6 Winter Well-Being and Beauty Tips! Just because it’s grey outside doesn’t mean you should be!
Updated: Jan 6, 2021
Winter is here! Some people would say its their favourite season for all the great fashion and cozy nights in. But that also means we're faced with the task of adjusting our skin care and makeup routine to accommodate for the dry, cold, sharp air and punishing, even more drying indoor heating (fun). As a result, the season can also play havoc with your skin, leading to chapped lips and dry flaky skin, frizzy dry hair amongst other things if proper care is not taken during these colder months. These months can also take its toll on your mood and enthusiasm, especially as yet again we've been plunged into another lockdown. So here are a few tips that will help you keep your skin hydrated and glowing throughout the season and hopefully lift your spirits!
Tip 1: Say Goodbye to Chapped Lips!
Cold weather and sun exposure are major factors that cause of chapped lips, cool air, reduced humidity and windy weather can leave the skin on your lips dry and cracked. The lack of moisture can leave your skin feeling dry and uncomfortable, which results in chapped, peeling and painful lips.
Regularly exfoliating your lips will not only help to get rid of your dead skin cells, but it also helps to stimulate healthier skin cells to emerge. It is important to protect the skin on the lips and give it a protective barrier, keep lips covered with a good lip balm, which should be applied several times during the day. Products rich in Vitamin A, Vitamin E and with shea butter are great for helping to restore the skin, as they help defend exposed skin from further damage much like our lipglosses. Lip balms are now commonly available with a Sun Protection Factor (SPF). Make sure the lip balm contains SPF 15 or 20 to further protect the skin. Also it is important to drink plenty of water to stay hydrated.
Tip 2: Up your skin game!
Cold weather and cool winds aggravate dry skin conditions, leaving skin feeling even more dry, flaky and rough. Exposure to cold, windy weather and intense sunlight can disrupt the skin’s natural barrier function. As a result it is important to support, protect and repair your skin with the changing seasons.
If you have dry skin you will notice that your skin becomes worse during the winter months. This is because people with dry skin naturally have lower levels of natural moisturising factor (NMF) in their skin, and harsh winter weather can lessen this further, leaving your skin flaky and rough-textured. It is important for people with dry skin to exfoliate regularly, to avoid the build up of dead skin cells. Regardless of skin tone/type, there are key ingredients that we can all benefit from; Vitamin C is an excellent, multitasking anti-oxidant which repairs, renews and strengthens the skin. Exfoliants rich in glycolic, lactic and salicylic acids will help stimulate healthy skin rejuvenation.
Be sure to moisturise when your skin is still damp after showering. This is the optimal time to give your freshly steamed and washed skin its much-needed hydration. Use a moisturising night cream every evening. Apply a daytime moisturiser around your eyes and on dry areas each morning. Make sure you check with your doctor or dermatologist for the best type of cream for your skin.
Tip 3: Don't forget your cuticles!
Cuticles are also affected by the winter cold, not to mention air conditioning and central heating. As a result the cuticles become less elastic and very dry to the touch. Which means that in cold temperatures people are more likely to experience split cuticles, which is very painful.
As many of us are now having to resort to DIY manicures, I asked my nail technician (@clawsoflondon) for her best tips for caring for your cuticles. She said the "Best advice I would give is to gently push back cuticles after a bath or shower. If you don't have a proper cuticle tool you can easily do this with a cotton bud or a soft muslin cloth. Then apply cuticle oil - if you don’t have any to hand, you can still get the same great results from Jojoba, olive or coconut oil. You will see the dramatic difference if you can do this daily for just a week or so."
So don't forget whilst your body needs hydration so do your cuticles!
Tip 4: Say no to dry hair!
During winter most of us will spend a lot of times in rooms with the central heating on, as a result your hair can become dry, brittle and grow split ends due to the dry heat. A way to tackle this problem is to make sure your hair is always hydrated in order to reduce the chances of it drying out and causing breakage. A great way to hydrate your hair is to commit to a deep conditioning treatment using a thick moisturising conditioner ideal for you hair type, at least every 1 - 2 weeks this will help to replenish the moisture. Try to pick one that contains fatty acids and humectants, such as soy protein and Panthenol. These ingredients help attract and retain moisture in the hair. Make sure you follow the guidelines written on the packaging for best results.
As the weather gets colder your scalp can begin to peel and become dry and itchy. While this is should usually only be temporary, this is a problem you probably don't want. Applying a natural oil to the hair ensures it is well hydrated with essential moisture and nutrients. Please make sure the oil is right for your hair type, thicker oils like castor oil or coconut oil are good for people afro hair or thicker hair, whilst people with other hair types can use argon oil or jojoba oil. These oils can be applied to your scalp to help tackle the dandruff, it can also applied throughout the hair, which will help treat any possible split ends and will bring shine into your hair. Make sure to apply as needed.
Another useful tip to tackle dry hair and breakage is to wear a silk head-wrap whilst you sleep or sleep with a satin pillow case. Silk is naturally hypoallergenic it is known to help prevent thinning, knotted hair and split ends as it stimulates hydration.