Winters are dearly enjoyed for their chilly breezes, snowfalls, and the cozy warmth offered by blankets and hot brews, like a cup of coffee. However, they can take a serious toll upon our facial skin and its health, giving rise to a host of dermatological conditions that can be tough to handle.
The biggest way in which winter alters the skin is by extracting moisture from it, thus drying it out. And this further leads to a host of other skin issues, such as acne, redness, itching, flakiness, and so on. Some of these skin issues include:-
Chafing– It happens when the epidermis, the skin’s outer layer, experiences constant friction, which results in damage and exposure of the lower dermis layer. Due to this, the skin becomes irritated and agitated-this is termed as chafing.
Irritation And Redness– When the skin constantly faces too much cold air, it is stripped of its natural oil and moisture content, leading to skin dryness. When left uncured, it may additionally cause redness and irritation.
Dry and Itchy Patches– This happens, again, due to a lack of moisture in certain areas or regions of the skin such as cheeks or the area around the nose, and this issue is all the more heightened during winters. The most usually witnessed symptoms of dry and itchy skin are redness, scaliness, and itching with small cracks in the skin.
Itchy Eyebrows and Flaking– Similar to an itchy and flaky scalp, the eyebrows too can develop the same issues, mainly owing to a skin condition called seborrheic dermatitis. And this condition especially worsens in winter.
Dry And Irritated Nose– This causes your nose to itch all the time and further causes redness. This is especially because our nose remains exposed to wintry conditions at all times, for the purpose of respiration. Hence, it can become irritated and dry due to such constant exposure.
How To Select The Best Face Washes For Winter
With such challenging skin issues to be looked after on a daily basis during winters, investing in good cosmetic products that will benefit your skin appropriately is essential. But with an endless list of products available in the market, how to figure out which one suits your skin type and its needs the best? Some helpful pointers for solving this dilemma include:-
Skin type– If you have a dry skin type, go for thicker moisturizers rich in fatty acids. Check for suitable ingredients, such as honey, that lock in moisture for longer intervals. Medium to oily skin types, on the other hand, should go for something lighter that both cleanses and hydrates but does not strip the skin of its natural oil content, thus not making it go dry.
Formula– Cleansers that lack a nourishing ingredient are surely a bad idea, as they will clean the skin but render it very dead and dry. Thus, either pick a cream or lotion formula, or a gel-based one with nourishing components. Such enriching elements strengthen and protect the skin’s lipid barrier and replace moisture loss.
Moisturizing Ingredient List– When buying your face wash, go for those labels that are packed with ingredients that retain water in the skin, such as hyaluronic acid. Similarly, milk, aloe vera, and honey are other beneficial ingredients for hydrating the skin, alleviating dryness issues, and adding softness and suppleness to the skin.
Some Useful Face Wash Picks!
Himalaya Fairness Kesar Face Wash
In case you want a cleanser that also helps to lighten your skin tone, this face wash is a boon. It is packed with Kesar, an ingredient that has skin lightening and fairness enhancing qualities. Its creamy and hydrating formula does not strip the skin of moisture, thus being a perfect pick for those with a dry skin type. This face wash is also soap-free, containing a natural formulation that adds brightness to a deeper skin tone. Other useful added ingredients for reviving tired skin are mint, pomegranate, and cucumber.
Pears Pure and Gentle Face Wash
Made with a gentle formula that is loaded with pure glycerin, this face wash softly moisturizes facial skin without leaving it stretchy and dry. It does deep-cleansing and scrapes away dead skin cells that only add dullness to the skin. A soap-free formulation, natural oils in this face wash ensure that your dried-out skin remains moisturized even during winters. Since it is a mild cleanser, it is also likely suitable for sensitive skin.
Aroma Magic Lavender Face Wash
The all-in-one formula mildly washes away all the skin impurities while preserving the moisture in the skin. It is enriched with shea butter, which provides layers-deep nourishment and keeps the skin flake-free during ruthless winters. Its three key ingredients are- lavender and orange extract, which aid in healing any free radical damage so as to turn your skin smooth and supple; and, rose essential oil works amazingly to soothe any irritation. This face wash is also soap-free, paraben-free, alcohol-free, and contains no artificial fragrances as well that may cause any added irritation.
Mamaearth Tea Tree Face Wash
Tea tree has been always considered an effective ingredient for fighting off skin-troubles like stubborn acne. Thus, the Mamaearth Tea Tree natural face wash is a powerful formula that is enriched with tea tree and lavender oil, with an extra dab of neem leaf extract. All these ingredients contain anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial qualities, and function together to thus curb the instance of irritation or infection which might arise out of skin dryness. Another beneficial addition is aloe vera, which helps correct disturbed skin texture, and contain excess oil secretion. Suitable for normal and dry skin, some other pros which make this face wash a good choice are that it is oil-free, paraben-free, silicon-free, is naturally anti-bacterial, and contains no other harmful chemicals.
With winters around the corner, make sure that you invest in a healthy and skin-suiting face wash, in order to better fight off any dryness and other related issues, and ensure that your skin is supple, moisturized, and nourished!