Winter is coming!

Dr Jamuna Pai, Cosmetic Physician, Author and Founder, SkinLab

Due to the low levels of humidity during the cooler months, the topmost layer of our skin gets stripped off, causing dryness, often itching and discomfort. You need to use creams that contain ingredients such as almond oil cocoa and shea butter. 

• While selecting your moisturiser, check the labels for key ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, niacinamide and dimethicone, besides urea and glycerine. These act like humectants and will replenish the moisture that the cold weather takes out from your skin. 
   
• Longer baths or showers, especially in hot water, can be relaxing, but they increase the loss of natural oils from the skin and worsen dryness. Bathe in warm water instead. 
   
• Post showering, gently pat the skin partially dry with a towel. Within minutes, apply a moisturiser to seal the water in the skin before it can evaporate. These should be reapplied liberally during the day, especially on those areas prone to dryness (such as hands, arms, legs). 
   
• For intense relief, moisturise hands and feet at night, and then slip on some gloves or socks. 

Dr Shuba Dharmana, Dermatologist, Lejeune Medspa

Winter can be drying for the nails as well as the skin around it, leading to peeling and splitting. To combat this, one should apply a cuticle oil before retiring for bed. Rub it into the base of the nail, this will help seal in the moisture. 

• You can also apply a clear nail varnish, which helps to protect the nail plate. 
   
• Avoid acrylic nails as much as possible as they will make the nails fragile. 
   
• Keep nails and cuticles trimmed regularly to avoid snags. 
   
• Eat a diet rich in iron with green leafy vegetables and meat. Supplementation with iron and biotin may be recommended too if the diet is not adequate.
   
• Avoid frequent hand washing as this can further dry the nails. Moisturise your hands immediately after washing. 
   
• If needed, use gloves while washing your dishes.

Dr Batul Patel, medical director and Dermatologist, The Bombay Skin Clinic

The skin on the lips is very soft and delicate. As a result, it can get easily cracked. Chapped lips occur due to inflammation in lips triggered by some environmental irritant like cold weather, dry air, and wind exposure. Dehydration and nutritional deficiencies like vitamin B, niacin, biotin, iron etc can also cause splitting of lips. It can also be due to an allergy to lipstick, toothpaste or moisturiser. 

• Always use a lip balm before going out. 
   
• Avoid licking your lips often. 
   
• You can use various home remedies too. Like a sugar and honey scrub or coconut or almond oil, etc. 
   
• Scrubs help combat chapping, but they should not be used more than once a week. You can also use a soft toothbrush to buff the dry skin.

Anisha Fernandes Tavares, Senior stylist and make-up artist from Nalini of Nalini & Yasmin Salon

Frizzy hair tends to lack hydration or moisture and in this weather, due to the humidity, it could be aggravated more. Changing your hair routine will definitely help. 

• Most people suffer from dry scalp in this weather. One can opt for a good sulfate-free shampoo in such a case. 
   
• Condition the hair in between washes. Most importantly use a leave-in conditioner as its effect will remain in the hair till the next wash. Apply some product on damp hair starting from the lengths to the roots and spreading it evenly on the entire hair. 
   
• The use of oils such as virgin coconut oil is also recommended for the scalp. Don’t forget to use an argan oil serum post each wash.