The winter season is about to begin in India. It is better to start taking care of your skin and follow a skincare routine now to protect it from harmful pollutants. Build a protective layer on your skin and keep it smooth and soft during the rough weather conditions of Delhi NCR.

The air quality index of the capital surges to a level that makes it a gas chamber full of harmful pollutants that damage your health and make your skin patchy. Here are 5 effective ways that you need to follow to build a strong skin barrier and avoid dryness and signs of breakouts on your face.

How Delhi’s AQI Affects Your Skin?

If you live in Delhi, you know multiple activities contribute to increasing the city’s AQI levels. It majorly affects your health and skin. The harmful pollutants, toxins, and dust particles stick to the outer layer of the skin that gradually causes acne marks, irritation and makes your lips chapped and dehydrated.

Hence, you need to prep your skin well during winter to achieve glowing skin whenever you move out with your friends and family for dinners.

5 Ways To Protect Your Skin From Harsh Delhi Air Pollution

Here are 5 simple ways to avoid dry, flaky and patchy skin in the dry winter season in Delhi.

Double Cleanse Your Face

During the peak winter season in Delhi NCR, the air you breathe is dry that makes your skin rough and patchy, making it essential to double cleanse your face multiple times throughout the day. This helps remove the dust particles that form a top layer on your skin.

How will it help: Cleansing your face using a gentle cleanser according to your skin type more than once a day will help avoid dryness and patchiness without following a complicated skincare routine. 

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Wash Your Face Before Using A Toner

If you want to protect your skin from pigmentation and unwanted marks, you need to understand the importance of washing your face with a face wash before using a toner.

Which toner works best: The toner infused with green tea works well on both oily and combination skin and helps avoid irritation, redness, and inflammation. Anyone can use it if the toner is both fragrance-free and alcohol free.

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Reapply Moisturiser And Sunscreen

During winter, the water intake levels automatically go down. A good hydrating moisturiser will help you keep your skin hydrated and glowing. But applying the moisturiser and sunscreen once during your AM routine is not enough.

What To Do: The formula of applying the moisturiser on damp skin works best, as it locks in the moisture and keeps it soft and smooth. The presence of ceramides in the moisturiser helps develop a protective skin barrier that helps fight the pollutants in the air.

Why you need SPF protection: The harmful UV rays can also affect the skin texture in winters, as they do in summers, and you can burn your skin and develop dark spots and pigmentation on your face.

ALSO READ: Face Scrub vs Face Wash: Which Is Better For Oily Skin During The Monsoon?

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Vitamin C Serum And Other Antioxidants:

The skincare routine does not need to be expensive, but you need to try and test serums that are infused with Vitamin C or other antioxidants that will help maintain glowing skin and avoid uneven skin tone.

What to Avoid: Usually, it is observed that people use multiple skincare products all at once that can irritate the skin. To avoid such circumstances, you need to do a patch test before adding any actives to your skincare routine.

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Avoid Over-Scrubbing:

Whenever your skin shows signs of breakouts, you tend to scrub your pores, thinking it will give you clearer skin and help you remove the marks. However, overscrubbing your skin can make it dry and flaky and can further make it dry.

What you can do: It is better to scrub and exfoliate your face once a week and follow it with a gentle moisturiser to improve your skin texture and avoid acne marks

ALSO READ: Skin Care Mistakes: 9 Everyday Habits That Could Be Secretly Damaging Your Skin

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Quick Note: Essential Skincare Steps For Delhi Winters

Here is an easy step-by-step guide that will help you follow the skincare routine in the winters to build a skin barrier that protects it from harmful pollutants if you are living in Delhi NCR and witness the worst winters every year.

  • Wash your face with a gentle face wash that suits your skin.
  • Cleanse the skin with a toner or a hydrating cleanser before using the moisturiser
  • After cleaning your face, you need to moisturise your skin when it is slightly damp so that it becomes easier to lock in the moisturiser.
  • Avoid missing your SPF tinted moisturiser or sunscreen because even during winter, the harmful rays of the sun can affect your skin.
  • Lastly, reapplication of the moisturiser and the sunscreen can prove to be a real game changer.

FAQs

Can air purifiers help my skin during Delhi winters?
Indoor air purifiers and humidifiers can definitely help you maintain a healthy skin texture even during winters in Delhi. When you stay indoors, these appliances can provide you with clean air that is free from pollutants.

What are the common skin issues caused by Delhi air pollution?

The harmful effects of pollution can irritate your skin and you may develop rough patches on the cheeks that can later become areas prone to pigmentation and dark spots if you miss following a skincare routine to protect your skin.

How often should I cleanse my face when pollution levels are high?

The frequency of washing your face entirely depends on personal choice and the time you have between your busy schedules. So you need to follow a personalised skincare routine during winter and understand what is working for you so that you can follow a skincare routine daily.