Best Winter Skincare Routine for Every Skin Type

After months of basking in the warmth of the summer sun, the cool winter breeze caressing your face feels like a breath of relief. As we look forward to enjoying the crisp winter air with hot cups of chai, we must remember that a seasonal change also means taking extra care of your skin.

Ayurveda recognises winter as a Kapha season with strong Vata undertones. It is the time of the year when the qualities of Kapha and Vata doshas are high in the atmosphere and can cause internal and external imbalances. A good winter skincare routine balances the Vata while not aggravating the Kapha dosha.

As the colder days draw near, taking proper care of your skin during winter may seem challenging, but you can retain your skin’s supple and glowing appearance by following a simple winter skincare routine. Read on to know more about the ideal winter skincare routine for your skin type.

Winter Skincare Routine for All Skin Types

Winter Skincare Routine for Dry Skin

According to Ayurveda, dry skin is characterised as a vata skin type since it embodies the dry, cold and rough properties of the vata dosha. Winters can be particularly harsh on dry skin as it increases the natural dryness and can lead to rough, flaky skin. To manage dryness caused by excess vata during winter, we need to follow a winter skincare routine that increases the countering qualities like warmth, unctuousness, and softness by choosing more nourishing and moisturising formulations.

1. Opt for a nourishing cleanser

While cleansing your skin is an essential step in your skincare routine, choosing the right cleanser is of the utmost importance in winter skincare. A nourishing cleanser is perfect for your winter skincare routine as it gently cleanses your skin without stripping off the natural oils. The Mashobra Honey, Lemon & Rosewater Delicate Facial Cleanser is crafted specifically for dry skin. The Honey infusion acts as a humectant as well as a cleansing agent that absorbs impurities from the skin; the Lemon Essential Oil refreshes and uplifts the skin, and Pure Rosewater gently tones and rehydrates the skin.

2. Gently exfoliate the flakiness away

After a gentle cleanse, add some exfoliation to your winter skincare routine to slough off the dead skin cells to reveal soft, smooth skin. The Hand Pounded Organic Fruit Scrub is ideal for a dry skin care routine for winter, as it cleanses while replenishing the skin’s moisture.

3. Nurture the skin barrier & seal in the moisture

During winter, it is vital to moisturise your skin with richer and more nourishing moisturisers that hydrate your skin and seal in the moisture. Our new addition, the Transformative Soundarya Night Cream, is a rich cream soaked in a 24K Gold serum and specially formulated to penetrate the deepest layers of the skin to deliver age-defying properties and intense nourishment by creating a moisture surge. It also contains high-performance actives such as Hyaluronic Acid, Manihot Extract and Bakuchiol that transform and renew your skin with every application.

Winter Skincare Routine for Oily Skin

As per Ayurveda, oily skin is characterised by dominant pitta and kapha doshas, which manifest in excess sebum production, acne-prone skin and enlarged pores. Winter is generally more suitable for this skin type due to its cold and drying properties, but the aggravation of kapha during winter may lead to excess oil production and skin sensitivity. To balance this excess of kapha and pitta, we need to include products with pitta–kapha pacifying properties in our winter skincare routine that control the oil production, tighten and unclog pores, and soothe the skin.

1. Refrain from over-cleansing

There is a tendency to over-cleanse oily skin due to the excessive amounts of oil present. Still, one should refrain from doing this because over-cleansing leads to the overproduction of sebum to compensate for the loss of natural oils and, in turn, makes the skin oilier. Instead, opt for a gentle cleanser suitable for oily skin and use it twice daily. The Kashmiri Saffron & Neem Delicate Facial Cleanser is the perfect addition to your winter care. It deeply penetrates the skin to unclog the pores, balance the oil and leave the skin refreshed and glowing.

2. Clarify your pores

A weekly round of gentle exfoliation is a must when it comes to winter care for oily skin. Exfoliation helps remove all the grime & impurities and clarifies your pores to give you more even textured skin. The Kashmiri Walnut Gel Scrub makes for the ideal oily skin exfoliator, as it deeply cleanses your pores without over-drying your skin.

3. Balance the excess oil

A toner is a good winter skincare addition for oily skin to balance your skin’s pH and sebum levels. It also helps tighten the pores to protect your skin and give a more even-toned complexion. The Bela Facial Tonic Mist & Shudhi Skin Clarifying Facial Spray are specially formulated for oily skin to unclog pores and provide constant hydration while balancing sebum production.

4. Don’t skip the moisturiser

While you may be tempted to skip the moisturiser to compensate for the excess natural oils, it is not a good idea. Skipping out on moisturiser can cause a loss of moisture and lead to an increase in oil production, leaving your skin oilier than before. Opt for a lighter, hydrating formula as part of your winter skincare routine. The Eladi Day Cream SPF 30 works well during the day as it is lightweight and does not make your skin oily. The Ojas Illuminating Night Beauty Balm, followed by the Kumkumadi Night Cream, provides the right amount of moisture and rejuvenation during your beauty sleep.

Winter Skincare Routine for Combination Skin

Ayurveda characterises combination skin as vata–kapha dominant. The dominance of kapha dosha leads to the overproduction of sebum, and vata’s effect keeps your skin partly dry. Aggravation of these doshas may lead to the formation of acne in the oily zones or dry, flaky skin in the areas surrounding the T-zone.

Due to its unique nature, combination skin can be easily affected by external factors like seasonal changes. Winters especially lead to an increase in dryness around the mouth and cheeks which can be corrected by adopting a winter skincare routine that balances the doshas.

1. Cleanse the right way

Choose a gentle cleanser that removes the excess oil but does not dry out your skin completely. Our traditional Facial Ubtans are hand pounded with natural, sun-dried ingredients that cleanse your skin without stripping away its natural moisture to leave it soft and supple.

2. Gentle exfoliation

Do not over-exfoliate your skin, as it may lead to sensitivity and inflammation. Choose a gentle, nourishing exfoliant that will remove the dead skin cell and product buildup.

The Deeply Nourishing Facial Cleansing Paste is ideal for combination skin winter skincare. It is a traditional blend of natural ingredients that exfoliate and hydrate to give your skin a fine porcelain texture and satin feel.

3. Hydrate your skin

Create a surge of hydration by incorporating a good moisturiser in your winter skincare routine. Pick a moisturiser that provides the proper moisture/ hydration without clogging your pores. The Advanced Sanjeevani Beauty Elixir, followed by any of our Light Day Lotions, is ideal for the daytime as they are light and nourishing. The Advanced Youth Formula Date & Litchi is a great night cream, providing intense nourishment and rejuvenation while you sleep.

The above winter skincare routines are specific to your skin type, but one step that is crucial to every skincare routine is applying SPF. While the sun’s rays may not feel as warm or strong on your skin during the winter, its ultraviolet (UV) rays continue to break down your skin cells faster, regardless of the season. Wearing broad-spectrum sunscreen protects your skin from the sun’s harmful rays and prevents premature ageing. Our Sun Fluid SPF 50 | PA ++ is an Ayurvedic formulation that shields your skin from damaging UV rays and keeps your skin hydrated with an invisible veil of protection throughout the day.

FAQs

How to take care of your skin in winter naturally?

Drink lots of water to hydrate your skin from within, and consume spices, nuts & ghee that are warming and nourishing. You can also indulge in the Ayurvedic practice of Abhyanga or body massage with warm oils to moisturise your skin and flush out all the toxins.

Why is skincare important in winter?

During winter, the cold breeze and dryness decrease our skin moisture levels making it dry and dull. Indulging in a winter skincare routine ensures that your skin is well moisturised and prevents dryness & dullness of skin.

What are the dos and don’ts of oily skin in winter?

Dos-

• Use a gentle cleanser that cleans your skin without over-drying.
• Exfoliate with an exfoliant 1-2 times a week.
• Clarify your pores and balance the excess oil with a toner.
• Moisturise your skin with a lightweight, nourishing moisturiser.

Don’ts-

• Refrain from over-cleansing your skin with a harsh cleanser.
• Avoid exfoliating more than twice a week.
• Do not skip the moisturiser.

Which moisturiser is good for oily skin in winter?

The Forest Essentials Eladi Cream for the day time & Ojas Illuminating Night Beauty Balm for night time are good for oily skin types as they are light in texture and nourish your skin without clogging your pores & causing breakouts.

Which moisturiser is good for dry skin in winter?

The Forest Essentials Soundarya Radiance Cream & Transformative Soundarya Night Cream is the perfect AM to PM duo specially formulated for dry skin type. These Ultra-nourishing formulations are enriched with a 24 K Gold serum to provide intense moisture to the skin.

How can I keep my skin glowing in winter?

Follow a basic cleansing, toning (recommended for oily skin) and moisturising routine with products that best suit your skin. Apply sunscreen after your moisturiser to ensure sun protection throughout the day. Also, consume lots of water and good fats to nourish your skin from within.

How many times should I moisturise in the cold season?

You should moisturise after every time you cleanse your skin. Twice a day is generally sufficient to maintain supple skin. If your skin is prone to extreme dryness, you can moisturise more than twice, depending on how your skin feels.

References

https://vedix.com/blogs/articles/what-is-combination-skin-and-how-manage-it

https://www.dermatologistnewyork.org/blog/why-you-still-need-sunscreen-in-the-winter-and-which-type-is-best#:~:text=Do%20I%20really%20need%20to,in%20a%20condition%20called%20photoaging.

https://artoflivingretreatcenter.org/blog/ayurveda-for-dry-skin/

https://www.banyanbotanicals.com/info/blog-the-banyan-insight/details/winter-skincare/