External factors are the most common underlying cause and the easiest to tackle when it comes to addressing conditions like dry skin. But not just season change even internal factors too play a vital role in maintaining the skin. Domestic factors like overall health, age, genetics, family history and external factors like cold temperature, low humidity affect the texture of the skin.

Winter season can be brutal on your skin, since cold temperatures often mean low humidity, which dries out the skin. The mainstay of winters is to hydrate the skin and replenish the lost moisture.  Hydration of the body is very important as it makes for a healthy functioning of the system and youthful looking skin.

Skin can be hydrated in two ways; internally by drinking an adequate amount of water, taking oil supplements and externally by using products that hydrate and moisturize.

The skin type differs for every individual. It makes good sense to have a customized regime to achieve a healthy skin. The basic rules remain the same, albeit the products can be altered as per the skin type.

• The first step involves washing your face with a gentle water soluble cleanser. It should not have any agents like alcohol witch hazel or even salicylic acid. The cleansing should ideally be done twice daily.
• Exfoliation is a process to slough off the dead skin cells and helps reveal fresh and healthy skin. It can be done using mild granular scrubs. This is best done once a week.
• Moisturizing is a vital step in skin care regime. It is a misconception that oily skin does not need moisturisers. Oily skin also needs hydration, but yes considering the fact that an oily skin is prone to comedones and acne, a little attention should be paid whilst selecting the moisturiser. It should be non-comedogenic and oil-free.  
• Use sunscreen each day to protect your skin. No matter what type of skin you have, an oil-free sunscreen used each morning before you go outside can help your skin stay looking young, fresh and keep it healthy.
• Dry skin/ Normal skin: Mix 1 tsp of malai and a pinch of turmeric and 4-5 drops of olive oil. Apply it and leave it to dry, wash and pat dry.
• Oily skin: Mix 2 tsp of raw milk or milk powder, add 2 tsp of cucumber juice and few drops of lemon. Apply this on your face with a cotton ball. Allow it dry. Wash with cold water and pat dry.
• Combination skin: For the T-zone area on your face, you can apply a mud-pack once in a week to keep the sebum production under control and to hydrate the rest of the face, use a fruit based pack. Rub ice on the T-zone to help tighten the pores.
• Drinking water helps in flushing toxins out of your body and eliminates the pollutants that are present in the bloodstream.
• Complement this with creams that are rich in nourishing elements such as almond oil, cocoa and shea butter amongst others.  
• Alternatively one can also massage almond oil or olive oil on the skin(can be used on face as well in case of acne-free skin). 

*Inputs: Dr Vandana Chatrath, Dermatologist, Kubba Clinic, New Delhi


*Image Courtesy: Thinstock/ Getty Images