Essential winter skin, fabric care tips that you should follow

Winter is approaching so are the days of dull, dry and pale skin. The condition worsens as we enjoy the ‘comforts’ of room heaters, blowers, hot water bathing etc. The cold weather affects the body in numerous ways. Low humidity levels in air steals moisture from the skin.

The most prominent effect of cold weather is on the skin. The skin on the face and limbs become dry, dull and scalp becomes flaky. This happens because the harsh conditions of the cold weather makes the skin lose its natural oils. Moreover, the moisture from the skin is lost during winters, making it dry and lifeless, this is why problems like rashes, redness, itchiness and parched skin are common during winter season. So, it is time to take extra care of our skin and follow basic routines to keep our skin glowing and getting it soft and healthy skin. There are simple and natural tips that you need to follow for a glowing skin:

Stay Hydrated

Hydrate your skin from within. During winters, we tend to consume less water as we feel less thirsty. So carry a bottle of water whenever outdoors. It is very important to replenish your system with water and get a glowing skin.

Protect Skin

Moisturizing is one of the most important steps that one must do to have a glowing skin in winters. It helps in keeping our skin hydrated and makes sure that the skin does not lose its natural oil. A good oil-based moisturizer helps to keep the skin moisturized and soft. We should moisturize the exposed parts like hands, nails, feet and lips. Use a lip balm to  keep lips soft and supple.

We should not forget, skincare means moisturizing, it needs from inside too. Taking Vitamin E and omega-3 fatty acids- either as supplements or through increased intake of nutritious foods such as fish, nuts and leafy greens helps to improve skin’s elasticity.

And most important part of skincare in any season, use sunscreen,  even in summer and winter. If possible find a moisturizer that contains sunscreen. Otherwise make sure you apply a good quality SPF 30 simultaneously.

Use Lukewarm Water

Winter is the time when your skin and hair needs maximum attention. Hot showers in winters may relax your muscles, but if you love your skin, avoid them. Instead use lukewarm water to shower and wash your face. Make sure to use a mild non-drying soap or a moisturizing soap. Hot showers dry your skin quickly and if you don’t moisturize it quickly, it makes your skin dry and flaky. After you have taken a lukewarm shower and face wash, apply a moisturizer that contains hyaluronic acid and ceramides. This helps keep the moisture barrier intact and prevent dryness.

Replenish skin at night

If you wish to have a healthy skin, you must not forget to replenish your skin at night. The night time is a great time to allow your skin to rest and absorb extra moisture. So indulge in deep moisturizing with oils before you go to bed.

 Diet Care

Eating the right balance of nutrients throughout the year can keep the skin healthy as you are heading into winter. Ensure that your diet is high in omega-3s and DHA which you can get from eating oily fish like tuna or salmon. If you don’t consume fish, supplement with DHA capsules. Consume a lot of veggies and fruits. Be sure your diet contains antioxidants, which can reduce damage to the skin. Colorful fruits and vegetables like berries, peppers and beets are high in antioxidants. In this way your body will get the nutrients to keep the skin healthy.

When the temperature keeps dropping, there’s nothing like wrapping yourself in warm and cosy fabrics like cashmere, wool and fur. Winter fabric brings a lot of comfort during winters.

We bring you some handy tips to keep your woolens safe.

Use Right kind of brush

Avoid washing machines to wash your woolen clothes, as they lose their sheen. Use electrostatic garment brush after every wear, as the winters clothes tend to accumulate lots of dust and moths.

Gently clean tough stains

If you accidentally stain your sweater and scarf, take it for dry cleaning. If the stain is not that tough you can use a high quality detergent meant for woolens. Mix it in lukewarm water and soak them in the mixture. Gently wash the piece of clothing with your hands.

Wearing it properly

Wool is a very delicate fabric, it should be handled well  while being worn. Do not apply direct perfume sprays as it attracts moth. Besides, do not stretch your woolen cloth by tying it to your waist.  Avoid staining while eating.

 Dry Clean Reminder

All woolens need dry cleaning before they are being packed away for summers. Dry cleaning ensures that the quality of the wool and condition of the fabric is maintained till it’s time to dig in for next winter.