(5-Steps) Winter Skin Care Routine for Dry Skin in Pakistan: A Hydrating Guide to Glowing Skin

Winter in Pakistan can be extremely unpredictable. One day, it’s dry winds from Quetta and the next, you’re wrapping up in Lahore’s chilly fog. The season is eagerly awaited but equally dreaded, especially for those with dry skin since it can feel like a battle against flakiness and tightness. But don’t worry, we’ve got you covered with a 5-step skin care routine tailor-made to keep your skin hydrated, soft, and radiant all winter long.

What Happens to Your Skin in Winter?

Winter’s chill might feel refreshing, but it’s a tough season for your skin. The drop in temperature, combined with low humidity, saps moisture from your skin, leaving it dry, flaky, and sometimes even cracked. Add indoor heating to the mix, and the dryness worsens as the warm air strips away your skin's natural oils. Harsh winds can also weaken your skin's protective barrier, leading to redness and irritation.

For those in Pakistan, where winters vary from Karachi's mild dryness to the biting cold of northern regions, the challenge lies in adapting your skincare routine to combat both environmental and climate-related factors. This means that you need to have a tailored, hydrating skincare routine for winter essential to keeping your skin healthy and resilient.

The 5 Step Routine:

It does not matter if you’re a skincare newbie or consider yourself a seasoned expert, there is a foolproof, basic routine that works for everyone and we are here to help you adapt it to your skin.

Cleansing should be the start of every hydrating, winter skincare routine. But keep in mind, a cleanser needs to be one that cleans the dirt and impurities but does not strip your skin of its natural oils. Winter’s cold, dry air can damage the skin, and harsh cleansers only make things worse.

What to Look For: Opt for cream-based or hydrating gel cleansers containing ingredients like glycerin, ceramides, or aloe vera. These not only clean the skin but also lock in moisture.

Pro Tips: If you're in areas with hard water, try rinsing your face with filtered water or wiping it with a damp, clean cloth to reduce dryness caused by mineral-heavy water. Moreover, limit cleansing to twice a day with cold or lukewarm water to ensure that your skin

Exfoliation is key to removing dead skin cells that accumulate more during winter, causing dullness and flakiness. Exfoliation ensures better absorption of serums and moisturizers, leaving your skin smoother, healthier and brighter.

What to use: Go for gentle exfoliants containing ingredients like lactic acid or jojoba beads. Chemical exfoliants (AHAs or BHAs) are great for dry skin as they dissolve dead skin cells without requiring excessive scrubbing of the skin.

Pro Tips: Over-exfoliation can damage your skin barrier, so limit it to once or twice a week. Also always follow up exfoliation with intense hydration to prevent any dryness or irritation.

Hydration is the star of any winter skin care routine. After cleansing and exfoliating, your skin is ready to soak in nourishing treatments and serums. You have an abundance of options with serums and treatments and it's up to you to choose the one you like!

Hydrating serums: Use serums containing hyaluronic acid, glycerin, or niacinamide, which attract and lock in moisture, leaving your skin plump and smooth. Serums penetrate deep into your skin to deliver concentrated hydration and nutrients, restoring the skin’s natural glow.

The Hydra FX Moisturising Serum works for all skin types by providing deep hydration with hyaluronic acid and glycerin, soothing irritation with aloe vera and allantoin, all the while protecting the skin barrier ensuring soft, calm, and plump skin. This serum can make the perfect addition to your skincare routine!

Treatments: If you’re dealing with specific winter skin concerns like redness or dullness, incorporate soothing treatments with ingredients like vitamin E, aloe vera, or squalane.

Pro Tip: Apply your serum while your skin is slightly damp for maximum absorption.

The most crucial step in a winter skin care routine is moisturizing. In winter, your skin’s barrier becomes weaker and the wind literally steals moisture from you skin, so a rich moisturizer can help lock in hydration and protect your skin from harsh conditions.

What to look for: Look for moisturizers with occlusive and emollient ingredients like shea butter, ceramides, and oils (argan or almond oil). These create a protective layer on your skin to prevent moisture loss. If you're in hilly areas like Murree or Abbottabad, invest in a heavier occlusive cream to seal in moisture.

Pro Tips: Apply your moisturizer while your skin is still damp from the serum to trap maximum hydration. At nightime, use a heavier night cream before bed for deep hydration while you sleep.

The Hydra FX Moisturizing Cream is an affordable, local moisturiser formulated for Pakistani skin and is an ideal for a winter skincare product. It delivers deep hydration with glycerin, sodium hyaluronate, and ceramides, while restoring the skin’s protective barrier and providing immediate relief to dry, inflamed skin.

You might think winter clouds shield you from the sun’s harmful UV rays, but this is a myth. Sunscreen remains a non-negotiable step in your basic 5-step skin care routine, even when you’re cozy in a sweater.

UV rays can cause premature aging and hyperpigmentation, regardless of the season. In fact, the snow in northern areas like Swat or Skardu can reflect sunlight, increasing UV exposure.

Sunscreen also adds an extra layer of moisture to your skin so not only does it protect from the sun, but also plays a role in protecting from harsh winds and dryness, making it the perfect end to your 5 step routine.

What to Look For: Choose a sunscreen with at least SPF 30 or higher, preferably one with moisturizing properties to prevent further drying.

Products from the Solero Sunscreen Range are the perfect addition to a winter skincare routine as they provide broad-spectrum protection against UV damage. The Solero Sunblock SPF 40- Sebum Control sunscreen offers a lightweight, non-greasy hydration solution for those with excessively oily skin. The Solero Sunblock SPF 100 offers deep moisturisation to those with dry skin, keeping your skin nourished and shielded from the harsh winter sun in both cases.

Additional Tips:

Drinking water seems less appealing in winter, but your skin needs hydration from within. Warm herbal teas, soups, and seasonal fruits like oranges can also really help.

Healthy skin starts from within. Incorporate foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins, and antioxidants to keep your skin nourished. Adjust your lifestyle to the weather and skin needs, so take your supplements, and avoid excessive caffeine or sugar, which can further dehydrate your skin.

Dry indoor heating can be a hidden culprit behind winter skin woes. A humidifier adds moisture back to the air, keeping your skin plump.

Your lips are the first to show signs of winter dryness. Use a hydrating lip balm with ingredients like shea butter, coconut oil, or beeswax to prevent chapped lips.

If your skin becomes excessively dry, irritated, or flaky, it’s best to consult a professional. They can recommend tailored treatments and products to protect and restore your skin barrier.

Embrace Your Glow this Winter

By following this simple yet effective 5-step skin care routine, you can bid farewell to winter dryness and welcome hydrated, glowing skin. Where you live, these steps should be your holy grail to ensure your skin stays at its healthiest and happiest.

So grab your hydrating cleanser, stock up on all your products from Rederm Aesthetics, and let’s make this winter all about glowing, hydrated skin!