Defending your skin from the period of weather that occurs between November and March is kind of like running uphill—the forces of nature are almost literally against you. Radiators are on, temps are down and the air is getting drier by the minute, which leads to dehydrated, flakey, frizzy and generally upset skin and hair. But, fret not, we have a bevy of beauty tips to keep you hydrated and static-free all winter long. Ahead, some quick fixes to common winter beauty concerns from head to toe.
Beating the Winter Beauty Blues
Pick the Right Cleanser
Picking the right cleanser that will keep your skin clean and healthy without over-drying or stripping is key to beating the winter beauty blues. In the colder months, gentle cleansing is a must and your skin barrier should be in the front of your mind. As a rule of thumb, if your skin feels tight after washing it is likely that the cleanser you are using has disrupted your skin barrier. Skin should feel calm and hydrated after washing, so if you are reaching immediately for your moisturizer you may want to consider a gentler cleanser. One to try: CeraVe’s Hydrating Facial Cleanser ($18)
Layer Your Moisturizers
Moisturization is key in any skin-care routine, but when the winter weather ensues, just one cream or lotion isn’t enough. To give your skin the hydration it needs, start layering your moisturizing products. To offset the dry, cold weather, start by adding a hydrating serum to your routine, like L’Oreal’s Revitalift Pure Hyaluronic Acid Serum ($33) before going in with a rich lotion like Drunk Elephant’s viral Bora Barrier Rich Repair Cream ($69).
Pair Your Body Products
Just like the skin on our face, our bodies need extra love in the winter. In order to prevent that dry, itchy feeling that takes over in the cold weather, start by adding a shower oil to your routine in place of a body cleanser for some added moisture in the shower (and remember, not too hot with the water!). Then, commit to using a powerful moisturizer while the skin is still damp to help lock in moisture. Two to try: L’Occitane’s Almond Shower Oil ($29) and Almond Body Milk ($58).
Prevent Chapped Lips
If you’re like me, you may have thought that chapped lips in the winter are inevitable, but with the innovations in the lip-care category today, that is no longer the case. Lips can get extremely dry in the winter, as the skin on the lips is thinner and constantly exposed to the elements. In fact, the skin on our lips has between three and five cellular layers, whereas the rest of our skin has about 16. As a result, you need a powerful lip moisturizer to keep your pout in tact, like La Roche-Posay’s Cicaplast B5 Lip Balm for Dry Lips ($10).
Combat Cracked Hands
We know it’s easy to, but don’t skimp on hand care. During the winter, it doesn’t suffice to apply some lotion in the morning and call it a day. Instead, keep a moisturizer at your desk, in your car and in your purse so you remember to reapply throughout the day. For an extra dose of hydration, use a duo nail cream once a day to keep your nails in tip-top shape, too. One to try: Philosophy Hands of Hope Fresh Cream Nurturing Hand & Nail Cream ($13).
Don’t Let Your Hair Go Dry
We often associate the winter with dry skin, but the colder elements can lead to dry, dull hair too. With less light reflecting off the surface of the cuticles, hair can quickly start to look dull and drab at this time of year. Coupled with hair that’s probably been damaged by a summer of UV exposure, which creates an uneven hair surface, it’s no wonder your hair is looking less than its best in the colder months. To restore shine, try a gloss treatment to reinstate that vinyl effect. A gloss acts like a conditioning, nourishing treatment for your cuticle. Plus, the great thing about these treatments is that you can benefit from one even if you don’t color your hair. Although it’s not a permanent fix, it’s a great way to boost the health of your hair, which will improve shine and condition. One to try: OUAI Hair Gloss ($34).
