Winning The Skincare Cold War

Combat dry and flaky skin with this ultimate guide to winter skincare

- Radhika Agrawal

From dewy mornings, oversized jumpers, to a cup of hot cocoa, there's much to love about the snuggle season. But the drop in temperatures isn't quite as pleasant for our skin. Winter's bite can do a number on even the best-groomed men. The skin's barrier becomes weaker with lower moisture levels in the air, which often leads to dry and irritated skin, flaky patches, rashes, cracks, and chapped lips.

"The lubricant level between the skin cells decreases in the winters. As the bonds between the skin cells or keratinocytes weaken, they are shed quicker," explains Dr. Manjot Marwah, celebrity dermatologist, hair transplant surgeon, consultant & director at Dr. Manjot's Clinic. The shedding of cells can cause your skin to feel itchy, and the more you scratch that itch, the flakier your skin becomes. Talk about a lose-lose.

That's not to say that your skin is doomed for the entirety of the season. A well-rounded winter skincare routine can not only prevent but also reverse damage. All it needs is a little more time, attention, a few easy hacks, and some extra TLC from expert-approved products.