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Photo K. Ananthan

Keep it supple Apply cold cream to your face before you go to bed

Sadly, however, the cold months are also the time a little negligence could cost you dearly. Dry patches on the skin, crinkles around the nose, chapped lips, cracked heels… the list is endless.

A little attention is all that your skin needs. So, here are a few tips to glow as sunshine.

It is vital to drink plenty of water to keep your skin well hydrated. Says C.R. Srinivas, Professor and Head, Department of Dermatology, PSG IMS and R, that one should never apply oil to the skin before taking a shower.

One can apply oil or moisturiser within three minutes of taking bath, when the skin is still wet. “Never bathe in hot water, for it turns the skin dry. Always use lukewarm or cold water.”

The showers must be short, insists Lalita Fernandes, Area Manager, VLCC, Coimbatore. Long, and hot showers deplete the natural skin moisturiser. Add a few drops of oil to the water while bathing to retain moisture. Use a paste of ground greengram powder instead of soap. Apply cold cream to your face before going to bed. Moisten your body with a good moisturiser or a creamy hand and body lotion.

Use ample face cream on the face at night, and massage for 10 minutes. Wash with warm water. Massage the body with warm oil at least once a week. While going out, use SPF sunscreen on face, neck and all visible parts of body. Avoid face powders or dry make-ups, as they tend to flake out, says Lalita.

For cracked lips, one can apply petroleum jelly-based products or ghee at night, says Manveen Kaur, Consultant Dermatologist and Cosmetologist.

While dry and superficially cracked heels require a coat of moisturiser and then one of any petroleum jelly-based product, bleeding and painful heels call for a visit to the dermatologist. Avoid walking on dusty areas, and walking barefoot. Wear footwear at home, and consider wearing socks at night. When you bathe in a vertical position, all the dead cells from the body collect on the feet, so bend while you bathe. Further, clean your feet gently using a pumice stone.

In the mornings, splash cold water on your face, and get a breath of fresh air. Those washing clothes and cleaning utensils should use gloves, or dab on some moisturisers after the job is done.

Children and the aged, too, can use moisturisers. On very cold days, elders can use moisturisers even thrice a day.

Though there is no need for a special diet during the cold months, a regular, healthy and balanced diet, with a normal dose of vitamin A, is advisable, says Manveen.

Woollen clothes should not come in contact with the skin, as they may cause irritation, she says. While travelling, choose clothes that cover you well, for, the wind and the humidity tend to remove moisture from your skin. Indoors or outdoors, always go in for occlusive wear and cotton inner wear, says Srinivas.

Now that you know what needs to be done, happy skin pampering!

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