Some people are born with sensitive skin, while others develop it over time. If someone’s skin is persistently or seasonally tight, dry, flaky, peachy, or irritated, it is time to change things up, regardless of whether they are a seasonal or year-round sufferer. Winters can be particularly difficult for those with sensitive skin. Low humidity levels and chilly weather result in dry air, which dehydrates the skin completely. Sometimes, the skin can get so dry that it can crack, similar to how lips and feet crack in the winter. The severe winter winds aggravate the situation. However, if prompt action is taken, this can be controlled and dealt with. As a result, it is critical to take proper care of delicate skin in winter.

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How to make your sensitive skin glow during Winter

Here are some effective tips to take care of sensitive skin during winter.

Oil or cream cleansing

Cleansers based on foaming or salicylic acid are effective in removing dirt and oil, but they contain sulfates, which can be drying. Cleansing creams, balms, and oils can thoroughly cleanse the skin while keeping it moisturized and preventing the skin barrier from being disrupted.

If someone has pimples, trying acne-targeted skincare that contains salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide is a good idea. When used in excess, these abrasive chemicals can aggravate dry skin. If someone is a regular user, they should combine those items with pH-optimized skincare to help restore equilibrium to skin barriers that have been disrupted.

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Light exfoliation

The benefits of exfoliation, when done correctly, are well known. Gentle exfoliation can help remove dead skin cells that have accumulated due to the dry winter air, leaving the skin glowing and allowing the post-cleansing moisturizer to absorb more effectively. While exfoliating helps brighten the skin by removing dead cells, doing so too often can damage the outer skin layer, causing dryness and discomfort. Exfoliating once a week at first, then twice a week only if one can handle it, is deemed safe.

Antioxidant serums

Serums are the one exception to the rule, as most summery products are replaced in the winter. An antioxidant serum is great for year-round use as long as it is alcohol-free. No matter the environment, skin is attacked by free radicals, producing sunspots, collagen breakdown, and premature fine lines. Applying a vitamin C mix as a first layer in the morning before adding on heavier products to avoid damage should be considered. People with such skin should not forget the sunscreen—even on cold, overcast days, a daily dose of SPF 30 will keep the skin protected.

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Heavy moisturizing

Perhaps one of the most important and commonly overlooked steps in the dry skin game is changing to a seriously hydrating moisturizer. Look for creams, rather than lotions, that are made with ceramides and hyaluronic acid. Ceramides aid in the prevention of the skin’s barrier, which is easily broken down during the winter. For patients with severely chapped faces layering on a hefty amount of product morning and night is a good idea.

Wearing overnight masks

The world of skincare masks is quite extensive. Designed to be the final step of the nighttime skin regimen, overnight masks help lock in all those serums, creams, and oils that were applied before. The skin undergoes circadian rhythms. Skin hydration levels start to decline in the afternoon and continue overnight, so p.m. masking is extremely helpful to keep the skin hydrated. If a person is sleeping in a room with particularly dry heat, they should pair the overnight mask with a bedside humidifier to further seal in moisture. 

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Lukewarm water

Hot showers and baths are a real luxury in the cold. The side effects, on the other hand, might be quite damaging to sensitive skin. To avoid losing natural oils from the skin, use lukewarm water to wash the face and hands instead of hot water.

Eye cream

Eye cream, like a serum, is a phase in the beauty routine that offers a plethora of skin-boosting and anti-aging effects. Eye cream is essential during the winter months for several reasons. Dry, dehydrated skin draws attention to fine lines and emphasizes wrinkles.

When the cold, dry winds drive the eyes to water continually, the delicate skin around the eyes can become easily chapped. Collagen and elastin to rebuild skin's structure and fill in fine wrinkles, peptides to promote healthy tissue, and antioxidants to encourage cell regeneration and fight free radical damage are all ingredients to look for.

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Lip balm

Many people suffer from dry, chapped, or painfully cracked lips as a result of the cold weather. Because the lips lack oil glands, they are more prone to drying out. As a result, they are unable to replace their own moisture. To remove dry skin from the lips, gently touch them with a wet towel or a clean, soft toothbrush. And then protect the lips with a creamy, moisturizing balm this winter.

Moisturizing lotion

Protecting the skin from the winter cold does not just apply to the face; it also applies to the entire body. During this time one may have felt a tense, itching sensation across the back. The arms and legs are covered in a snowfall of dry skin. In the cold, that light, mostly-water recipe summer lotion that worked well in warmer weather may not be as effective.

If the skin absorbs lotion quickly, opting for a thicker recipe with fatty lipids, like shea butter, to provide an excellent moisture barrier is the right step. To lock in moisture, one should apply body lotion as soon as they get out of the shower or bath. It will also replenish any moisture lost from standing under that scorching hot water while preparing for the post-shower chills.

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Hand cream

The protective layer of the epidermis, the skin's top layer, is undermined when it is too dry, leaving the skin vulnerable to damage and injury. Because the hands have so few oil glands, it is critical to replenish moisture in order to keep the skin's protective barrier intact. Give the hands a treat with a thick, creamy hand cream that will hydrate the skin and eliminate dryness.

It can be difficult to discover cosmetics that are suitable for sensitive skin. Winter can be particularly difficult for delicate skin, but that is not the end of it all. This winter, protect and soothe your sensitive skin by making a few changes to your skincare routine.

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