Chapped lips, dry and patchy skin, and cracked heels – your skin has its way to mark the onset of winter. During winter, temperature, and humidity levels both drop. The lack of humidity makes it difficult for the skin to retain moisture leading to dry and itchy skin.

Another key reason that might be making your skin and scalp drier is central air heating which is common in offices.

As the weather keeps changing, your skincare routine should also keep up. What works during the summer might not be as effective during winter. Besides making your skin drier, cold weather also makes wrinkles and aging signs more noticeable for both men and women.

That being said, applying some moisturizer on your face might not be enough. Luckily, many ingredients are sitting in your kitchen that can make you forget about these problems. By opting for these common kitchen ingredients, you can avoid the impact of harmful chemicals like sulfates on your skin. Remember, they are easier on your pocket too.

What should be an ideal skincare routine for winter?

Good skincare doesn’t have to be rocket science but it does vary with skin types. If you have oily skin, a gel-based moisturizer may work better for you, while a cream-based one may suit dry skin more.

Irrespective of your skin type, there are a few basic steps that everyone should follow to get that quintessential winter glow. But do you need a variety of products to nail it? Absolutely no!

Nature has blessed us with ample ingredients to take good care of our skin in every season. Here’s a list of some of them.

1. Cleanse: Get rid of the dirt and build-up on your skin by cleansing two times a day. Using a brand that doesn’t contain alcohol and is sulfate and paraben-free will help preserve the natural moisture barrier of your skin.

• If you have a normal or combination skin type, fuller’s earth or multani mitti mixed with water is a good option that has been trusted by generations.
• Another way to clean your skin during winter is to combine honey and aloe vera gel and apply it on your face. You can wash it off after a few minutes.
• You might not miss the curd during winters but it can surely do wonders for your skin. Just mix it with gram flour or besan and apply it to your face. Wash after some time. You can also try this remedy with homemade cream or malai.

2. Toning: This is a step that many of us are guilty of skipping. Dermatologists recommend toning as it removes excess oil and dirt from the skin, maintains its pH balance, and shrinks pores.

• Have some rose water at home? Just spray some on your face or dab it after pouring some on a cotton pad.
• Mix aloe vera and rose water in equal parts to get a toner with anti-inflammation and hydrating properties.
• Being loaded with antioxidants, green tea can be a good toner for oily skin types. All you need to do is mix 1/3 cup of green tea with three to four drops of tea tree essential oil. Just dab the mixture on a cotton pad and then use it on your skin.

3. Exfoliation: Exfoliating your skin can remove the build-up of dry skin and break up pigmented cells to make your skin soft and supple. It also unclogs your pores while boosting blood circulation to your face. You should take care not to exfoliate your skin every day. Just twice or thrice a week is good enough.

• You can use the store-bought coffee to make an amazing scrub. All you have to do is mix one part coffee with one part brown sugar and add a dash of coconut oil. Apart from its obvious benefits, it smells nice too.
• Being rich in Vitamin C and antioxidants, strawberries can do wonders for your skin. To make an exfoliator, you have to mix half a cup of mashed strawberries, a cup of sugar, and half a cup of coconut oil. Apply it on your face and wash it off after some time.
• Another home remedy straight out of your kitchen is to mix one tablespoon each of coconut oil and sugar along with a few drops of lemon juice. Apply, wait for 10 minutes, and wash.

4. Moisturizer: Regular moisturization is a non-negotiable rule of winter skincare. It prevents the loss of moisture from your skin and prevents it from getting dry or itchy.

• Combine rosewater and glycerin in equal parts in a bottle and your DIY moisturizer is ready. You can also replace rosewater with lemon juice.
• Slather some honey on your face and wash it after 10 minutes. It’s simple, cheap, easy, and above all effective.
• Just slather some castor oil on your face. It can shield your skin while keeping it nourished and hydrated.

A few reminders for winter

While the above-mentioned skincare routine will help you the effect of winter on your skin, here are a few tips to improve its effectiveness.

• Hot showers: Contrary to popular belief, long hot showers during winter can strip your body of necessary oils. So, keep your showers short. Not only your skin but the environment will also thank you.
• Excessive blow-drying: The urge to blow dry your hair in chilly winters after a hair wash is often tempting. Sadly, doing it too often might cause hair damage and make it drier. Instead, try to let your hair dry naturally by sitting under the sun.
• Applying sunscreen: Seasons may come and go but your sunscreen should be a permanent part of your skincare.
• Humidifiers: While staying indoors, you can consider using a humidifier to keep humidity levels above 30%.

Winter season can be harsh on your body. While most of us would like to snuggle into our blankets, staying indoors doesn’t mean your skin is always protected against the cold. By regularly following a skincare routine and one based on home remedies, you can easily get back that healthy glow on your face. The best part is it’s pocket-friendly too.