It’s finally December which means we’re officially in the winter season. And it’s time we start prepping our skin for the cold weather. Dry, flaky and itchy skin is part and parcel of the winter season and if you’re dreading it just as much as we are, here’s something for you! We got in touch with beauty blogger and YouTuber Pooja Chen to give us some skincare tips to swear by for when it gets cold outside. So, read on to know how to keep your soft, supple and healthy in the cold weather!
Hi Pooja. So, what according to you are 5 essential winter skincare products?
I think one of the essential products is an excellent skin cleanser, especially to remove your make up. Second would be a moisturiser or a serum which will take care of the dryness. It is also vital to include an eye cream because the moisturiser you use for your skin may not work for the skin around your eyes since its much more delicate. Also, make sure to incorporate sunscreen and a good lip balm in your winter skincare regime.
What products should be in every girl’s travel kit for travels during the winter season?
A lip balm, moisturiser and body lotion are the most important things for your winter travel kit. My favourite is the Laneige lip balm and the lip sleeping mask, along with the Bioderma moisturiser. It helps keep your skin hydrated, especially during the cold and harsh winters. For the body, I like to use the Vaseline body lotion.
Dry and flaky skin is the most common problem during the winter months, what can people do help that?
Exfoliation is the key to manage dry and flaky skin. Ensure not to over-exfoliate because that is going to strip your skin of its natural moisture. For your face, you can use chemical exfoliators, i.e., the AHA or BHA toners since they are not very harsh on your skin, unlike the physical exfoliators which strip down all of your skins moisture content.
And then, of course, use a moisturiser regardless of whether you have dry or oily skin. You can also use rose water as a toner before you moisturise as this will help you maintain the level of hydration.
How many times is it advised to wash one’s face during winter? Since soaps are harsh, what face washes would you recommend?
Irrespective of the season, I wash my face only twice a day. I use micellar water or a cleansing balm to remove my make up first and then use a mild cleanser to wash my face, since a cleanser alone will not be able to remove all the makeup which will, in turn, clog your pores and lead to blemishes.
My favourite micellar water is the Bioderma Sensibio H2O Micellar Water and the Ponds Vitamin Micellar Water.
For a cleansing balm, I like to use the Clinique Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm because it just melts your makeup. Also, I use the Cetaphil cleanser because its the mildest one available in the market.
Any DIY alternative to face wash you can recommend for winters?
After you’ve cleaned your face, you can apply Besan with cream/milk and honey on your face as a pack and then gently rub and wash it off. This can act as a cleanser.
What is the ideal nighttime skincare regime for the winter months?
At night I like to layer my skin. So first I use the Clinique cleansing balm to remove my makeup, then an AHA or BHA toner and a Vitamin C serum to exfoliate my skin, after which I use an eye cream and a moisturiser. And to top it off I use a sleeping mask.
So, layer your skin in that order, and you can see the difference it makes! Currently, I am using the Pixie Women’s Toner, the VCX Serum, Laniege Waterbank Moisturise Cream, Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair Eye Serum and the Laniege Waterbank Sleeping Mask.
Could you suggest some hydrating & moisturising face masks/face packs for this time of the year?
The sheet masks are usually good for hydration, but you need to make sure you keep it on for a good 20 minutes to allow your skin to absorb the serum. But if you want an instant glow when you wake up in the morning, you should use the Laniege Waterbank Sleeping Mask because you can apply it overnight like a moisturiser. You can also use Glow Recipe’s Avacado Sleeping Mask and the FaceShop Yehwadam Revitalizing Moisturizing Sleeping Pack.
Also, any DIY face pack women can easily do at home?
I like to mix mashed banana with milk, honey and lemon juice and apply on my skin for 10-15 minutes. This gives a nice and healthy glow to my skin. You can also use rice-flour, honey and lemon and apply for some time. Then you can gently rub it off. This is also good for exfoliation and gives you glowing skin.
What about people with oily or combination skin? What products can they use to keep their skin in check?
Oily skin is usually a result of dehydrated skin which is why the skin thinks it needs more oil and so it produces more sebum, and in that process, a lot of your pores can get clogged, and you would suffer from acne. So once you increase the moisture level of your skin, it automatically stops producing excessive oil.
So, do not skip the moisturiser thinking you already have oily skin. A gel/water-based moisturiser works well for oily skin as it combats the oiliness. You can use the Laniege Waterbank Moisturise Cream or the Clinique Moisture Surge or Aloe Vera Gel to hydrate your skin.
What’s your take on anti-ageing creams & serums?
Contrary to popular belief, you need to start using anti-ageing creams and serums in your mid-late 20’s rather than waiting until your 40’s. Because the whole idea is to help your skin retain its youthfulness rather than repairing or reversing the signs of ageing. So, incorporate anti-ageing serums into your nighttime skincare regime since most of their ingredients are photosensitive.
Any superfoods you recommend for good skin during winters?
I highly recommend including the Indian superfood – Desi Ghee – in your diet, especially during the winter months (in moderated portions, of course). Other than that, if you’re a non-vegetarian, you must include fish in your diet for Omega-3, but if you do not eat fish, you can take Omega-3 supplements. Eat a lot of nuts and flax seeds. Also, take your vitamins and multivitamins and in some amounts, even biotin.
People, we’re sure you and your skin are ready to face the harsh winter months now!
Featured Image Source: Instagram/Poojachen
