Winter Skincare Routine for Dry Skin in India

From November, much of India gets cooler and drier. In Delhi and across the North, the air loses its moisture, room heaters and hot showers come out, and skin that felt fine in October starts to feel tight after washing, look dull and flake around the nose and mouth. Even in milder cities, the change of season can unsettle skin. The good news: a few small changes to your daily routine go a long way.

• Dry air: cold air holds less water, so it pulls more of it out of your skin
• Room heaters: they warm the room but dry the air even further
• Hot water: long, hot showers and face washes rinse away the lipids your barrier needs
• Pollution and smog: winter smog in North Indian cities adds stress to skin that is already dry
• Drinking less water: we feel less thirsty in the cold, though water alone won’t fix dry skin

All of these weaken the skin barrier, the outer layer that keeps water in and irritants out. When it runs low on lipids, water escapes faster and skin feels rough, tight and easily irritated.

• Tightness: especially right after washing
• Flaking: around the nose, mouth and eyebrows
• Dullness: skin looks tired and makeup sits on dry patches
• Stinging: products you normally use suddenly feel uncomfortable
• Redness: dry patches that look pink or feel itchy

1. Cleanse gently: Use a mild, low-foam cleanser and lukewarm water, not hot. In the morning, a splash of water is often enough for dry skin.

2. Hydrate on damp skin: While your face is still slightly damp, press in two or three drops of Calming Serum. Its three forms of hyaluronic acid draw water into the skin, while centella asiatica, allantoin and panthenol help comfort it.

3. Seal it in: Follow with Barrier Repair Cream. Five ceramides, cholesterol and squalane help replenish moisture and support the skin’s natural protective barrier, so the water from step 2 stays where it belongs. In winter, use a little more than in summer, and pat an extra layer onto dry patches.

4. Protect: In the morning, finish with a broad-spectrum sunscreen, SPF 30 or higher. Winter sun still carries UV, especially on clear days and in the hills.

• More moisturiser: a slightly thicker layer than in summer, or a second thin layer at night
• Less exfoliation: cut scrubs and acids to once a week, or pause them if skin stings
• Gentler cleansing: swap foaming or oil-control washes for a mild one
• Lukewarm water: keep hot water for your body, not your face
• Lips and hands too: they have fewer oil glands and dry out first

Oily skin can still feel tight and dehydrated in winter: it is short on water, not oil. Keep the same routine with a lighter hand: the serum all over, a thin layer of cream on the T-zone and a little more on the cheeks.

• Very hot showers: they feel good in the cold but leave skin drier
• Skipping sunscreen: UV doesn’t go away in winter
• Scrubbing off flakes: moisturise them instead; rubbing makes dry skin more irritated
• Hyaluronic acid on dry skin, with nothing on top: in dry air, always seal it in with a moisturiser
• Sitting by the heater: if you can, use a humidifier or keep a bowl of water in the room

See a dermatologist if your skin cracks, bleeds, itches a lot or doesn’t improve with gentle care. Very dry, itchy patches can be eczema, which needs proper treatment.