What is sensitive skin?
Sensitive skin is skin that is prone to redness and irritation. Sensitive skin reacts quickly to skin care products and environmental factors. This condition is often caused by a damaged skin barrier, making the skin more susceptible to irritation.
Sensitive skin can be affected by changes in weather, pollution or unsuitable skin care products, says Dr Shweta Mishra, cosmetic surgeon at Sharva Clinic (India).
Sensitive skin can be made worse in the winter by cold, dry air and indoor heating, which strip moisture from the skin. The lack of humidity in cold weather can make sensitive skin more vulnerable, leading to dryness, flaking, and redness. This increased dryness can lead to cracking and a weakened skin barrier, making the skin more prone to irritation and even breakouts. Cold air constricts blood vessels, reducing the skin’s ability to retain moisture and increasing redness.
Good habits for sensitive skin in winter
Start your day by washing your face with a gentle, sulfate-free cleanser to remove overnight oil and impurities without drying out your skin.
Next, use a toner with soothing ingredients like rose water, aloe vera, or glycerin, which adds a layer of moisture without irritating the skin.
Apply a hydrating serum rich in hyaluronic acid or glycerin to lock in moisture. Hydrating serums are essential in the winter to help sensitive skin retain moisture.
Choose a rich, unscented moisturizer that contains ceramides, peptides, or colloidal oatmeal to strengthen the skin barrier and prevent moisture loss.
To protect your skin from the sun's rays, apply a mineral sunscreen (zinc oxide or titanium dioxide) with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 30.
