Winters are around the corner, so are the various vows of dry skin. As the weather takes a turn, so does your skin. Cold weather along with low humidity strips your skin of its natural moisturising factors. This might bring a sigh of relief in those with oily skin but indeed is a lot more challenging for dry or combination skin types. Winter skin care rotates around preserving the natural moisturising factor of skin and supplementing the right kind of moisturiser from outside. Based on these factors, I have compiled the head to toe dermatologist guide for winter skin care.

Head

Hair gets dry and fizzy in winters because of cold temperatures and lack of moisture; so cover your head when you move out and oil/condition your hair more frequently.

Face

Face encounters the maximum wrath of cold weather because we do not cover it despite the cold temperature and winds. Here are some tips:

• The key is to use a soap-free non-foaming mild cleanser that does not strip natural oils from your skin. Click on this link to know the list of face washes that are best for dry skin. Alternatively, you can use this home-based cleanser.
• Cover your face when you step out in cold and windy weather.
• Prefer a thick moisturising cream if your skin is parched but use thinner creams or lotion for slightly dry skin.
• Avoid any active skin lightening and anti-ageing ingredients in your moisturiser if your skin is very dry or cracking.
• You might like oil-cleansing method, which involves massaging oil on the face, followed by washing with warm water.
• See the list of products that can replenish lost oils from the dry skin.

Lips

Dry and chapped lips are common in winters and need a constant supply of moisturiser to regain their suppleness. So, always carry a lip balm with you, apply it each time you feel a stretch on your lips rather than licking them with saliva or removing the flakes. See the list of lip balms reviewed by Dermatocare.

Ears

Ears are particularly sensitive to the cold weather, so do not forget to moisturise them well and cover them up.

Neck

The neck should be wrapped up in a warm and soft scarf; this helps in keeping the whole body warm.

Body

The skin on the body gets drier in winters because of weather and wrong skin care. However tempting it might feel to dip into a hot bathtub or steam shower, please avoid it because the hot water sucks all the natural oil from your skin. Use lukewarm water and keep the bath time short. Slather oil (coconut or sunflower or sesame) or body lotion immediately after drying to trap the moisture. Prefer cotton clothes for dressing on inside and multiple layers of fabrics provides better protection from cold rather than a single thick clothing.  Use humidifiers and do not overheat indoors.

Hands

Hands in winters are not only exposed to the cold weather but also cold water and snow. So, apply a thick cream or oil on your hands after each hand wash. To avoid redness and swelling of hand and fingers each winter called as chilblains, dip your hands and feet in warm water 2-3 times a day. Before wearing your gloves, make sure your hands and feet are warm.

Feet

They need extra nourishment on winters, so apply oil or cream when they get dry and keep them covered with soft and warm socks.