10 Beauty Tips for Avoiding Dry Skin and Hair This Winter

When fall turns to winter, it’s only natural to switch to warmer clothes and heartier meals. Skincare is another routine that needs to change as the cold, dry season approaches. When the mercury drops and humidity decreases, dry skin is quite prevalent. A compromised skin barrier is typically to blame.

Natural oils provide a hydrating and protective layer on our skin, trapping moisture. Taking too many hot showers or using products that dry out your skin and hair can rob you of these natural oils. Here are 10 tips to help you avoid dry skin and hair this winter.

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1. Ditch Shampoos With Drying Ingredients

Only buy shampoos that won’t deplete your hair’s natural oils. They shouldn’t contain any sodium lauryl sulfate, preservatives, parabens, coloring agents, silicone or other substances that harm the environment and your hair. Shampoo bars are incredibly efficient in restoring the pH levels of the scalp and removing buildup without compromising your hair’s natural oils. They are derived from natural ingredients like coconut oil for hydration and lemon, a natural cleanser.

2. Modify Your Skincare Regimen

You might want to modify your skincare regimen if your face appears sensitive or itchy due to the dry winter air. A healthy skin barrier is essential to respond well to serums, toners and other skin care treatments.

Inflamed skin may be more sensitive to scent and alcohol-containing compounds. This means that things that might typically feel amazing on your face could begin to irritate you. Consider simplifying your skincare routine during winter. You could start by applying only a moisturizer and sunscreen in the morning and a mild cleanser and moisturizer in the evening. You can slowly add treatments and products to your regimen once you’re positive that the moisture barrier on your skin is healthy.

3. Reduce the Length and Frequency of Your Showers

Enjoying a nice, long hot shower feels fantastic when it’s cold outside. But it isn’t good for you if you have dry skin. Because of chilly days, everyone thinks having a hot shower is a lovely treatment. However, excessive washing dries out the skin. Your skin will also become dry from the hot water itself. If you’re not exercising and getting sweaty, doctors recommend taking shorter, five- to 10-minute showers every other day.

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4. Shampoo Less Often

Shampooing dehydrates the scalp and hair. Therefore, washing your hair no more than every other day is a good idea. Everyone has different hair requirements, so whatever shampooing frequency is usual for you, consider extending the interval between shampoos to accommodate the dry winter weather.

Don’t forget the conditioner, either. To keep hair clean and moisturized, skipping the shampoo in favor of a short rinse and conditioning treatment is perfectly fine. You can opt for a different type of conditioner. Try a conditioner bar with two soothing plant-based components: coconut and jojoba oil. Conditioner bars soften, smoothen and detangle hair without weighing it down or producing buildup, and they reduce plastic waste.

5. Keep Lip Balm Handy

Winter winds can further irritate lips that are already chapped, so keep a lip balm in your pocket or bag. If your lips are flaky, gently exfoliate them with a clean toothbrush or sugar scrub. Apply a thick, natural lip balm as a follow-up and continue doing so throughout the day to keep your lips soft and moisturized. Vegan lip balms or those made with natural ingredients have calming, all-day benefits that keep your lips hydrated and full of moisture while avoiding chapped or cracked skin.

6. Apply Moisturizer After Showering

Your skin’s hydration is important after showering. Apply moisturizer as soon as you leave the shower, and pat your skin dry with a towel. Moisturizers work by trapping moisture in the skin, which is hard to do when the skin is dehydrated. So, applying moisturizer on damp skin is far more effective if you have dry skin in the winter.

7. Hydrate and Ingest Antioxidants

Be sure to drink more than enough water and other liquids throughout the day since this is another crucial component in maintaining healthy, beautiful skin. Your skin’s appearance and sensitivity to drying out can both be impacted by not consuming enough fluids.

You may want to concentrate on consuming meals high in omega-3 fatty acids and antioxidants. These practices may shield your cells from environmental deterioration and support the production of healthy cells in your body, including skin cells.

8. Use Nighttime Treatments

Overnight treatments can rejuvenate or prevent dry skin. Emollients work exceptionally well to moisturize. Also, use skin-repairing ceramides, which seal the gaps between skin cells and aid in the skin’s self-healing process. Remember that they can take a while to penetrate your skin since they are a thicker type of cream.

When you use a moisturizer overnight, your skin will get the time it needs to absorb the treatments, and the emollient will have time to restore your skin. If you use thick moisturizers on your hands or feet, it’s a good idea to cover them with gloves or plastic bags to keep the emollient working on your skin rather than spreading over your bed linens.

9. Pamper Your Nails and Cuticles

Nails become sensitive and vulnerable to peeling or splitting when cold and dry air drains them of their moisture. Apply cuticle oil or lotion to your nails before bedtime. Use a cuticle oil with moisturizing components to treat them, and sleep with gloves to help with absorption. Don’t hesitate to reapply the product throughout the day, particularly after washing your hands.

10. Carefully Review the Ingredients Label

Not all moisturizers are made with high-quality ingredients. Although lotions are more commonly used since they’re simpler than moisturizers, lotions may not always be ideal for moisturizing skin. The alcohol and fragrances found in lotions can irritate the skin. Dermatologists tend to prefer creams over lotions. When shopping for a cream, read the ingredient list and choose a product that contains hyaluronic acid and ceramide, both of which are moisture friendly.

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To Summarize

Winter skincare requires behavior modifications like showering less frequently, using gentle, effective moisturizers and reading ingredient lists carefully. Don’t hesitate to experiment with various products and methods to find what suits you. You can beat dry skin in the winter and have healthy tresses with a bit of extra winter care.