Winter’s biting winds, frigid temperatures, and parched, dry air can really take a toll on skin and hair. Low humidity, central heating, and hot showers can all remove essential moisture and natural oils from your hair and skin, causing itching and irritation. This can leave you with dry and brittle hair.
We spoke with Erin Hickey, the LifeSpa category manager and licensed hair stylist, and Tammy Davidson, the certified esthetician at the LifeSpa at Life Time in Colorado Springs, Colorado, to get some advice on how to keep luscious locks and a glowing complexion all year long. These are their top tips.
- Pay attention to your hydration.
Increasing your water consumption will help prevent dry, irritated skin and promote better hair since hydration starts from the inside out. Yet, many people drink less water in the winter because they don’t feel the need to stay cool, as they usually do in warmer weather.
In light of this, try to consume half of your body weight in ounces of water each day. This can contain a cup of hot tea or warm water with lemon, along with some ice water.
- Make a humidifier purchase.
“You likely spend a lot of your time indoors during the winter, and heating systems suck moisture from the air, which can remove natural oils from your skin,” adds Davidson.”A humidifier helps maintain the integrity of your skin’s natural moisture barrier by replacing that lost moisture.” Use it while you sleep and consider installing one in your bedroom or another a place where you frequently spend time.
- Take shorter showers.
Aim for short showers because hot water might damage the moisture barrier on your skin. Go in and out as quickly as you can, spending no more than five minutes under a mild stream of water. Additionally, refrain from overwashing since this can exacerbate dryness and flaking, particularly if your arms and legs feel particularly dry. Davidson recommends skipping the soap and simply rinsing with water, or sticking with a light, fragrance-free cleanser.
- Select the appropriate moisturizer.
“To smooth, rehydrate, and plump parched skin, I always look for hydrating products with vitamin C and hyaluronic acid,” Davidson adds. The primary purpose of hyaluronic acid is to retain water, which keeps your tissues moist. Your skin produces more skin cells when it is moisturized and protected, which results in radiant skin. Using some of these natural skin cures can also be a good idea, depending on how the winter cold is affecting your skin.
Bonus tip: To assist your skin retain some of the moisture, apply moisturizer when it’s somewhat damp, such right after a shower.
- Consider getting a facial.
The LifeSpa is one of many salons that will tailor a facial to your skin type. If you see signs of winter dryness on your skin, this may involve applying extra moisture. A HydraFacial® is another option that can help your skin in many ways. One of the best ways to fight dryness and protect your skin, this soothing treatment resurfaces and detoxifies by drawing impurities from your face and filling your pores with antioxidants, hyaluronic acid, and moisturizing serums.
- Reduce the amount of shampooing you do.
According to Hickey, “an itchy, flaky scalp is a sure sign to change your haircare routine.” “It’s especially important in the winter to protect and moisturize your hair, but overwashing will strip it of these natural oils.” Try washing your hair every other day if you now do it every day. If you now wash your hair every other day, increase the frequency to every two days. To keep your hair looking and smelling nice in between, use dry shampoo.
- Select the appropriate air conditioner.
When washing your hair, be sure to use the appropriate products. Switch out your old conditioner for one that has oil injected to seal in moisture and repair damage. Consult your hair stylist for suggestions if you’re unsure what to use.
- Before you step outside, dry your hair.
Even if it doesn’t fall below freezing where you live, make sure your hair is completely dry before dashing out the door. “Cold air expands the hair shaft, which can cause color to fade and make your strands more prone to breakage,” explains Hickey.
- Make a weekly moisture mask commitment.
Applying a hair mask is a simple and efficient method to give your hair growth-promoting, moisturizing, and softening properties. Once a week, apply a deep conditioning mask to the ends of damp hair, moving it upward toward the roots. Before rinsing, let it stay for at least twenty minutes.
- Apply a hair serum or leave-in conditioner.
Hickey suggests using a leave-in conditioner or adding hair oil to your routine if your hair seems brittle or has a lot of static. Use a tiny bit on damp hair ends to keep them from breaking and to give your hair a silky, glossy finish.
