Winter’s crisp, cool air may feel refreshing and even might be your favourite (they are mine), but for your skin, it’s a season of struggle. If you’ve noticed your skin becoming drier, flakier, and rougher in the colder months, you’re not alone. The drop in temperature, coupled with indoor heating and low humidity, saps moisture from the skin, leading to common issues such as cracked heels, chapped lips, and irritated skin. While body lotions are a staple in winter skincare, not all formulations provide the deep hydration and protection your skin needs.

So, how do you ensure your body lotion is truly winter-ready? According to cosmetologist Kiran Bhatt, the right ingredients make all the difference. Winter skincare isn’t just about slathering on any body lotion—it’s about using the right ingredients to nourish, protect, and repair your skin.

As Kiran Bhatt adds, "The key to winter skincare is consistency. A well-chosen body lotion, combined with healthy skincare habits, can make all the difference in preventing dry, irritated skin." Here’s what your body lotion should (and shouldn’t) contain to keep your skin soft, nourished, and resilient all season long.

Why Does Your Skin Need Extra Care in Winter?

Winter weather brings a host of skin challenges. The combination of cold winds, low humidity, and indoor heating strips away the skin’s natural oils, leaving it vulnerable to irritation and dehydration. Common signs of winter skin damage include:

• Flakiness and rough texture – A result of moisture loss, making the skin appear dull and lifeless.
• Redness and irritation – The skin’s protective barrier weakens, leading to sensitivity and discomfort.
• Cracks and tightness – Lack of hydration can cause small cracks, especially on hands and feet, making them prone to bleeding and infection.
• Itchiness and stinging – Dry skin often feels tight and itchy, sometimes leading to painful rashes.

To combat these effects, choosing a well-formulated body lotion is crucial—one that not only hydrates but also repairs and strengthens the skin’s barrier.

Ingredients Your Winter Body Lotion Must Have

The right combination of ingredients can make or break your winter skincare routine. Here are five powerhouse ingredients that should be in your body lotion for optimal hydration and protection:

1. Ceramides

Ceramides are essential lipids that help restore the skin’s protective barrier, preventing moisture loss. Cosmetologist Kiran Bhatt emphasizes their importance, stating, "Ceramides act like glue holding skin cells together, ensuring hydration stays locked in. A lotion with ceramides can significantly improve skin resilience in winter."

2. Hyaluronic Acid

This moisture-binding ingredient attracts water into the skin, keeping it plump and supple. Hyaluronic acid is particularly effective in winter, as it prevents the skin from feeling tight and dry, even in harsh conditions.

3. Shea Butter

Rich in essential fatty acids and vitamins, shea butter provides deep moisturization. It’s known for its ability to soothe irritation, making it ideal for sensitive and extra-dry skin during colder months.

4. Glycerin

Glycerin is a humectant that draws moisture from the air into the skin, preventing dryness. Bhatt explains, "Glycerin ensures continuous hydration, making it an excellent ingredient for long-lasting skin softness in winter."

5. Niacinamide

Niacinamide (Vitamin B3) helps improve skin texture, reduces inflammation, and combats redness. It also strengthens the skin barrier, making it a must-have in winter body lotions for those prone to irritation.

Ingredients to Avoid in Winter Body Lotions

While certain ingredients are essential for hydration, others can exacerbate dryness and irritation. Expert warns against using lotions containing:

• Alcohol – It strips the skin of its natural oils, leading to increased dryness.
• Artificial Fragrances – These can trigger allergies and irritation, especially on sensitive skin.
• Sulfates – Harsh cleansing agents that can weaken the skin’s defense barrier.
• Parabens – Synthetic preservatives linked to skin irritation and potential long-term health concerns.
• Excessive Exfoliants – Ingredients like glycolic acid and retinol, while beneficial in moderation, can make winter skin more sensitive and prone to peeling.

Why It Is Important To Know What Label Ingredient Are?

With so many skincare products on the market, understanding what’s inside your body lotion is crucial. Bhatt stresses the importance of reading labels, noting, "Transparency in ingredients allows you to avoid allergens and select products best suited for your skin type." Many lotions disguise harmful ingredients under complex chemical names, making it essential to research before purchasing.

Opting for brands that prioritize clean, skin-friendly formulations ensures both efficacy and safety, building long-term trust in your skincare routine.

How to Prevent Dry Skin Beyond Just Lotion

While choosing the right body lotion is key, maintaining hydrated skin requires a holistic approach. Here’s how to keep your skin healthy throughout winter:

Apply Moisturizer Right After Washing

The best time to apply lotion is immediately after showering or washing your hands. Damp skin absorbs moisture more effectively, sealing hydration in.

Use Sunscreen Daily

Even in winter, UV rays can damage the skin’s barrier, leading to dehydration and premature aging. Opt for a broad-spectrum SPF moisturizer.

Use Overnight Treatments

Nighttime is the best time for intense hydration. Use thick, nourishing creams or body butters before bed for deep skin repair.

Adjust Your Skincare Routine

Switch to gentler cleansers and hydrating serums. Avoid excessive exfoliation and alcohol-based toners, which can strip the skin.

Use a Humidifier

Indoor heating dries out the air, pulling moisture from your skin. Running a humidifier can help maintain proper hydration levels.

Lower Shower Temperature

Hot water may feel comforting in winter but can strip the skin of natural oils. Stick to lukewarm showers and use mild, hydrating body washes.

Stay Hydrated and Eat Water-Rich Foods

Drinking plenty of water and consuming hydrating foods (like cucumbers, oranges, and avocados) helps maintain moisture from the inside out.

Choose Soft, Non-Irritating Fabrics

Wool and synthetic fabrics can irritate dry skin. Opt for soft, breathable cotton and layer appropriately to protect against the cold.

Ms Kiran Bhatt is a nutritionist, cosmetologist, and the vice president of Junoesque Clinique in India

Water, hydration, and health. NIH. 2010

Moisturizers: The slippery road. NIH. 2016

What to do about dry skin in winter. Harvard health. 2011

In a shocking incident, a woman contracted the herpes virus after using shared lipstick samples at a cosmetic store, raising concerns about makeup hygiene.

The incident highlights the risks involved in trying products that come into direct contact with the skin and are shared with a lot of people.

Also Read: World Autism Awareness Day 2026: Can Cell Therapy Be The Future Of Autism Treatment?

What Is Herpes?

The herpes simplex virus (HSV) is very common, and the infection is lifelong. But the symptoms can come and go over different periods of life. Many people never get any symptoms linked to their infection.

The common virus, carried by up to 50 to 80 percent of adults, can cause painful blisters or ulcers. It primarily spreads by skin-to-skin contact. It is treatable but not curable.

There are two types of herpes simplex virus: HSV-1 and HSV-2.

HSV- 1 is the most common and usually spreads by oral contact. It causes infections in or around the mouth (such as oral herpes or cold sores), as well as genital herpes.

Common oral herpes symptoms include

• blisters (cold sores)
• open sores (ulcers) in or around the mouth or lips.

HSV-2 generally spreads by sexual contact and causes genital herpes.

Its symptoms include painful

• bumps,
• blisters,
• open sores (ulcers) around the genitals or anus.

How Makeup Testers Can Spread Infection

Experts warned that makeup testers can become a breeding ground for germs. The repeated use of the open samples can spur their growth and can then spread by “double-dipping” — reusing an applicator after touching the skin. This can transfer viruses and bacteria between users.

“You can absolutely get a herpes infection from a makeup tester," Dr. Whitney Bowe, a dermatologist in New York City, told TODAY. "The more ‘double dipping’ that occurs, the higher the chance of spreading viruses or bacteria at a makeup counter.”

A 2010 study by researchers from Rowan University in New Jersey found that cosmetic samples harbored strep, E.coli, and staph.

For two years, the team examined makeup testers at makeup counters, specialty stores, and drug stores. They found that Saturday is the busiest day of the week, and 100 percent of the samples carried some sort of germ.

How To Stay Safe?

To reduce the risk of infection, experts recommend:

• Much like the toothbrush, personal cosmetics and cosmetic brushes must not be shared.
• Wash and dry your brushes regularly to avoid bacterial growth.
• Avoid applying testers directly to your lips or skin
• Use disposable applicators
• Test products on your hand rather than your face
• Avoid using testers if you have cuts, chapped lips, or active infections.

April 2 is celebrated worldwide as “Autism Awareness Day” and April as Autism month to create awareness and promote inclusivity and acceptance in society for individuals with autism.

So what exactly is Autism, and why do we need to create a culture of awareness and acceptance?

As per DSM V (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders) criteria, in simple terms, there is poor eye contact, impaired social communication skills, repetitive patterns (certain movements or fixation on certain toys, objects), difficulties with sensory processing - extreme sensitivity to sensory inputs (dislike loud noises, sensitive to touch), etc.

As a child, these individuals may not respond to name-calling, have poor eye contact/lack gestures like pointing, etc., lack imagination in play, and may not be able to relate and respond to the emotions of others. They have set routines and dislike changes to their routines. All this can cause significant disruption to their day-to-day functioning.

This year’s theme of -Autism and Humanity- Every Life has Value” reiterates the need for inclusion of autism, ensuring equitable representation of these individuals. Ensuring that society not only recognizes them but also treats them with equal respect and dignity.

Educational Support and Inclusive Workplace

Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) was one of the Government's flagship programs, along with Action for Autism, to disseminate information in schools regarding inclusive education for autism. Education is a key foundation to ensure children with autism get suitable opportunities as adults. Special educators, with additional support in schools, can go a long way in ensuring their potential is maximized.

Many IT giants like Microsoft, Google, and SAP encourage tapping the potential of individuals with autism and their exceptional skills. In our country, organizations and NGOs, including Action for Autism, offer training for future employment opportunities.

There is a spectrum of Autistic Spectrum Disorders (ASD) known as Asperger’s syndrome, and these individuals have normal to above average intelligence and can have some exceptional skills, and the world includes some living examples of these with a higher IQ, some of whom are the most successful and famous personalities. Even on the other end of the spectrum, autistic individuals have exceptional skills, some of which include great attention to detail, creativity, problem-solving, and lateral out-of-the-box thinking.

Options for flexible working hours (part-time), understanding their need for routines, and explaining them beforehand regarding important changes to schedules can help them adapt better to an otherwise challenging workplace.

The Need For Sensitization

Understanding individuals with autism may need little extra support, being a little flexible with time deadlines, giving simple instructions, especially written/visual ones, and allowing them time to overcome their communication barriers can go a long way in ensuring they feel heard and valued like anyone else in the workplace.

Sensitization of all major organization employees to foster a culture of acceptance and awareness, and an accessible work environment, is the need of the hour. Autistic individuals do well in a variety of job profiles, including IT, technology, finance, art and creativity, and administration.

Environmental modifications like background noise cancellation with headphones help those with sensory processing issues. At the end of the day, none of us is perfect, it's recognizing our special skills and strengthening them.

Possibilities are endless if we wish to encourage and make these individuals heard. So, let’s carry the Autism Awareness Day beyond a mere day of awareness and light it up blue. Let’s value and acknowledge them being different, but also empower them to act on their special skills to earn them a dignified place in society and the workplace.

World Autism Awareness Day is observed every year on April 2. The day is important to raise awareness about autism — a neurodevelopmental condition affecting communication, social interaction, and behavior — affecting millions of people globally.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), one in 127 people worldwide is diagnosed with the lifelong brain health condition. It is also among the top 10 conditions contributing to health loss globally.

Also Read: Leptospirosis: US health officials flag outbreak risk after floods in Hawaii

The first child diagnosed with autistic symptoms was Donald Grey Triplett. Labelled as Case 1, he went on to become an American banker, demonstrating that, if provided with the right and inclusive support and opportunities individuals with autism be as productive as others.

“Like anyone else, autistic people should be able to shape their own lives — and help to shape our shared future,” said

António Guterres, UN Secretary-General.

World Autism Awareness Day: Date and History

April 2 was designated as World Autism Awareness Day (WAAD) by the United Nations General Assembly in 2007.

The 2007 General Assembly resolution highlighted the need to raise public awareness of autism.

It stated that "children with disabilities should enjoy a full and decent life, in conditions which ensure dignity, promote self-reliance and facilitate the child’s active participation in the community, as well as the full enjoyment of all human rights and fundamental freedoms on an equal basis with other children".

World Autism Awareness Day: Theme

This year, World Autism Awareness Day is held under the theme "Autism and Humanity - Every Life Has Value".

The 2026 theme highlights and affirms the dignity and worth of all autistic people. While there are international human rights conventions safeguarding the rights of people with autism, they continue to face stigma, discrimination, and barriers to participation.

“Access to timely, quality health care and support services remains limited, driving inequalities across the life course," the WHO said. The global health body urged "sustained action and greater investment" to address these challenges. It also called for developing inclusive policies and services that uphold the rights of autistic people.

This year's theme, thus, is a call to action to recognize the inherent dignity and equal rights of all people with autism.

Guterres highlighted the need for "equal education, fair employment, and accessible health systems" for all persons with autism and to provide inclusive opportunities to participate and thrive, along with others.

Also read: Expert Reveals Why Childhood Autism Is Going Undetected In India

What is Autism?

The National Health Service (NHS) UK defines autism as not an illness or a medical condition with treatments or a "cure", but a developmental condition that affects how people communicate, learn, behave, and interact with others.

It is a spectrum, which means "everybody with autism is different".

People with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) may have difficulty with social interaction, exhibit atypical behavior and activities, or find it hard to communicate.

Early Signs Of Autism

Studies show that symptoms of autism are usually diagnosed within the first 3 years of birth. These include:

• Limited to zero eye contact
• Delayed responses
• Repeating words or actions such as hand-flapping
• Being strong-headed about following the same routine
• Easily annoyed, throws tantrums
• Difficulty understanding and expressing emotions
• Sensitive to certain sounds, textures, lights, or smells.