Change in weather, especially in a country like India where we experience extreme climatic conditions, there is a drastic change in skin too. In the winter months, there is less moisture in the air which can lead to drier skin. We are here to help you keep your skin glowing and moisturized throughout winters!

Ah, winters! That time of the year when you finally get the chance to wear your favourite cozy sweater while sipping on a hot cup of coffee, slouch on the couch with a nice pair of warm fuzzy socks. Just like animals, humans too love this time to slow the pace of their lives. During winters, the days become shorter and nights longer. Similarly, your skin’s moisture also decreases and the dry flaky skin starts taking its place. Even people with oily skin get dry patches around their lips, nostrils and eyebrows. So basically, what we are trying to say is, winters are cozy but brutal!

To tackle this brutal weather everyone needs a sweater to shield their bodies and a really good skincare routine to shield their skin. As we know, there are 4 main types of skin, namely: Dry, Oily, Normal and Combination.

A winter skin care routine goes far beyond just your skin care products. How you treat your skin in winter and how you prepare it for winter weather has a lot to do with keeping your skin looking great when the weather gets cold.

 

Easy Winter Skincare Routine for All Skin Types

 

1. Hydrate! Hydrate! Hydrate! 

The most important part of winter care is drinking lots and lots of water. When you keep your body hydrated from the inside, it reflects on your skin. When it’s cold outside we often forget to drink enough water throughout the day, but this is just when low humidity is most likely to strip our poor skin of its moisture. Remember to sip slowly through the day rather than gulp and to use a reusable bottle. Indulging in warming winter teas such as natural ginger and lemon is a wonderful way to keep hydrated in winter - you will feel healthy, hydrated and cozy at the same time. It’s a win-win situation!

 

2. Avoid Hot Water Showers

Hot water showers sound so tempting in ice-cold weather but trust me, it won’t do you any good. Hot water breaks down the lipid barriers in the skin. Hence, choose lukewarm water to avoid stripping as many oils away from the skin. Ensure you pat the towel and don’t rub your skin dry. Apply body oil before the shower to keep the moisture and follow up with a body cream or a moisturizer after a shower.

 

3. Food for the soul!

Best way to rejuvenate your skin is to consume fruits and apply a fruit mask. It is the best way to pamper your skin with pure stuff which is free of toxins or any chemicals. Eat a rainbow of colorful fruits like pomegranate, banana, watermelon, papaya, kiwi, oranges and apples for a good healthy glowing skin. Fruits provide natural multivitamins, especially citric fruits with Vitamin C, which helps keep the skin plump and glowing. Do not forget to include the green leafy vegetables and millets which will keep your body warm and healthy through winter.

 

4. Natural Face Wash

Many high street cleansers actually contain harsh chemicals which can be damaging rather than nourishing. Ingredients such as alcohol and any added fragrances won’t do any favors for dry, cracked skin, as they strip away natural oils.

A DIY ground oat meal scrub with honey is an amazing way to naturally clean and exfoliate your skin. Just grind some dry oat meal and add milk and honey. Et voila! Your winter face and body scrub is ready.

 

• Soundaryah’s Youthful Glow Herbal Face Wash

A gentle, non-foaming ayurvedic daily facial cleanser that refreshes and detoxifies the skin leaving it radiant and youthful all day long. Soundaryah’s Youthful Glow Herbal Face Wash has a star ingredient in the form of high-grade Wild Turmeric. It is the therapeutic benefits of wild Turmeric combined with the other precious botanicals including Almond and Sandalwood which make this herby face wash deeply cleansing, nourishing and rejuvenating!

1. Mix 1 tsp of Soundaryah’s Youthful Glow Herbal Face Wash in a bowl.
2. Add sufficient yogurt or full fat milk to form a wet paste.
3. Before application splash face with lukewarm water.
4. Now apply the face wash paste all over the face and neck.
5. Gently massage in circular motions for a few seconds and wash off with lukewarm water
6. Finally splash face with cool water to close off pores and pat dry.
7. Use this 100% natural cleanser every day for effortlessly glowing and youthful skin.

 

5. Organic Hydrating Ubtan – Your Skin’s Best Friend in Winters

A 100% soap free, deeply healing ayurvedic body cleansing natural bathing alternative for refreshingly soft, glowing and supple skin every day.

 

• Soundaryah’s Intensive Body Polishing Ubtan

1. Mix 3 tsps. of Soundaryah’s Intensive Body Polishing Ubtan in a bowl.
2. Add sufficient yoghurt to form a wet paste.
3. Apply all over the body on moist skin.
4. Gently massage in circular motions.
5. Wash off with water until no residue is left.

Use this 100% natural cleanser every day for effortlessly glowing and youthful skin during winters.

 

6. Do Not Over-Exfoliate

It may be the last thing on your mind when you have dry, itchy skin, but there are benefits to exfoliating your skin during winter. Not only will it take off the dry, dead skin cells, but it also helps you regenerate new ones. You have to be careful during winters because your skin barrier is already compromised due to the dry and cold weather. Exfoliating your skin once a week is fine – this helps in boosting skin regeneration and better product absorption.

• Almond Powder Face Pack

Almonds are rich in bioactive compounds that restore the moisture balance of your skin. Using a face pack of almond and milk can help reduce the dryness of your skin and make it more supple.

Make a thick paste by mixing 2 tbsp almond powder and 3-4 tbsp milk. Apply it on the areas with dry skin and leave it on for 10 minutes. Wash off with plain water.

 

7. Winter Facial Care

In winters, a good hydrating face mask will keep your skin supple and ready to tackle the harsh weather.

• Soundaryah’s Brightening Face Masque

This unique face masque has a star ingredient in the form of high-grade organic Kannauj Rose Petals which is revered as the key to imparting ageless youthful beauty to the skin. It is the therapeutic benefits of the medicinal Rose flower combined with the other precious botanicals including Orange, Lodra, Sandalwood, Mayafal, Majith, Turmeric, Indian Bentonite Clay & Nutmeg which makes this masque deeply healing, nourishing and rejuvenating, heals skin issues gently and naturally, brightens the skin tone and reduces signs of aging and sagging.

1. Mix 2 tbsp Soundaryah’s Brightening Face Masque in a bowl.
2. Add sufficient full fat milk or yoghurt to form a thick wet paste and leave the mixture aside for 2-3 minutes.
3. Before application splash face with lukewarm water and gently pat dry.
4. Now apply the pack all over the face and neck area and relax for 15 minutes or till the pack is semi-dry.
5. Wash off with lukewarm water in very gentle circular motions.
6. Finally splash face with cool water to close off pores and pat dry.
7. Use the face pack twice a week for effortlessly glowing and youthful skin.

Malai or milk cream can be used for dry skin to dilute the mask and milk for normal skin, the mask should be washed off when still wet. Using this face masque once or twice a week will take care of the facial skin in the best chemical free way possible by reducing wrinkles, making the skin glow while providing hydration without the use of antiaging serums and solutions.

 

8. Taking Care of Winter Acne and Scarring

Most of us suffer from acne or pimples during puberty or even during pregnancy. Sometimes even our surroundings make acne come to life. While it can get stressful, it is always recommended to use all natural and organic ways to curb this monster. Neem, curry leaves, aloe vera have been very effective in treating acne. It is important to not only use natural ingredients but also making sure that the source is clean, hygienic and organic.

• Soundaryah’s Anti Acne Healing Face Pack

An all-natural ayurvedic treatment most effective for healing sensitive skin prone to acne, inflammation, rashes, blackheads and scarring during winters. This ayurvedic face pack remedy is an effective and safe natural solution to acne without the use of over-the-counter creams and steroids with harsh and damaging chemicals which compromises the skins health and immunity causing more scarring and cyclical breakouts.

1. Mix 2 tbsp Soundaryah’s Anti Acne Healing Face Pack in a bowl.
2. Add sufficient yoghurt to form a thick wet paste and leave the mixture aside for 2-3 minutes.
3. Before application splash face with lukewarm water and gently pat dry.
4. Now apply the pack all over the face and neck area and relax for 15 minutes or till the pack is semi-dry.
5. Wash off with lukewarm water in very gentle circular motions.
6. Finally splash face with cool water to close off pores and pat dry.

Use the face pack twice a week for active acne and once a week for lightening acne scars. Can be used daily for spot treatment on active pimples and scars.

 

9. Milk as Toner

We know what you’re thinking—aren’t you supposed to use a toner during summers? Yes, but what’s good for the goose is good for the gander, which is another way of saying that a good toner that locks in moisture is key in the winter months as well.

Raw milk actually works as a great toner for the skin. Loaded with antioxidants and lactic acid, it helps to even out your complexion and remove dark spots on your face. You can also combine raw milk with ingredients like papaya, honey, almond, turmeric or so on to help your skin glow!

Take 2 teaspoons milk + a pinch of turmeric powder + 1 teaspoon honey. Mix them all and make a good textured paste to apply on your dry skin. Let it dry naturally and rinse off afterward. Repeat this process at least twice a week to treat dry skin patches.

 

10. Moisturize without fail!

Nothing is less comfortable than dry, cracked winter skin. Make sure you’ve got a good body moisturizer and start using it before skin gets cracked, so you’re not irritating already irritated skin. Prevention is key, so be sure to put on a little extra moisturizer before you go out in the cold to prevent skin from becoming cracked and dry to begin with.

• Aloe Vera

Yet another popular remedy for several maladies and to promote the overall health of the skin and hair, aloe vera gel acts as a great moisturizer because of its non-greasy texture and can double as an aftershave too. It also keeps away acne and wrinkles on the skin, helping to keep your skin firm. Scrape the gel from the leaf (make sure that you drain the resin from the leaf first, as it can irritate the skin) and blend it in a mixer to form the aloe vera gel. Once you’ve washed your face, you can apply it and don’t need to rinse it off. You can also combine the gel with other ingredients like turmeric or honey to make rejuvenating face masks.

• Yogurt and Honey Pack

Honey moisturizes your skin, keeps away bacteria from your skin, and boosts the glow of your complexion. Try and use raw and organic honey, for the best possible results. Yogurt moisturizes your skin, prevents trans epidermal water loss, and increases skin elasticity.

Mix 1 bowl of yogurt and 2-3 tbsp honey in a bowl. Apply this mixture on the affected areas. Rinse with water after 15 minutes. Use this pack twice a week during winters for best results.

• Coconut Oil

All hail the great savior that is coconut oil, for there’s nothing it can’t do – except maybe be used on oily skin types! But for dry and dull skin, coconut oil acts as an excellent moisturizer. Dry skin results from lack of fatty acids in your skin. The best source for your skin to replenish the lost fatty acids is coconut oil. All you need is 1 tablespoon virgin coconut oil + 5 minutes. At night, just wash your face thoroughly and massage it with oil for 5 minutes, leave it overnight. Coconut oil will absorb into your skin and make your skin texture smooth and healthy.

 

11. Sweat it out

Yes! I know it’s hard to leave the warmth and coziness of the blanket behind and get moving on a chilly winter morning. But do it if you love your skin. Exercise will pump up your heart rate, which in turn, pumps more blood to your organs and skin. Exercise is the key to a radiant skin. Sweating removes toxins from your body. The more you work out and sweat, the more you can see your skin gain a natural glow. You naturally sweat less in winters, so get in action to bring the glow! When we practice yoga, it enhances blood circulation. It means more oxygen goes inside our body which, in turn, improves the skin as it nourishes the cells with the required nutrients and flushes out toxins. Because of this, fresh blood gushes in the body, imparting a warm glow to the face.

 

12.Wear warm protective clothing

Winter is undoubtedly harsher on your skin than summer. Out in the open, we may have the pocket essential lip balm to take care of dry, chapped lips, but we need more than that. The combination of low humidity plus those strong, blistering winds can lead to uncomfortably dry skin, so remember to wrap up. A scarf and gloves are essential to protect your hands and the delicate skin on your neck. Many cold-weather fabrics can aggravate dry winter skin. Wear light layers made from soft, breathable materials directly against your skin, and then pull on your heavier, warmer sweaters. Be sure to protect your hands from cold winter air with gloves.

 

As November comes to an end, harsh winters begin to approach us. During this time, make sure to protect your body from the inside out by following these tips. Keep your body warm, stay safe and stay healthy. Let’s face the winters with warmth in our hearts and an even warmer smile on our faces!

 

Comment down below what at-home skincare you personally live by during winters!

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