Just when we’ve finally managed to recover from the battering our skin and hair took over the summer, here comes cold weather. Freezing temperatures and strong winds definitely do no good to our skin or hair. You’re not safe even if you’re inside: dry air strips the moisture, making our hair look rough and skin feeling itchy and cracked.
In this article, we’ll offer tips and tricks on how to keep your skin and hair healthy even during cold weather.
General Preventive Measures
As you may have heard, prevention is always better than cure. The following tips can help you prevent dry skin and hair during the harshest weather conditions:
- Avoid long, hot showers – Although this may seem impossible during winter, taking short warm or lukewarm showers is much healthier for your skin and hair.
- Layer up – If you need to go outside, put on enough layers to protect your skin and hair. Scarves, hats, and gloves should become your best friends during winter.
- Drink enough water – Studies show drinking water keeps your skin hydrated.
- Adjust your diet – Food’s rich in omega-3 fatty acids – such as salmon, avocado, nuts, or olive oil – should become a part of your diet. These healthy fats hydrate and soothe your skin. Additionally, stock up on produce rich in vitamin C, such as citrus fruits or greens. Vitamin C helps the production of collagen and elastin, both essential for skin and hair.
In Case You Forgot…
So, what if you were too late with preventive measures and are now wondering how to cure dry skin and hair? Here are the solutions:
Dry Skin
To cure dry skin, you’ll need to use thick moisturizers with nurturing ingredients such as shea butter, glycerin, primrose oil, or vitamin E. Additionally, you can use creams with ceramides and lipids to repair the damage.
It’s also important to carefully choose the soaps and shower gels. Look for those that don’t contain ingredients that will strip the moisture further.
After showering, apply a thick layer of lotion to lock in the moisture.
Red Nose
The best way to get rid of a red nose is to apply a warm compress for several minutes and then apply ointment or a thick moisturizer. Remember to use soft tissues for wiping your nose and moisturize every night before bed.
Dry Hair
Wind and cold air always take their toll on our hair. To keep your hair shiny and healthy during winter, it’s best to wash it as seldom as possible. Shampoos strip away the moisture and make our scalp and hair even drier. Try waiting longer between washes to enable your hair to recover.
Conditioners and hair masks are a must during winter. They contain the necessary ingredients to keep your hair moisturized.
Additionally, avoid brushing your wet hair because it’s much more delicate and prone to damage. If you need to brush it, use a tad of olive oil to make the process easier.
If you have a dry scalp, massage it with olive or coconut oil before washing your hair.
Dry and Chapped Lips
For flaky lips, you can use a sugar scrub or a toothbrush to get rid of excess skin. Also, don’t forget about lip balm; it should be used both outside and inside due to dry air.
Before bed, you can apply a rich moisturizer to your lips to hydrate them.
Cracked Feet
Cracked heels are another common problem during winter. Fortunately, you don’t have to spend money on pedicures. Instead, follow these three steps to get rid of cracked and dry feet:
- Scrub once a week.
- Moisturize every night.
- Wear cotton socks to bed.
Dry Face and Windburn
Because it’s always exposed, your face can get extremely dry due to harsh winds and low temperatures to cure it, it’s necessary to use a gentle face wash and apply thick moisturizers followed by face oils.
Many people tend to forget that it’s possible to get sunburn even during the cold weather. Hence, using an SPF cream is highly advisable year-round.
Your Skin and Hair Will Be Grateful
Our skincare and haircare routines should change depending on the time of year. During winter, skin and hair get easily damaged by strong winds, rain, snow, and low temperatures. To keep them protected, it’s necessary to use the right products and be gentle and consistent.
