How To Protect Your Skin And Hair During The Winter Months

If you’re like me, you invest handsomely in your skincare and beauty routine. Once I find what works, I stick with it. However, not every product I use works year-round, as our skin has different needs as the temperature shifts. Here are a few ways to update your beauty routine and protect your skin and hair during the winter months.

Buy A Humidifier

Dry hair is prone to breakage and dry skin can become chapped and itchy, but it’s not just the outdoor air that can be dry. If the winter air is dry in your home or office invest in a humidifier, preferably one with a built-in humidity sensor. You don’t have to have your humidifier on all day. For example, you could keep a small humidifier on your desk at work, or only use one in your bedroom at night while you sleep—which is when your skin, hair and body repair and heal. Just be mindful of cleaning and maintenance as humidifiers are prone to mold.

Upgrade Your Moisturizers

• Body: Generally, we need lighter and thinner moisturizers in the summer and thicker and creamier formulas in the winter. For your body, this might mean a natural body butter like Tree Hut Shea Moisturizer. Always apply after you shower.  If your skin is dry, apply  both in the morning and the evening. Also be sure to carry hand moisturizer with you, like AHAVA Dead Sea Mineral Hand Cream.

• Face: In the summer you likely use a thicker face cream in the evenings, but now you may also need one during the day. If you struggle with dry skin on your face, apply a hydrating serum like Skinceuticals before your moisturizer. Also, apply a hydrating face sheet mask at least once per week before bedtime.

• Lips: If your lips easily chap you can protect them with lip balms like Burt’s Bees Ultra Conditioning Lip Balm. It may be grey and cold, but don’t forget to use formulas with SPF protection when you are outside.

• Hair: Feel free to use the same shampoo and conditioning products year-round, but in the winter, it is wise to deep condition 1 or 2 times a week. You can leave your regular conditioner on for up to 20 minutes with a shower cap on, buy a hydrating hair mask like the Argan Mask from Arvazallia, or use a hot oil treatment.

Stay Hydrated

During the summer it can be easier to remember to stay hydrated because it’s hot out. Now that the weather has cooled down, you might not be as eager to drink ice-cold beverages. However, without daily hydration your skin and hair will be dryer and more at risk in the cold weather. To stay warm and toasty, as well as boost my antioxidant intake, I buy a selection of teas for winter. In the morning I like Rishi green tea for a caffeine kick, and in the afternoons, I drink spearmint tea. Always be mindful of what you add to your tea. Lemon is fine, but keep sugar to a minimum—and sweeten with honey if needed.

Winter Hair Care

In addition to the conditioning tips above, there are several changes you should make to your winter hair care routine.

• To maintain moisture in my hair and skin I use a year-round silk pillowcase.
• Wash hair in warm, but not hot, water as it can weaken your hair.
• Don’t head out with wet hair, as it is more sensitive to the cold.
• Wear a hat if you will be outside for more than a few minutes. It won’t just keep your head warm but will protect your hair from the cold. Be sure to wear a satin lined hat which adds extra protection for your hair.
• Try to minimize heated styling tools, but if you must—use a heat protectant like HSI Heat Protector.
• Only shampoo once or twice a week as to not strip your hair.
• Use an itchy scalp formula if you have dry scalp patches. Head & Shoulder’s works. You can apply it to just the itchy areas of your scalp, then rinse it out and shampoo and condition as usual.
• You may have more split ends in the winter so trim your hair every 6 weeks or so. While you’re at the salon, get a deep conditioning treatment.

Winter Footcare

Your feet may be cooped up inside your boots all winter, but that doesn’t mean you should forget about them until summer. Winter is the perfect time to try an exfoliating foot mask, which peels off all the skin on your feet over about 7 days—not something you want to do in the summer. Exfoliate your heels and rough spots with a Mr. Pumice bar and apply a thick foot cream at night, preferably with moisturizing  socks. You can also pop in for a pedicure a few times during the winter and treat your hands and feet to a paraffin wax treatment.

Let’s get healthy and beautiful hair and skin this winter!

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