Winter Skin, Lip and Hair Care Tips

It’s winter – in my part of the world, for sure. And you know what that means? Dry, flaky skin; flyaway hair and chapped lips and hands. But worry not. I’ve got a few winter skin care tips to help ward off dry skin and hair woes.

SOOTHE WINTER SKIN AND HAIR WOES

General Skin Health:

1. Hot water and extended showers can be very drying, especially in the winter. Turn down the water temperature and keep your shower time to a minimum.

2. Hydrate from within. Indoor heating makes me parched and dry. Drinking water helps a lot but my beverage of choice is pure, unadulterated coconut water. It quenches my thirst, has more potassium and less sodium than sports drinks and is low in calories. It does however have about 5.5 calories per ounce so I limit myself to one 11-oz container per day.

3. Moisturize the outside. Now is the time to slather on the moisturizer and because different formulations meet different skin needs, look for one that is a bit heavier than your summer time moisturizer. I like an oil-based moisturizer in winter finding that my skin retains more moisture with one than it does with a lighter lotion. For your face, look for moisturizers that contain oils such as almond, avocado or primrose as these won’t clog your pores. For your body, Shea oil does the trick.

4. Humidify Your Environment. I cannot sleep in the winter unless I have a humidifier near my bed. Humidifiers add moisture to the air and help prevent skin from drying out. If, for some reason, I forget to turn on my humidifier, I often wake up in the middle of the night with a bloody nose and terribly dry throat.

5. Don’t soak in a hot tub for too long. Instead, relax in a warm bath. If your skin is itchy, add oatmeal or baking soda to the bath to help relieve dry skin. And don’t forget to apply moisturizer after the bath.

6. Don’t forget sunscreen. The sun is still shining, even if it seems to be playing hide and seek with the clouds. Plus snow glare can give you sunburn, as many skiiers know.

Products to Try:

Dry Hands and Feet

1. Our hands are exposed to the elements all the time and, because the skin on our hands is thin with fewer oil glands, they are susceptible to itching and cracking. Wear gloves when you are outside and apply hand cream throughout the day. I keep sample or travel tubes of hand cream in my handbag so I am never without it.

2. Ditch the antibacterial cleanser. Besides the fact that these can be very drying, some of the ingredients in antibacterial hand cleansers have come into question by the FDA that claims that simple soap and water are still the best way to wash your hands. In addition, many health and environmental experts question the widespread use of antibacterial soaps saying they may contribute to antibiotic resistance.

3. Moisturize, moisturize and moisturize some more – and then slip on a pair of soft cotton gloves and socks before bed. You’ll wake up with smoother hands and feet.

4. Gloves and socks got wet while shoveling snow? Dry your hands and change your socks because the wetness, combined with the cold air, can further irritate skin and cause it to itch and crack.

Products to Try:

Winter Hair Woes

1. Again, avoid hot showers and hot water when washing your hair.

2. Hair is generally less greasy and sweaty in cold weather than in warm, so it shouldn’t need to be washed as often. (There’s a controversy brewing about just how often hair should be washed, regardless of the time of year. The consensus seems to be as infrequently as possible.) Shampooing strips hair and scalp of essential oils and dries it out, as do blow dryers, hot curlers, etc. Try using a dry shampoo in between washings and look for treatments that combat dry hair and scalp to cut down on frizzies and flyaways.

3. Use a hair mask or deep moisturizing treatment once a week.  Don’t have one at your disposal? Your pantry has the solution. Try a mask made of coconut oil or a conditioner made of olive oil. Let it soak in for about half an hour and shampoo.

4. Avoid “hat hair” by putting your hair up in an elastic or fabric band before putting on your hat. When you remove your hat and the elastic, shake out your hair and you should be good to go.

5. Before styling your hair, mist your brush with a heat-protectant spray to reduce dryness.

6. There is still a controversy waging about whether or not it’s good advice to brush your hair. Brushing your hair helps to distribute natural oils from the scalp to prevent dry hair. Use a good brush and only brush hair when it’s fully dry. Brushing wet hair may cause breakage.

Products to Try:

Dry or Chapped Lips

1. Gently exfoliate lips with a soft toothbrush or fluffy towel and then apply lip balm. (Don’t do this if lips are chapped and bleeding.)

2. Lip balm is inexpensive so stock up on it and keep one in every coat, handbag and your car’s glove compartment. That way you’ll never be without it.

3. But if you find that you are – head for your pantry. Coconut oil is a great lip conditioner – but avoid licking it or you’ll cause your lips to dry out further.

4. Now is the time to use moisturizing lipsticks.

5. Keep your nose and mouth covered when you’re outside, especially if a cold or allergies prevent you from breathing through your nose.

6. Use lip balm before bedtime, every single night.

Products to Try:

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