There is a chill in the air and as happy as we are to see the change in weather, it’s safe to say your beauty routine needs a makeover. A dip in temperature and humidity makes the air much drier, leaving you with dry skin and chapped lips. Add to that those hot showers and you will most likely be dealing with dry and patchy skin. Here is your updated skincare and haircare routine for the winter season.
Your Updated Bath Routine
1. Take warm, NOT hot showers as they strip the body of its natural oils. Try to end a shower with a splash of cold water. Not only does it helps close pores but also boosts blood circulation.
2. Pat your body with a soft towel, leaving the body slightly damp. Apply body lotion or body oil depending on what your skin needs. This helps lock in moisture for hours together. If your skin is extremely dry or patchy, then layer both moisturizer and oil together (your body may take longer to absorb this so a massage may be a good idea).
3. Make most of moisturizing shampoos and conditioners to keep your hair from drying out. If you have a little more time, use a leave-in conditioner or head to the salon for a hair spa. Indulging in hot oil massages are also a good idea at this time of year.
4. Due to the dryness, you may see a clogged scalp or an increase in flakes on your scalp. It’s wise to use an anti-dandruff shampoo once a week. If you apply a lot of styling products, then make sure you mix baking soda with your shampoo to reduce product build-up.
Your Updated CTM regime
1. Switch from gentle and light cleansers to moisturizing and crème-based cleansers.
2. Try to add a facial oil to your skincare routine: it’s high on hydration plus it makes for a great base for your makeup.
3. Take special care of your hands and feet. When using a hand lotion, make sure you apply it on your cuticles too. Stash a hand cream in your bag and re-apply when needed. Keep a jar of coconut oil in the kitchen too. Before going to sleep, apply a thick layer of cream on your feet. Then cover them up with thick, woolen socks and wake up to moisturized feet. A relaxing foot soak also detoxifies and get rids of dead cells too.
4. You may find your lips to be more chapped than usual. Since it’s chilly we tend to feel less thirsty and therefore we forget to drink as much water as we do in summers. So start by drinking 8–10 glasses of water and also eating water-laden fruits. Use a lip balm that has a base of either beeswax or shea butter. Glycerin IP and desi ghee also work wonders on a dry pout.
Changes in Lifestyle
1. The best part about winters is the wide variety of vegetables, salad, and juices that you can savour. Make sure your diet has a healthy mix of seasonal favourites like carrots, daikon, mustard greens as well as coconuts, avocado, and nuts.
2. Combat dry air and the heat inside your home with a humidifier to keep your skin from drying out and flaking.