As winter comes around, we always prepare by updating our wardrobe–coats, hats, gloves, and anything else that will keep us warm during this cold and snowy season. However, many of us forget that our skin and hair care routine will need some updating as well. This season is known for causing dry skin, flaky scalps, and chapped lips. Fortunately, there is a solution to all these pesky problems. 

Dry skin

The cold irritates your face leading to dry, flaky skin. It’s best to use a moisturizer that not only draws moisture to your skin from the environment, but conceals it throughout the day. It is also helpful to use moisturizers with less alcohol and fragrances to allow your skin to retain its natural oils. Despite the fact that the sun is not out on most winter days, it is still important to where moisturizers with SPF even when it snows. This is because the sun’s rays reflect off the snow and cause damage to the skin.

Flaky scalp

The cold weather makes your scalp produce more oils to adapt to the dry environment. This means it’s best to avoid long periods of not washing your hair or using dry shampoo because the extra oils combined with dead skin cells result in small, white flakes. During the winter, it is best to wash your hair at least three times a week, and if you’re still seeing flakes when your brush your hair, try an anti-dandruff shampoo. 

Chapped lips 

During the winter, the air does not have as much moisture in it. This leads to your lips drying out much faster. The best way to combat this is by applying lip balm and exfoliating the lips once a week. By combining some natural honey and brown sugar, and gently rubbing it on your lips, the flakes will be gone leaving you with soft, hydrated lips. Once the flakes are gone, you need to keep the lips nourished throughout the day. You can try chapsticks with natural ingredients or even medicated ones if your lips get seriously dry. Applying a thicker lip balm at night will prevent heat from sucking the moisture from your lips.