An itchy scalp, scaly skin, and chapped lips … we all know that comfy sweaters and snow days come with a hefty price. Winter was a beauty disaster for most of my life: my foundation applied unevenly to dry skin, my cuticles split, and I was always checking my scalp for dandruff. But as it turns out, my winter beauty routine was just wrong all along!
After lots of research and trial and error, I’ve finally saved myself from another disastrous winter. If you’re suffering from flaky skin and painfully chapped lips, read on for my guide to improving your winter beauty routine.
Rejuvenate Your Face
Dry skin on your face is painful, impossible to hide, and can seriously interfere with your makeup game. That’s why you need to double down on your skincare routine during the colder months.
One of the best ways to combat dryness is to exfoliate (but not too often!). Exfoliating is essential for avoiding a build-up of dead skin cells, which cause the dreaded dull and rough skin brought on by winter. But be careful to only exfoliate 2-3 times a week — exfoliating too often can damage your skin’s protective outer layer and increase dryness and redness.
Vitamin C serum is another effective way to repair, strengthen, and brighten your skin during the winter. Make sure to apply your toner first, then your serums, and finally your moisturizer. Layering products like this is a fantastic way to prevent dryness. And don’t forget to apply the products to your neck — it needs some love too!
As counterintuitive as it may seem, you need to apply sunscreen every day — even in the winter. The sun dries out and damages your skin regardless of the temperature. Protecting it with some SPF will make a huge difference!
And of course, a good moisturizer is essential for keeping your skin hydrated. During the winter, I try to moisturize at least twice a day while my skin is still damp from washing my face to optimize hydration. It’s important to note that you may need to apply more moisturizer in the winter than during the summer months. If my skin feels especially dry, I’ll sleep in a hydrating overnight face mask.
Cure Those Chapped Lips
For the first time in my life, I’ve survived the winter without chapped lips, and it feels incredible. I apply the Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask every night before bed, and it hydrates my lips so well that I don’t even feel the need to put on chapstick during the day. The best part about this product is that it’s completely sheer, so you can wear a thin layer of it during the day, and it’ll look just like lipgloss. You can buy this life-changing mask at Sephora.
I also try to use a lip exfoliator a couple of times a week — especially if I’m going to be wearing lipstick.
Show Your Body Some Love
Just like your face, it’s essential to exfoliate your body. Still, it’s vital not to over do it, so try only to exfoliate 2-3 times a week. I like to use a loofah to wash and lightly exfoliate my body. But loofahs can harbor mold, germs, dirt, dead skin cells, and bacteria, so make sure to replace them every two months.
Moisturizing is so important — especially during the winter. Try to apply your lotion as soon as you get out of the shower for optimum hydration.
Take Care of Your Hair
Between frizziness, dandruff, and hat hair, winter is a nightmare for my scalp. Every winter, I switch from my regular shampoo to a tea tree shampoo, but you can also just add tea tree oil into your hair care routine. Tea tree oil moisturizes and soothes the scalp, clears blocked pores, and is antifungal, making it a fantastic treatment for dryness.
I also use a hair mask at least once a week during the colder months. Hair masks are a great way to protect your hair from environmental damage, prevent split ends, control frizz, and repair your locks. Look out for masks that will also hydrate your scalp and prevent dandruff!
Finally, avoid blow-drying or using hot tools on your hair. Flat irons, curling wands, and blow dryers remove your hair’s natural moisture and exacerbate winter frizziness.