No more scarfs, no more thick coats and no more freezing. You can find me bundled up from head to toe in the winter and I don't mind any judgements about my look. I can’t stand being cold.

Also, winter isn’t skin or hair friendly either. The lack of humidity can dry out our skin and cause damage to our hair. If you notice your hair being rough and skin not as glowing. You’re not alone.

Here are a few ways you can protect and undo the winter damage to your hair and skin.

 

Take short showers:

I’m right there with ya, it feels great to be under a long warm shower and create different fantasies. It’s a comfortable place to just unwind and get away (sometimes overthink, ONLY somtimes). 

According to the American Academy of Dermatology, longer hot showers can dehydrate the skin even more than before. Hot water strips your skin of oil more than warm water.

 

Moisturize, Moisturize, Moisturize:

I hope you already know how important moisturizing is. I almost write it in every blog post. Even a recent flight that I took with Emirates had a slide on their screen that said “moisturize during this flight”. I completely support that message.

Moisturizing is essential. Moisturizers create a seal on your skin to prevent water from escaping. In winter due to dryness, we need more moisture. Opt for creams over lotions in the winter. They provide more moisture.

One thing to keep in mind, TIMING. You should be moisturizing right after you get out of the shower and your skin is damp. That’s when you should lock in the moisture.

 

Use gentle soap

Using hard soap can strip oil from your skin and cause dryness.

Be careful of products that contain alcohol or fragrances like deodorants or antibacterial soaps.  Instead, look for products that contain oils and fats. They’ll keep your skin moisturized for longer.

 

Eat Eggs (or apply externally)

This one’s out of the blue but eggs are packed with so much nutrition. They are great source of protein.

They can help repair dry and brittle hair. Egg yolks are rich in fatty acids which can provide moisture to the skin and egg white contain albumin, a form of protein that assists in tightening pores and remove excess oil.

 

Exfoliate with a loofah

If you’re ready to get a fresh start, it’s time to exfoliate. One of the most effective ways to fight dry skin is dry brushing.

Get a loofah type brush and brush your skin on your arms, legs and stomach in an upward direction to stimulate blood flow. Do this once a week.

You’ll notice a glow in your skin and it’ll become smoother

 

Drink more water

I know you heard it. It’s the holy grail.

Remember, each skin cell is made up of two-thirds of water and thus needs plenty of water. To replenish your skin from the inside out, try to drink more water. 

Even J-lo once praised how much she relies on water on Dr.oz once. If J-lo says it, I think I believe her.

 

These are just a few simple steps you can take to ensure that your hair and skin can regain their health after the winter damage.