Beat the blues! A skincare guide to winter wellness

The onset of winter brings about a chill along with dry air and pollution which can lead to mood swings, making the mind and body sluggish and the skin feeling dry. Consequently, this can make one feel a bit low.

Here are some easy tips to fight winter blues.

Stay Hydrated

Winter is when water intake, involuntarily, is reduced. This winter, make sure you drink lots of it. The best way to feel better is to stay hydrated inside and out. Modern science is proving the link between healthy gut and immune system. Support your gut flora by eating prebiotic foods, plant-based and fermented options.

Skincare Hacks
With the drop in temperature, you need to take extra care of your exposed skin to lock the moisture and keep it healthy. Also recent studies have shown that exposure to hormone- disrupting chemicals such as parabens, phthalates, formaldehyde & GMO have carcinogenic, hormone-disrupting, and allergenic effects causing irreparable damage.

Lip balm: It takes seconds for lips to dry out in winter, so be sure you always have a hydrating lip treatment on hand.

Turn on the humidifier: Use the humidifier by your bed and you are likely to find your skin feeling a lot less dry in the mornings.

Moisturise, moisturise & moisturise: Nothing is worse than feeling the dry cracked winter skin. Apply body lotion and face cream generously to retain and enhance the moisture content of your skin. Use it twice a day for better results.

Massage frequently: It is a must in this season to massage your scalp and body with oil before taking a shower. The fatty acids present in the oil create a protective fence around the skin and help replenish the skin’s nourishment. It is best to use slightly warm oil, as it is absorbed by the skin more easily.

Deep hair conditioning: Never skip the conditioner during winter. Use a thick, creamy conditioner containing natural oils like coconut, olive and shea butter for deep hydration and nourishment. Weekly hair mask treatments are an excellent preventative measure to ensure your overall hair health.

Do not forget sunscreen: Lastly, apply sunscreen properly all over the exposed parts, including the face, neck and hands. Most people associate sunscreen with summer, but it is equally essential to use it in winter months Sunscreen shields the skin from harmful UV rays and prevents skin discolouration.

The author is the Group Head of Brand, Community & Digital, Fabindia