How to Use Kumkumadi Oil on Face in Winter: A Simple Day & Night Routine
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To use kumkumadi oil in winter, apply 3–4 drops on clean, slightly damp skin every night as the last step of your routine, massage for 2–3 minutes and leave it on overnight. On very dry days, you can also mix 1 drop into your morning moisturiser before sunscreen. If your skin is oily or breaks out easily, stick to 2–3 drops, a few nights a week.
Winter is the season when kumkumadi oil really earns its place on your shelf. Cold air, hot showers, room heaters and the November smog all pull moisture out of your skin. By December, many of us are dealing with a tight, flaky nose, rough cheeks and a face that looks grey no matter how much we sleep.
A good face oil fixes a lot of that. But winter also tempts people to overdo it, and that's when the breakouts start. So here's how to use kumkumadi oil on face in winter the right way.
Why Kumkumadi Oil Works So Well in Winter
Kumkumadi oil (also called kumkumadi tailam) is a saffron-based Ayurvedic face oil made by slowly cooking herbs into sesame oil. That base is the first reason it suits winter so well.
- Sesame oil is warming and deeply nourishing. In Ayurveda, winter is linked with dry, rough Vata qualities, and sesame oil is the classic remedy for them.
- Oil seals in moisture. Your moisturiser adds water to the skin; a face oil on top helps stop it from escaping into dry winter air.
- Saffron and licorice keep working on dullness and spots. Winter skin often looks patchy and tired. The core kumkumadi oil for face, like a brighter look and lighter-looking dark spots, are exactly what winter skin needs.
- The massage boosts circulation. Two minutes of upward strokes on a cold night brings colour back to a dull face.
Your Winter Kumkumadi Oil Routine
Night routine (the main one)
- Cleanse gently with a mild face wash and lukewarm water, not hot.
- Leave your skin slightly damp, or spritz a little rose water. Oil spreads better and locks in more moisture on damp skin.
- Apply a light moisturiser if your skin is very dry. Skip it if your skin is normal.
- Warm 3–4 drops of kumkumadi oil between your fingertips.
- Press and massage upwards for 2–3 minutes: cheeks, forehead, around the nose, chin, then the neck.
- Leave it on overnight and wash off with a mild face wash in the morning.
Morning routine (only on very dry days)
- Wash your face with lukewarm water.
- Mix 1 drop of kumkumadi oil into your usual moisturiser and apply.
- Always finish with sunscreen. Winter sun still causes tan and dark spots, especially on long afternoons outdoors.
Once a week: a winter glow pack
Add 2 drops of kumkumadi oil to a gentle face pack like ubtan face pack for growing mixed with milk or curd instead of water. It cleans without leaving your skin stripped and tight, which plain clay packs often do in winter.
How Many Drops in Winter? It Depends on Your Skin
| Skin type | Night | Morning |
|---|---|---|
| Dry | 3–4 drops every night, over a moisturiser | 1 drop mixed into moisturiser |
| Normal / combination | 3 drops every night | Only on dry patches, if needed |
| Oily / acne-prone | 2–3 drops, 3–4 nights a week; skip active pimples | Skip |
| Sensitive | Patch test first; start with 2 drops, 2–3 nights a week | Skip |
Yes, oily skin can get dry in winter too. It just usually needs less oil than it thinks. If you wake up with a greasy face or new bumps, cut back a drop.
Other Winter Kumkumadi Oil Uses
Winter is when people find the most extra kumkumadi oil uses:
- Flaky nose and chin: press one extra drop onto those spots at night.
- Chapped, dark lips: a drop before bed, then lip balm on top.
- Dry under-eyes: pat a tiny drop around (not in) the eyes.
- Rough elbows, knuckles and knees: massage in whatever's left on your fingers.
- Before a winter wedding or function: 1 drop mixed into moisturiser gives a dewy base under makeup.
6 Winter Mistakes That Cause Breakouts or Dryness
- Using more oil because your skin feels dry. Dry skin needs water first, then oil. Too much oil just sits on top and clogs pores. Damp skin plus 3–4 drops beats 8 drops on dry skin.
- Washing your face with hot water. It feels lovely in December, but it strips your skin's own oils. Use lukewarm water.
- Applying on unwashed skin. Winter pollution is heavy. Oil on top of a day's smog traps it all in. Always cleanse first.
- Scrubbing flaky skin hard. Rough scrubs make winter skin more irritated. Use a gentle pack once a week instead.
- Layering strong actives on the same night. Skip retinol or exfoliating acids on your kumkumadi oil nights. Winter skin is more sensitive than usual.
- Skipping sunscreen because it's cold. UV doesn't take winters off. Fading spots at night only works if you protect them during the day.
Choosing the Best Kumkumadi Oil for Winter
The best kumkumadi oil for face in winter is one with a nourishing natural base. Check the label for:
- Saffron clearly listed in the kumkumadi oil ingredients
- Sesame oil as the base, not mineral oil or liquid paraffin
- No strong added fragrance, which can sting dry, cracked winter skin
- A dark bottle, batch number and expiry date
Not sure if a bottle is genuine? Our guide on real vs fake kumkumadi oil walks you through 5 quick checks.
Our kumkumadi oil is made with saffron, manjistha, turmeric, lodhra, licorice and lotus in pure sesame oil. It's AYUSH and GMP certified, and one 30 ml bottle lasts about 2–3 months at 3–4 drops a night, which covers most of the winter.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use kumkumadi oil every day in winter?
Yes. Dry and normal skin can use 3–4 drops every night in winter. Oily or acne-prone skin should use 2–3 drops, 3–4 nights a week.
Can I use kumkumadi oil in the morning in winter?
Yes, on very dry days. Mix 1 drop into your moisturiser and always apply sunscreen on top. Night is still the main time to use it.
Should I apply kumkumadi oil on dry or damp skin?
Slightly damp skin is best in winter. The oil spreads more easily and helps lock moisture into the skin.
Do I use kumkumadi oil before or after moisturiser?
After. Apply moisturiser first, then kumkumadi oil as the last step of your night routine to seal everything in.
Can kumkumadi oil cause pimples in winter?
It can if you use too much or apply it on unwashed skin. Stick to 3–4 drops on clean skin, and use fewer drops if your skin is oily.
Is kumkumadi oil good for dry, flaky winter skin?
Yes. Its sesame oil base is deeply nourishing, and many people find it softens dry, flaky patches overnight.
The Bottom Line
Winter skin doesn't need ten new products. It needs gentler cleansing, lukewarm water, sunscreen and a few drops of a good oil every night. Use kumkumadi oil on damp skin, keep it to 3–4 drops, and give it a few weeks. Your skin will get through the season soft and glowing instead of flaky and dull.
Ready for your winter routine? Get Kumkumadi Tailam oil. And if your skin still looks tired after a full night's rest, read why your skin looks tired even after 8 hours of sleep.
This article is for general information only and is not medical advice. For ongoing skin concerns, please speak to a dermatologist or a qualified Ayurvedic doctor.
