Skincare experts share tips on preventing dryness amid pollution and humidity

Winter is coming But your hair and skin will tell you that the Mumbai prewinter season is already here If you have noticed your skin feeling extradry or your hair looking dull blame the low humidity That along with increased dust and postfestival pollution can further dehydrate your skin and scalp cautions Dr Rinky Kapoor consultant dermatologist cosmetic dermatologist and dermatosurgeon The Esthetic Clinics ldquoDry weather leads to the loss of moisture in your skin causing dry and flaky skin Dryness also leads to the absorption of moisture from the scalp and hair follicles which leaves us with brittle and weak hair This causes hairfallrdquo elaborates Dr Shareefa Chause dermatologist Apollo Spectra MumbaiOil your hair twice or thrice a week use a leavein serum to keep sun damage and pollution awayWatch the signsApart from dry hair and scalp Dr Kapoor shares that some of the common dermatological concerns during this period include an increase in eczema psoriasis atopic eczema in kids and flareups of skin or contact allergies ldquoWith people working out of AC offices and not drinking enough water the hydration level dips furtherrdquo she addsDr Chause notes that dry scaly skin also means more dandruff accumulation which can cause forehead and truncal acne ldquoIf dryness is ignored for long it can lead to rashes or inflamed skin apart from scarring and secondary infectionsrdquo she tells usCare for your skinThe duo suggests handy pointers to keep in mindgtgt Strictly maintain your hydration levelsCover your hair while stepping outgtgt Tweak your skincare regimen for the season Those who have dry skin or are prone to dryness use the right kind of cleansing toning moisturising and sunscreen CTMS routine In this weather use cleansers that are not too foaming or lathering but are hydrating such as soapfree cleansers Foaming takes away moisture from the skingtgt Soak oats in water and use the water to grind them Use it as a cleanser Itrsquos great for skin hydration and recommended for people with skin problems like dryness or allergies You can add some honey to this Body washes and soaps made with natural oat extracts also work wellgtgt Donrsquot wash your face too often as it dries out the skin Limit it to twice a daygtgt Use a heavyduty moisturiser if you have extremely dry skin if not use a light moisturiser Winter moisturisers should have ceramides squalane hyaluronic acid in addition to Vitamin E It helps to strengthen the barrier of the skin against damagegtgt A sunscreen of at least SPF 30 is mandatory Check if the sunscreen blocks all UV rays UVA UVB infrared rays and blue light in addition to being antipollution The antipollution ones are beneficial for people who spend more time outdoors Sunscreens with a blue light filter are recommended for people who spend a lot of time in AC roomsSoaked oatmeal with honey makes for a gentle cleansergtgt Apply aloe vera on the skin to soothe it or mix it with glycerin before your bath Follow up with moisturiser Or use glycerin for 10 to 15 minutes before you bathe Follow up with coconut oil after taking a bathgtgt Include food rich in antioxidants like green vegetables berries and fruits in your diet to reduce oxidative stressgtgt Donrsquot use water thatrsquos too hot or cold while bathing keep it lukewarmgtgt To tackle cracked feet exfoliate the skin twice or thrice a week to remove dead skin Apply petroleum jelly and wear socks to lock in the moistureFrom left Dr Shareefa Chause and Dr Rinky KapoorFor healthy hairDr Chause and Dr Kapoor share tips and tricks to tackle dry frizzy hairgtgt In the outdoors cover the head with a scarf or hat to maintain moisture levels and keep the dust particles awaygtgt Reduce chemical treatments during this season avoid using excessive heat on the hair for styling or dryinggtgt Oil your hair twice or thrice a weekgtgt If your hair feels too dry precondition it with coconut oil or preconditioners for 15 to 20 minutes before you wash it off Use hydrating shampoos Follow up with a postwash conditioner You can apply leavein serums to keep sun damage pollution and dryness at baygtgt Use a moisturising hair mask You can also mix drops of lemon in curd and apply the hair mask twice a week before washing your hair Lemon reduces scaling and curd is moisturising so the mask helps to combat dandruff and dryness A curd mask will also add shine to your tresses