Essential Winter Skin Care Routine for Healthy Skin

Winter isn't all about cozy nights and hot chocolate; it also brings challenges, such as dry, dull skin. With low humidity and heating on, your skin loses its natural moisture, resulting in more irritation and flakiness. And to help you beat all this, read our take on an essential winter skincare routine to achieve a healthy, glowy and hydrated skin and powered by products from Springs. 

Why Winter Skin Care Matters? 

During winter, the air becomes dry and harsh, which makes the skin super dehydrated. And to add to it, hot showers make it worse, leading to rough texture, fine lines and irritation. To make sure your skin is nourished and your skin barrier is protected, you need to maintain a consistent skincare routine for best results. 

Springs offers a wide range of authentic skincare brands, from cleansers and moisturizers to serums and toners, for you to maintain a skincare routine that results in healthy skin during winter. 

1- Start with a Gentle, Hydrating Cleanser 

The first thing you need to switch to during winter is a non-foaming, gentle cleanser. Dermatologists usually recommend cream-based or oil-based cleansers that don't dry your skin. Many of the cleansers that we use tend to strip away the essential oils from our skin and make it tight and dry. 

Some common ingredients you should look for in your cleansers are glycerin, ceramides and hyaluronic acid. These ingredients help retain the moisture. 

Quick Tip: Don't wash your face with hot water in winter. Always try and use lukewarm water and pat dry your face. 

2- Hydrating Toner or Serum 

Applying a hydrating toner or serum is a must after cleansing. Go for formulas that contain hyaluronic acid, niacinamide or panthenol (Vitamin B5), which deeply hydrate and strengthen the skin barrier. At Springs, you can find a range of hydrating serums and toners from both international and local brands. 

Quick Tip: Applying serums to a little damp skin gives the best results, followed by a moisturiser. 

3- Rich Moisturizer 

As the weather gets chillier and you can sense winter is almost here, it's time to upgrade your moisturizer from a light formula to a rich, creamy formula. It should help seal in moisture and protect the skin barrier, and not just hydrate for the time being. 

Try and look for ingredients like shea butter, ceramides and squalane in your moisturizers. Make sure you apply enough moisturizer when you go to bed for long-lasting hydration. 

Quick Tip: Add a drop of facial oil to your moisturizer for extra nourishment. 

4- Sunscreen 

One of the common mistakes people make is skipping sunscreen during winter. Even though the sun might be weaker, the UV rays are still there and can cause long-term damage to your skin. One of the interesting facts is that the sunlight that reflects off snow or fog increases UV exposure. 

You should definitely keep on applying your sunscreen as you used to do during summer. Or you can always switch to sunscreens for dry skin if your skin tends to get super dry during winter. 

5- Care for Lips, Hands and Feet

Your lips and hands are usually the first ones to get affected by cold and dry air. Keeping a nourishing lip balm with you at all times is a must. You should make sure you are applying it several times during the day, especially after having a meal. 

You should try and use lotions or hand creams that contain shea butter or lanolin for a thick and nourishing formula. The best time to apply a heavy layer of lotions or hand creams is before bed. 

Quick Tip: Apply a good amount of lotion with a few drops of essential oil on your feet and wear socks. You will thank us later. 

6- Adjust your Shower Routine 

Hot showers are definitely tempting during winter, but sadly, they strip your skin of natural oils and result in dry and flaky skin. Try to keep your showers shorter and use super-hydrating soap or shower gels. Keep the water lukewarm as well. 

Quick Tip: Right when you step out of the shower, apply lotion on slightly damp skin to keep it hydrated. 

7- Stay Hydrated Within 

As winters start, your water intake also goes down. You need to make sure you keep your body super hydrated, as that is the key to healthy skin. Drinking plenty of water, herbal teas and eating water-rich foods like oranges and leafy greens helps in keeping the moisture level at a sufficient amount. 

Quick Tip: Add some fruits or salts to your water to make it more hydrating and yummy. 

8- Indoor Moisture 

There are days when the use of heaters takes place in Karachi. And when that happens, there is a lot of dry air indoors, which can lead to parched skin. Using a humidifier or keeping a bowl of water near heaters helps in maintaining the moisture in the air.

Final thoughts 

A proper routine doesn't have to be complicated. It can be simple and well-curated with the use of proper products that help achieve a hydrating and radiant skin. 

To get your hands on all the products for your skin, Springs offers a curated range of winter skincare must-haves that are great for dry skin. You can find brands like Eucerin, La Roche-Posay and CeraVe that are great for dry and sensitive skin.

Each product is authentic, dermatologist-approved, and available for fast delivery across Pakistan at Springs.