With winter settling over city, more residents are experiencing dry, itchy and irritated skin - problems that return every year as soon as the temperature drops. Many families say the most dependable solutions still come from traditional Indian remedies they have grown up with. Homemaker Anamika Shrivastava from Khamla said eczema flare-ups become common in her neighbourhood during this season. Coconut oil warmed slightly and applied after a bath is used to seal moisture, while sesame oil helps with dryness. A pinch of turmeric added to aloe vera gel is used to calm itching, and the combination of glycerin and rose water remains a quick, effective hydrator for tight winter skin.

 

People dealing with psoriasis use these remedies alongside medical care. Homemaker Shilpa Sinha said a mix of coconut and neem oil is applied to reduce scaling, while aloe vera provides a cooling layer. Turmeric milk is consumed to help ease internal inflammation. During winter, many avoid harsh soaps and instead cleanse their skin with curd and besan. Lukewarm baths with a few drops of mustard oil are also a common practice.

 

Ghee for chapped lips Chapped lips are another widespread issue. Pure ghee is applied at night, and coconut oil is used during the day to prevent cracking. The familiar glycerin-rose water mix works as a gentle moisturiser. Residents also report a rise in perniosis, or chilblains, which cause painful reddish or purplish patches on toes and fingers. Warm mustard oil massages, camphor oil blends and warm rock-salt foot soaks are used to improve circulation. When the skin becomes inflamed, a paste of aloe vera and turmeric is applied, Shilpa said.

 

Almond oil for windburn People working outdoors often suffer from windburn, which creates a dry, burning sensation on the face. Coconut or almond oil is used at night for repair, and many lightly apply milk cream to restore moisture. Cucumber juice provides relief when the skin feels hot or irritated. Urticaria, which causes red, itchy welts, is also common. Anamika said, people drink tulsi ginger kadha and turmeric water and apply warm mustard-oil rubs before bathing to ease discomfort. In many homes, winter care continues with borolin, paraffin-based creams, aloe vera gel after bath, besan-milk cleansers and oatmeal-milk pastes for exfoliation. Seasonal favourites such as ghee, til ladoos, bajra roti, root vegetables, chickpeas, triphala and guduchi remain part of daily meals as a preventive measure to the diseases.