Are Your Hair, Skin, and Nails Suffering from Winter Time Blues?
The low temperatures, dry air, and bone-chilling wind can really leave your hair looking lifeless, your skin dry and cracked, and your nails chipped and brittle. It’s normal at this time of year to experience dry hair, flaky, cracked, irritated skin, and brittle nails, but there are a few simple things you can do at home to ease some of these winter time woes.
- Sometimes there’s nothing you want more than to sit in a hot bath or stand in a steamy, hot shower to warm up after being out in the cold but that will really dry out your skin. Instead, try taking a warm shower and keep it to 10 minutes or less.
- Dress for the weather with hats, scarves, coats, and gloves to avoid exposure to the harsh elements.
- Stock up on things like fish, avocados, nuts, and olive oil which are packed with omega-3’s. These will help add moisture to your hair and skin.
- Also load up on vitamin C rich foods like dark leafy greens and citrus fruits. Vitamin C will help increase the production of collagen, a protein that maintains skin and other tissues.
- Drink, drink, drink water and hydrate your body!
Already suffering from dry skin or cracked lips? Here are some ways to combat these annoying cold weather problems:
Dry Skin
Immediately after showering, dry off then make sure to moisturize with a thick cream or lotion. Doing this within 3 minutes of coming out of the shower works best for locking in moisture.
Itchy, Dry Scalp
Before taking a shower, try giving yourself a scalp massage with a moisturizing oil, such as olive, almond, or peppermint. Rub the scalp and let it sit for 10 minutes before taking a warm, not hot, shower.
Chapped Lips
To gently exfoliate dry lips, take a clean toothbrush and lightly scrub off any dry areas. Then, apply a generous amount of beeswax or lip balm containing lanolin. Reapply throughout the day, as needed.
Brittle Nails
Rub your nails with a thin coat of olive oil or lotion that contains lanolin before bedtime and sleep with gloves on to lock in moisture. Coating nails with clear polish also helps add a layer of protection against the harsh winter elements.
Hair Static
When your scalp is dry, you produce fewer oils, leaving your hair full of static. To reduce static, apply a generous amount of conditioner when showering. You may also want to switch up the brush you are using. A boar bristle brush will help bring oils from your scalp down throughout your hair, which will reduce static as well.
How do you revitalize your hair, skin, and nails during the winter months? Let us know on our Facebook page!
