As the season's change, your skin becomes tighter, duller, and more damaged. Worst of all? It's reflected in your expression. That ashy, matte appearance is unappealing, and it goes beyond dryness.

Why does your skin get dull and dry during winters?

Changes in humidity and temperature in the winter produce ideal circumstances for dry skin, also known as xerosis. The absence of moisture in the air is the primary cause of dull skin in the winter. Moisture is required for the skin barrier to function properly. It is a scientific fact that in the winters, there is less moisture in the skin and fewer lipids in the skin barrier than in the summer. Dryness and itchiness are caused by these variations. During winters, people frequently turn up their home heating, reducing humidity and affecting the amount of moisture available to the skin. Simultaneously, the chilly outdoor temperature, severe winds, and rain can deplete the skin's natural moisturising oils. Taking hot baths or showers can also harm the skin's surface, causing it to become dry. Using strong soaps and excessively massaging the skin during drying might cause skin damage.

How to rejuvenate dull and dry skin?

1. Remember to exfoliate dead skin

No matter how many serums and lotions you apply, dry skin will remain dry if you don't exfoliate. Even if your skin is dry or not overly oily, exfoliation is required. Although there may appear to be a lot to do in the winter, most people in northern India experience a lot of pollution during this time of year. Dirt and dead skin cells can accumulate on the skin's surface, making it look dull and dry. Exfoliating regularly is the first step in eliminating dullness. There are 3 types of exfoliating methods. Let’s break this down so you can choose your method for your skin type.:

2. Physical Exfoliation

Physical exfoliants are the ones with small beads or granules that aid in removing dead skin from the outer layer of your skin. During winters, to get rid of the dead skin, pick up a soft scrub, anything with a little Glycolic or Lactic Acid. Such as the Plum Green Tea Gentle Revival Scrub, which is rich in Green Tea and Glycolic Acid and gently exfoliates dead skin without depleting your skin of its natural oils.

3. Chemical Exfoliation

Ingredients like Beta Hydroxy Acids(BHA) and Alpha Hydroxy Acids(AHA) are used to make chemical exfoliants. They don't work the same way as their physical versions. The intercellular glue that binds dead cells together is dissolved by chemical exfoliants. They are especially beneficial if you have a lot of skin irritation. Peels, serums, cleansers, and toners are all examples of chemical exfoliation. One great chemical exfoliant is the Dot & Key Hydro Peel Glow Potion 10% AHA+2% BHA Exfoliating Serum infused with Grapefruit, Borage Seed Oil, Pineapple and Willow Bark that not only remove dead skin but nourish your skin after and is suitable for all skin types. Read more about the ABC’S of Exfoliation here.

4. Enzyme Exfoliation

Enzyme exfoliation is a sort of chemical exfoliation in which the "glue" that holds dead, dulling skin cells together is broken away. To shed skin cells and speed up the skin's natural exfoliation process, enzyme exfoliation is gentler than AHA chemical exfoliants which is best during winters and if you want to start off slowly. Try the Aminu Forest Bath VIT-B Enzyme Scrub.A powerful formula that significantly brightens skin, evens out skin tone, and unclogs pores. It contains natural beads (not micro-plastic beads) that gently remove dead skin cells and impurities from the skin without causing irritation.

Everything you use on your skin, especially moisturisers, penetrates better after it has been buffed, providing you with much-needed hydration.

5. Intensify your hydration and start layering your products

The absence of moisture in the air is the primary cause of dull skin in the winter. This implies that a thick cream or oil is insufficient to provide skin with the necessary nutrients. Fats are primarily found in creams and oils, which means they aid in the formation of a protective barrier on the skin and prevent moisture from escaping its deeper layers. These lotions won't help much if there is not much moisture, to begin with. Overall, you'll need to find other ways to add moisture. This entails first applying water-rich items to your skin, followed by a lipid barrier such as butter, cream, or oil since maintaining an oil-water balance throughout the year is essential.

Our recommendation? Something with Hyaluronic Acid, as well as aqua-based lotions, gel creams, and essences, aid in moisture retention. Such as the Neemli Naturals Hyaluronic and Oat Amino Acid Moisturiser with a lightweight and fast-absorbing formula that keeps your skin plump and hydrated and the Qurez Hydrating Moisturizer With Niacinamide And Hyaluronic Acid with Vitamin E, Glycerin and Tea Tree Oil making it suitable for all skin types.On the other hand, dehydrated skin responds favourably to hydrating toners such as the Dear, Klairs Supple Preparation Unscented Toner that rejuvenates and restores your skin’s moisture.

6. Sheet Masks for the win

Sheet masks may seem heavy and ineffective the rest of the year, as they only seem to make skin sticky when it's humid. They do, however, aid in the delivery of nutrients and hydration to parched and injured skin during the winter. Regardless of the formula, the ultimate goal of a sheet mask is to hydrate and brighten the face. The Dear, Klairs Rich Moist Soothing Tencel Sheet Mask not only hydrates your skin but also soothes and calms your skin from any redness or irritation. An add-on to this is the fact that it is made up of 100% cotton which shows deep respect for the environment.

7. Vitamins C and E can help you glow from the inside out

Vitamin C is well-known for its skin-brightening properties since it not only helps lighten scars and reduce pigmentation but also makes skin appear buffed and radiant. Furthermore, it is known to aid in the retention of moisture in the skin, making it plumper. As a result, many people use it with vitamin E-rich products. Vitamin E is an emollient, which means it moisturises and strengthens the skin. As a result, vitamin C boosts its efficiency. A perfect product with these ingredients is the Coccoon Repairing Night Cream With Vitamin C Kakadu Plum And Shea Butter with Kakadu Plum which is rich in Vitamin C, Vitamin E and Shea Butter which is the perfect way of balancing oil and water in your skin.

8. Harsh Cleansers Should Be Avoided

Replace any face washes with drying chemicals, such as to scents or additives, with those that contain chamomile or oatmeal. A gentle cleanser like the Shankara Hydrating Cleanser is a fantastic alternative because it will not deplete skin of its natural oils and is rich in Chamomile and Aloe Vera which nourishes your skin while keeping it hydrated which are necessary to protect general moisture. Another affordable alternative is the FAI Hydrating Low PH Cleanser infused with Aloe Vera Extract, Colloidal Oatmeal, Green Tea Extract and Hyaluronic Acid which helps soothe calm and irritated skin and prevent dryness and add that extra moisture boost you need during this time of the year.

9. Try priming with a facial oil

 We could always recommend using an illuminating primer to achieve that glow, but we think a facial oil that also provides skin with care while also adding brightness is a superior option. Makeup frequently contains alcohol and a variety of other drying substances, causing even oily skin to lose moisture. To avoid this, apply face oil to your skin before applying any foundation or concealer. It not only protects but also repairs and moisturises the skin. Our Thyme Organic Skin Radiance Booster Facial Oil is a 100% toxic chemical-free facial oil with 14 excellent ingredients and 13 cold-pressed and essential oils.

10. This time of year, cream blushes & highlighters are ideal

 In dry weather, cream blushes and tints blend seamlessly into the skin and don't melt away like they do in summer. Furthermore, their rich, creamy texture guarantees that skin appears plump rather than rouged with gritty powder. This kind of glow on the apples of the cheeks looks fresh and natural in the winter. Like the Daughter Earth Super Antioxidant Lip & Cheek Tint that seamlessly blends into your skin giving you a natural flushed look.

Similarly, finely milled shimmer blushes and highlighters that impart a gentle glow to the cheeks are great in this weather, when glistening skin, not oil or sweat, is a sign of good health. Mixing and combining these ingredients helps to overcome the lifelessness that this weather brings. A great cream highlighter for this season is the Ilana Organics Celestial Pop Cream Highlighter + Luminizer infused with Aloe Vera and Glycerine that hydrates your skin and leaves it looking dewy and fresh.

11. Fix a night-time routine

Stick to a routine every night before bed to ensure good skin in the morning. Apply a gentle eye cream to the under eyes and lids after applying your face serum and moisturiser, such as Just Herbs I'brite Almond-Green Tea Nourishing Under Eye Cream. Vaseline can be applied to the region for added protection. The cream will be sealed in, preventing redness and eczema, which are both frequent during this time of year.

Finally, while the warmth of an evening shower may feel wonderful on a chilly day, rinse times to five minutes or less and use warm—not hot—water to avoid dehydration on the skin. Pick up a creamy cleanser like the Aminu Creamy Body Cleanser instead of irritating soap bars or harsh body washes. Apply a thick body moisturiser like Tree Hut 24 Hour Intense Hydrating Shea Body Butter Tropical Mango within 60 seconds of stepping out of the shower to help skin retain moisture throughout the day.

Here's to skin that's happy, healthy, and hydrated.

- Nishita Tahalramani