During the bitter winter months, dry hands crack, brittle hair breaks and skin gets flaky. This drives people everywhere to look for solutions to these painful, irritating issues. Thankfully, there are many reliable and effective tips and tricks to get victims of the cold air through this rough season.
The dry air during the winter tends to make hair frizzy and flaky. With just a few changes to any routine, however, hair can stay silky and healthy instead.
Senior Adri Lamm shared, “If I do get a little bit of dryness, I will shampoo my hair twice and then use a conditioner on my ends and use a light amount to condition my scalp. What I have learned from working in a salon and shampooing clients is that most clients don’t take care of their scalp. Most people think it’s not okay to use conditioner on the scalp, but it actually is, as long as it’s used in small amounts and on the right type of hair.”
Other tips to stop the negative effects of the winter on hair are to dry it before leaving the house, limit heat or use heat protectant, and use a leave-in conditioner. All of these, plus protective hairstyles like braids, should keep hair from getting ruined in its inevitable overexposure to the damaging weather.
Other than hair, the winter takes a toll on the skin, drying it out and making it more susceptible to acne and other blemishes. Senior Collin Berry recommends CeraVe moisturizer.
“It’s very lightweight and simple for someone who has sensitive skin and just needs a basic and safe moisturizer,” said Berry.
“I use an eye cream from E.L.F. because my under eyes are really sensitive and get really dry,” said Lamm.
It’s important during the winter season to not neglect the little things and keep everything as healthy as it can be.
Berry also suggests Neutrogena acne cream, since it’s very effective and useful. Another acne combatting product is Differin gel, which helps with fungal acne breakouts.
Freshman Luke Hood shared his holy grail, a different product that he thinks is necessary for the icy air.
“I love the Drunk Elephant barrier repairing cream. It makes my skin smooth and really gets rid of my dry skin,” said Hood.
Not only does the skin need extra moisture in the winter, but lips are very sensitive to the cold and can become tender when exposed to the dry air.
Berry mentioned using aquaphor on lips to counter cracking and paleness, which can be irritating and sore if not taken care of.
Lamm recommended another lip product, and said, “My favorite skincare product in the winter is my lip sleeping
mask from Laneige because it’s super hydrating. I haven’t had chapped lips once this winter because of this product.”
Along with this, Hood suggested to start wearing sunscreen. Most people don’t realize that during the winter the northern hemisphere is actually closer to the sun, and sunscreen is still an everyday necessity even in the chill weather.
Other products that are worth investing in this winter season are The Ordinary Niacinamide and Zinc serum, the La-Roche Posay Effaclar Clarifying Solution, Skinceuticals C E Ferulic serum and the Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow Toner. All of these products help to keep skin protected and properly hydrated in the harsh weather.
Additionally, the bitter cold can damage hands and fingernails by making them crack, peel and be painful.
One way to combat this is using a nail serum or vaseline on the cuticles any time they seem dry.
Hood stated, “I use the EOS lotion a lot because it’s not sticky at all and it really works well.”
Another product that is effective for hand care is the Aveda Hand Relief.
Lamm stated, “I highly recommend the Aveda Hand Relief lotion and a good cuticle oil because you are constantly washing your hands and drying them out, but the Aveda lotion can last up to five hand washes. I have also come to find out that this is the only product that actually helps with the relief of my eczema rashes. It’s better than any other product I have tried so it’s definitely a must!”
It’s worthwhile to focus on care and health in the winter, especially in the places that are prone to dryness and damage in the winter weather. Skin, hair and hands need sufficient attention during this extreme part of the year, but it’s easy to take care of them with the right products and information.