Winter Hair and Skin Care Tips from Head to Toe

Cold winter weather can really confuse my hair and skin! The dry air sucks every bit of moisture out of my body, leaving me with flaky and itchy skin. And don’t even get me started on my hair. I have been painstakingly growing it out for almost 2 years now, and I think winter is the worst season for split ends breakage.

For the past two years, I have been living at a high elevation in Utah, which is like a double whammy for dry skin. The air is thinner and drier here, plus being closer to the sun is worse for your skin. I have had to learn to deal with the side effects of living in this type of climate, and want to share a few of my winter hair and skin care tips with you.

I received some of the products mentioned in this blog post for free, for review purposes. However, all the opinions are 100% honest and my own, based on my personal experience with them. This blog post may contain affiliate links. 

Let’s start with Lip Care.

Chapped lips are painful and I try to avoid them at all costs. I literally stash lip balm EVERYWHERE this time of year. Every purse, every coat pocket, every bathroom, my car…I keep a lip balm within arm’s reach at all times. A good, moisturizing lip balm is key to keeping lips hydrated.

Tip: Drink plenty of fluids, especially water, to help keep your entire body hydrated. Good hydration is crucial for healthy-looking skin.

Skin Care: Face

My summer facial care routine just doesn’t cut it for the winter months. Once I notice my facial skin becoming dry and flaky, I know it’s time to change things up. I use more moisturizing cleansers and of course, a face lotion loaded with moisturizer. I combat flakiness by using a gentle skin exfoliator 2 to 3 times per week.

Lately, I have been using Yu-Be Foaming Skin Polish ($18). This Japanese formula is a gentle cleanser which exfoliates with fine grains of rice bran and walnut shell powder with bamboo. You can actually use this on both your face and body, which makes it perfect for winter skin care. I especially like using it after going to the gym because the natural skin toners (ginseng and ginger oil) plus the camphor is refreshing. You can sign up for free sample sets on their website (just pay shipping).

A natural, effective and easy way to cleanse, tone and refresh skin without overdrying is with an herbal extract called Witch Hazel. Dickinson’s Original Witch Hazel On-The-Go Towelettes are especially convenient to use at the gym and on trips. Just wipe the cleansing cloth across your face and there’s no need to rinse.

Hair Care:

I do not wash my hair every day in the winter. In fact, I wash it only 2 to 3 times per week. And when I do, I use moisture rich shampoo and conditioner. I towel dry my hair and apply a hair oil (currently using argan oil) to the ends of my hair. My favorite is Moroccan Oil Hair Treatment. It is a little pricey, so that is only an occasional treat for me. This is the brand my local salon uses, my stylist introduced me to it.

Skin Care: Body

In winter, I either have to find a SUPER RICH lotion or use a body oil instead of lotion. Winter is a great time to switch to body oil because your skin is so thirsty for the added moisture, plus oil can lock in moisture so you skin does not dry out. Natural oils like coconut oil are easy to find at most grocery stores, absorb quickly and do not stain clothing. I use the coconut oil from my pantry!

A rich, healthy body butter in a tube from LaVanila Laboratories ($19) is a convenient way to moisturize on the go. I like to keep it in my purse so it’s available whenever my hands get that dry, itchy feeling. It contains 100% natural ingredients including a dose of 30 essential vitamins and minerals. The Vanilla Grapefruit is the one I have been using lately but there are a ton of other luscious-sounding scent combinations.

What I’m currently using to exfoliate and moisturize: Rituals Laughing Buddha Body Scrub ($29). This has got to be one of the best sugar scrubs I have ever used. True Story: My husband loves body scrubs, so I put this in the shower for him and told him to try it. He was amazed at how soft it made his skin feel. Laughing Buddha is made with organic sugar and several oils that will leave even the driest skin feeling nourished.

Both my husband and I are big fans of the Sweet Orange and Cedar Wood scent. I think it’s the perfect unisex fragrance. Laughing Buddha Body Scrub is a lux treat for your skin – I’d recommend using 2 to 3 times per week. Although I am tempted to use it everyday because it makes my skin feel SO GOOD.

Make-up

My winter make-up is different from my summer make-up, and not just colorwise. I use all creamy make-up in winter (cream eye shadow, cream blush, etc.) because powder formulas just tend to make my skin look dry.

What I’m currently using: Pur Minerals Air Perfection Cushion Foundation ($30). I got a sample of this new Pur Minerals product, and loved it so much I have already bought it again! It’s a really different way of applying liquid foundation. Inside the compact is a liquid cushion, and you press a makeup applicator sponge into the cushion so you can then apply the foundation to your face.

It is a lightweight formula that gives me a light/medium coverage. It’s really easy to blend onto my skin and covers flaws. Plus, the makeup contains anti aging antioxidants and vitamins that are good for my skin. The Air Perfection Cushion Foundation is one of my favorite makeup discoveries of the year! I am definitely a fan.

Hair, Skin and Nails Supplements

Nature’s Bounty has a Hair, Skin & Nails multivitamin just for women. It contains vitamins and nutrients to support healthy hair, skin and nails: Biotin, Argan oil containing essential fatty acids and Vitamin E, hyaluronic acid, along with antioxidant Vitamins A, B and C.

I’m currently taking the #NaturesBountyBeauty 30 Day Challenge to see if I notice a difference in my hair, skin and nails. Anyone can sign up to take the challenge – and if you are not satisfied with the results, you’ll get your money back. These are small, easy-to-swallow coated pills – but there is a gummy version, too! You can buy this at grocery stores, drug stores and mass retailers nationwide. It’s also available online at Amazon.

And finally, to the sole of it all: Dry, Cracked Heels and Feet.

Don’t forget to take care of your feet during winter. It’s easy to neglect them since we’re not wearing sandals and flip-flops anymore. But cracked heels and rough callouses can develop if you don’t pay attention. I hate hate hate to wear socks to bed (it just bugs me to feel them on my feet), BUT if my heels start to crack, the miracle treatment for them is to 1) exfoliate with a scrub 2) apply a super thick layer of body butter and 3) immediately put on socks. Do this overnight treatment and your dry, cracked feet will heal quickly.

How do you take care of your hair and skin during harsh winter months? What are some of your favorite hair and skin care products to use this time of year? Share your tips in the comments below. 

If you want to try luxury hair and skin care products for a fraction of the price, I recommend treating yourself to a GLOSSYBOX subscription. I have been getting them for almost a year now — and have never had a monthly box where I felt disappointed. The boxes contain 5 products, quite often full-sized products, and the value of the products always exceeds the $21 per month price tag.

Although you can subscribe month by month, the best value is to get a 12 month subscription for $220. Shipping costs are included in all subscriptions.