No two people have identical skin. This is why all of us need individual skin care routines, particularly in winter, when the dry, cold weather robs the skin of its moisture and glow. Broadly, skin can be divided into three types -- dry, combination, oily. Each type needs a different skin care regime.
Dry skin
This type is the worst hit in winter.
Cleansing: Make sure you avoid soap totally. Use a soap-free cleanser to wash your face -- Cetaphil Cleansing Lotion, for example. Don't wash your face too frequently (up to one to two times). Use cleansing milk to clean your face at bedtime.
Moisturising: Use a heavy moisturiser like Nivea Intensive Care (Rs 210 for 200 ml) or Vaseline (Rs 100 for 200 ml). Continue to use sunscreen when going outdoors.Use lip balms liberally for chapped lips; sunflower oil or petroleum jelly are good alternatives.
Night care: For night-time care, apply a mixture of 1 part glycerin mixed with 2 parts rose water.
Bathing: Massage your body with olive oil before bathing. Use Oilatum soap. You can also add a few teaspoons of oil to your bath water. Do not use very hot water, as it dries the skin.
Scrubs: Use face scrubs sparingly -- not more than once a fortnight.
Face pack: You can apply a mixture of two teaspoons milk cream, a little rose water, four to five almonds or one teaspoon sesame seeds, ground to a paste.
Combination skin
Those of you who have a combination skin will find that either the T-zone (nose and forehead) or V-zone (cheeks and chin) is oilier than the rest of the face. This zone, hence, stays greasy while the rest of the face feels taut and dry.
Cleansing: Cleanse with a soap free cleanser only (Cetaphil) and follow it with a toner, applied only on the T or V zone, as the case may be. Don't wash your face more than two or three times per day.
Moisturising: Use a medium strength moisturiser like Johnson's Baby Lotion (Rs 80 for 100 ml).
Night Care: Use a night cream (like Alonurish Jojoba Night Cream -- Rs 100) only on the dry areas of your face.
Bathing: Use a moisturising soap like Dove or a baby soap.
Scrubs: Use a face scrub once a week and rub slightly more over the oilier zone of your face.
Face pack: Mix two teaspoons unboiled milk with one teaspoon honey and one teaspoon oats.
Oily skin
Rejoice. This is your season to glow! If you have oily skin, you don't need to worry too much about it in winter.
Cleansing: Use a face wash for normal skin (not an excessively drying one) like Neutrogena or even Pears soap. Wash your face up to three or four times.
Moisturising: Use a light moisturiser (Garnier's Sun Protective Moisturiser -- Rs 120) after applying a light toner, if needed.
Bathing: Avoid harsh or drying soaps that are meant for summer. Use soaps containing aloe vera, as it removes excess oil without being overly drying. The trick is to remove the natural oil produced by your skin only partially, so that a balance is maintained.
Scrubs: Use a face scrub twice a week. For a face pack, you can mix 2 teaspoons each, of curd and gram flour (besan). The besan removes extra oil and dead cells whereas curd softens and moisturises mildly.
If any of you develop problems like frostbite, cracked lips, flaky scalp or cracked heels, it's preferable to consult a dermatologist rather than try to self-treat. Chill out this winter with great looking skin!
