drill now. Shower [not too hot and not for long], pat-dry, and moisturize. This winter shower routine must have given you an idea on how to take care of dry skin in winter. The optimal shower length is five to ten minutes in lukewarm water. On the bright side, you can leave the shower without pruned fingertips. Avoid cleansers made with synthetic ingredients like colors or fragrances to dodge winter irritation. Don’t shower too often and moisturize to save your skin from looking dull.
That’s how you combat dry winter skin with ease.
Now, who wants dry skin? Not you!
RESOURCES
- Hearst Magazine Media. (2019).10 Easy Remedies for Dry Winter Skin.[online] Available at:https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/beauty/anti-aging/tips/a23739/winter-dry-skin-remedies/
- Center for Young Women’s Health. (1998-2019).What is the correct way to take a shower?.[online] Available at:https://youngwomenshealth.org/2017/05/24/what-is-the-correct-way-to-take-a-shower/
- Center for Young Women’s Health. (1998-2019).How to use body oil *before* you shower, according to a dermatologist.[online] Available at:https://www.wellandgood.com/good-looks/body-oil-before-shower-dermatologist-approved/
- The Sydney Morning Herald. (2019).How often should we shower? Much less often than you think
.[online] Available at:https://www.wellandgood.com/good-looks/body-oil-before-shower-dermatologist-approved/
