The sun is rising earlier and setting sooner. With the changing season and a nip in the air, transition and transformation is key. If you don’t have an everyday body care routine in place yet, we’re here to help you adopt a hyper-hydrating routine. Cosmetic dermatologist, Dr Jaishree Sharad’s tell us how to pick the right products as the weather changes. Here’s what she had to say:
Change this with immediate effect
Choose to shower with cool or lukewarm water. “We love scalding hot showers, but it is very harsh on the skin and leads to itchy and dry skin,” says Dr Sharad. “Get rid of all kind of soapy gels and bars, they are known to be harsh on the skin and mess with the pH balance,” she states emphatically. If you have normal skin, just switch to a paraben-free, fragrance-free, foam-free gentle body cleanser that won’t make your skin feel scaly. If you have particularly dry skin, she suggests a creamier soap-free cleanser.
Products to try: Kiehl’s Made for All Gentle Body Wash, INR 4,000; Sebamed Olive Face & Body Wash Ph5.5, INR 633
The when and how of moisturising
Once your skin is accustomed to the new cleanser, you can introduce a heavy moisturiser to your routine. “Several people skip this step, but the skin on our hands and feet show signs of ageing much quicker than the rest of the body. Start with a light body oil so you can adapt quicker,” she suggests. The ideal time to moisturise is right after a shower: “Give your skin a pat-down so it’s still a little damp, and then apply your moisturiser immediately, so it locks in hydration and makes it supple.” If you have oily skin or are prone to back acne, allow the product to soak into the skin after application. Leftover moisturiser on the surface accumulates dirt, which will affect your skin adversely.
Picking the right moisturiser
The skin type and routine will also determine the kind of moisturiser you should get, “if you have normal skin, body oil is good enough, but if you have severely dry skin then you will need a creamier, richer moisturiser which will have to be applied twice a day.” If your hectic morning doesn’t leave room for an extra step you can just do with body oil or a quick-absorbing formula in the morning, but you will need to use a heavy-duty moisturiser at night before you sleep.
Look for ingredients like shea butter, cocoa butter and products enriched with vitamin E.
Products to try: Mamaearth CoCo Body Butter For Dry Skin With Coffee & Cocoa For Deep Moisturization, INR 599; The Body Shop Shea Body Butter, INR 1,995
The diet
Your diet will also affect the way your skin reacts to the weather. “Eat sunflower and pumpkin seeds, and fruits with humectant properties, like oranges, strawberries, and even celery.” During the warmer months, you naturally drink more water due to the heat, but you may need to remind yourself to stay hydrated in winter as well. Put an alarm on your phone or place a few of bottles of water on your desk so you are reminded that you need to finish them through the day.
Sunscreen
This isn’t an afterthought, but if you are transitioning your body care routine, there are chances your body will need time to get accustomed to it. “Sunscreen is imperative, be it winter or summer. Because of the added moisture on the skin, you can opt for a spray sunscreen, especially on the hands and feet,” she suggests.
Products to try: Avene Very High Protection Spray SPF 50+, INR 2,490; Cheryl’s Cosmeceuticals DermaShade SPF 30 Spray, INR 575
Exfoliation
If you don’t get rid of the dead skin cells, no amount of moisturiser would work on your body. There are two options to exfoliate: body scrub and dry brushing. You can buy a body scrub or make your own scrub with leftover coffee grounds. Dry brushing is exactly what it sounds like: massage your skin with a dense brush before a shower, moving towards the heart. This doesn’t just exfoliate your skin, but it also aids lymphatic drainage, increases blood circulation, and over time reduces the appearance of cellulite over time. You could do either of these once a week.
Products to try: The Body Shop Long Handled Cactus Bath Brush, INR 1,395; WooyMo Dry Skin Body Brush INR 275; The Coconut People Coconut and Mint Body Scrub, INR 1,250; Sephora Collection Exfoliating Body Granita, INR 1,650
Well, there you have it, a conclusive guide to body care for the winters. Let’s hydrate!
