Winter is in full swing, and while its arrival brings a lot great things, it also comes along with dry, parched skin - and hair. Luckily, with a good skincare and haircare routine, hydrated, soft, revitalized skin and hair is totally possible – even in the driest climates! We’ve gathered some great tips to help you keep your skin and hair hydrated, all winter long.
For Hair & Skin
Humidify Your Home
It’s simple – dry air equals dry skin and hair. To maximize the amount of water in the air, place a humidifier in your bedroom, or the room you spend the most time in. Cool air humidifiers increase moisture in the hair, which helps keep your skin barrier in-tact, hydrated, and is easier on your hair. Win-win!
Pay Attention to Your Diet
There is a direct correlation between gut, skin and hair, and increasing your daily intake of healthy fats has been shown to benefit your interior as much as your exterior. Diets rich in walnut, olive oil, avocados, fatty fish, and sweet potatoes provide your skin and hair with essential nutrients they need to stay hydrated and thrive. On the other hand, alcohol, caffeine and coffee can be dehydrating – so watch your intake of those as well!
Shower Smarter
During the winter, nothing sounds better than a nice hot shower, but that hot water only adds to dehydration of hair and skin. Instead, turn the heat down a few notches and keep showers to 5 minutes or less to keep hair and skin moisturized.
For Your Skin
Exfoliate Regularly
No matter how good your skincare routine is, it will be ineffective if you have a buildup of dry, dead skin on the surface. Using a gentle scrub or a chemical exfoliant every few days will keep skin fresh and allow your products to penetrate more effectively.
It’s All About Routine
When it comes to your skin, getting a good routine is essential – especially at night, when skincare can do most of the heavy lifting! Look for hydrating ingredients like ceramides and hyaluronic acids, which are known to lock in moisture. We love our AquaBlur® Hydrating Eye Gel & Primer because it has extra-hydrating ingredients (like hyaluronic acid, kombucha, and sea kelp), and can be used on lashes and brows, too!
Avoid Harsh Ingredients
Although retinols are often recommended in the winter due to less sun exposure, they can also be extremely drying. If you must use one, make sure to only use every few days, and ensure you use extra-hydrating products to fight dryness, cracking and peeling skin.
For Your Hair
Mask it Up
Keep hair soft and silky by using a hydrating hair mask weekly or bi-weekly. This will not only strengthen your strands, but will help them retain their moisture as well.
Try a Boar Bristle Brush
Not only will a boar bristle brush feel amazing on your scalp, it will help redistribute oils evenly to keep hair moisturized and not oily. It’s also great for circulation and can breathe new life into limp and dry hair. Brush through hair each night before you go to sleep, and feel free to add in a hair oil to the ends for an extra boost of hydration!
Stick to a Regimen
Healthy, hydrated hair starts with a good regimen – shampoo, conditioner, and treatment. We love our Volumizing Hair Collection because it provides hair with everything needed to keep your hair healthy, strong, and shiny. The Thickening Shampoo and Thickening Conditioner support optimum scalp health, nourish the cuticle and improve hair shaft thickness, while the Volume Enhancing Foam intensifies natural volume, adds body and shine, and combats breakage.
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