Winter has its charm; cold weather, woollies, and snowy backdrop seem enchanting to look forward to. On the flip side, winter comes in with the cold crisp air that drops humidity levels as outdoor temperatures cool. When combined with dry indoor heat, this seasonal change can take a toll on the skin and hair if proper skin & hair care tweaks are not made to your routine.

Winter Skin Care

During the winter, our body tries to hold in heat by narrowing the blood vessels. As a result, the outer layers of the skin become dehydrated and dull. Dry skin is the most common in dry air and cooler conditions. It may worsen from mild roughness to flaking or even cracking of the skin. Moreover, dry air and low humidity trigger eczema symptoms.

Fine wrinkle formation has been linked to dryness. Therefore, windy winter weather often can wreak havoc on the aging and mature skin. As the skin loses moisture, fine lines & wrinkles become more visible.

So, the best way to keep your skin from drying out is to make a few changes that improve moisture and hydration.

  • Winter is a time to switch up to hydrating cleansers.
    Make the first move and outsmart stripping by swapping foamy cleanser for a hydrating without compromising the skin’s protective barrier. In colder months, creamy cleansers work best to remove the surface impurities and pores while soothing dry areas. Even acne-prone skin is at risk of drying during winter. As the weather turns colder, skin tends to produce less sebum. Use a gentle exfoliating cleansing formula which is less likely to contribute to breakout.
  • Double up on moisturizer
    Rich moisturizer is a holy grail for dry, parched skin. Opt for creams formulated with moisture-holding humectants (ex- glycerin, hyaluronic acid), moisture-replenishing emollients (ex-coconut oil, shea butter), moisture-trapping occlusive (ex- mineral oil), and barrier-building ceramides. If your skin runs on the drier side, a hydrating serum that contains Hyaluronic acid and Vitamin B5 (Panthenol)can be applied as a base layer before smoothing on your moisturizing cream. And don’t forget the body. Thick lotion formulas with essential vitamins, calming botanicals, and powerful antioxidants leave the skin feeling soft, toned, and protected, even in the most compromised skin conditions.

    Winter always brings dry skin lacking in luster and glow. This may inspire you to start or change the anti-aging routine, which includes retinoids. Look for retinoid emulsions formulated into a hydrating base.

  • Wear an SPF every day
    It is important to slather sunscreen daily, even during winter, because snow reflects 80 percent of the sun’s UV rays, increasing the risk of skin cancer and premature aging. Consider sunscreen with SPF 30 or above.
  • Winter is the prime time for exfoliation
    Winter is the high time of the year to exfoliate. As winter can exacerbate dry skin conditions causing skin cells to die off faster, a winter skincare routine should include exfoliation to slough off dead cells. It is best to remove dead skin cells with an AHA or BHA leave-on exfoliants. Twice a week should suffice.
  • Care your lips
    Lips are often the first to feel the cold. So, your lips also require full attention as chapped lips are a fact of winter’s wrath. Apply hydrating lip balm regularly to preserve the luscious healthy lips.

Winter Hair Care

Similarly, winter can be tough on hair and scalp. The exposure to the harsh cold weather and constant transition to heated indoors can draw out moisture from hair and scalp. Static hair is a common winter woe. It happens when hair becomes built up an electric charge. In low humid weather, like winter, moisture can’t penetrate the hair strands, and static electricity happens, causing them to stick out. That makes hair strands repel each, leaving hair frizzy and difficult to manage & style.

So, it is important to treat hair gently, particularly if you have fragile, damaged, or fine hair. Here are essential tweaks on how to avoid some of the most common hair issues during the winter.

  • Wash your hair less often & never skip conditioner
    Frequent shampooing strips off natural lubricant sebum that helps hair and scalp moisturize. This is not great in the winter months when that natural oil is much needed. Try to extend the time between your washes. For example, if you wash your hair daily, switch to every other day. And never skip the conditioner during winter. The conditioner helps bind the hair fiber together to strengthen it while fighting frizz and flyways.
  • Don’t leave your hair wet for long
    In this weather, when hair is wet, the hair shaft expands, making it very prone to breakage. Air/fan drying is the best way to dry the hair
  • Reduce statistic
    Low humidity air during winter can make hair electrically charged, leading to further damage and breakage. Use a leave-on conditioner or a hair mousse to fight frizz, and easy to manage and style.

    Massage a serum or oil your hair & scalp and leave overnight once or twice a week to boost hydration

  • Combat dandruff
    Dandruff is a common complaint due to a fungal infection or dry scalp in the winter. Consider using an anti-dandruff shampoo with active ingredients like salicylic acid, zinc pyrithione, ketoconazole, selenium sulfide, or coal tar.
  • Avoid heat style
    Heat styling tools such as straighteners, blow dryers, and curlers can cause more hair breakage and cause split ends when hair is already at its weakest best in the chilly weather. Limit these tools and apply a heat protectant serum if you must style.