Winter is here, and that means chilly temperatures and dry air wreaking havoc on our hair and skin.

If you tend to suffer from dry, flaky skin, an itchy scalp, and limp locks this time of year, your cold-weather beauty routine is likely in need of some tweaking.

Just a few simple changes to your routine and the right products — and a visit or two to the best salon and spa in Henderson — can help you enjoy beautiful locks and moisturized skin all year long. Keep reading to learn the winter beauty tips you need to try this season.

Winter Skin Tips

When temperatures begin to fall outside and dry air sets in, our skin suffers. Even when you’re inside your home, the cold and dry air filtering through causes the moisture in your skin to evaporate more quickly than usual. If you spend a lot of time outdoors this time of year, the effect is even worse. This leaves your skin feeling tight and dry. Over time, this will lead to dry, flaky skin.

In fact, your skin loses a whopping 25 percent more moisture in the winter than it does the rest of the year. That moisture isn’t rapidly replaced as it is during the summer, so many of us suffer from several months of dry, chapped skin this time of year.

Making a few tweaks to your winter skincare routine can help to combat the dry, cold air, and lock in moisture to keep your skin looking and feeling great.

Avoid Stripping Your Skin of Moisture

Your beauty routine likely strips some moisture from your skin. The rest of the year, this may not be as noticeable. But in the winter, changing your routine can help you avoid losing even more moisture than you already are.

Long, hot showers are one big no-no this time of year. Lengthy exposure to hot water pulls moisture from your skin and reduces the natural oils that help lock in moisture. 

This time of year, switch to a warm, not hot, bath or shower, and limit them to 10 minutes or less. When you step out, pat your skin dry rather than rubbing it to avoid irritating your skin.

Swap Your Cleanser

While you might opt for a body wash or face wash that smells great or helps to target your oily skin the rest of the year, your skin needs a bit of extra help during the winter months.

When the weather starts to get cold, swap out your face and body cleansers for something more moisturizing. Avoid ingredients like glycolic or salicylic acid, and look for those with moisturizing properties instead. 

When washing your face, apply moisturizer as quickly as possible to avoid your skin dehydrating even more.

Don’t’ Skip the Sunscreen

If you think that you can skip your sunscreen on a cloudy or cold winter day, think again. UV rays can still damage your skin, even when you don’t feel the warmth of the sun.

Use a moisturizer with built-in sunscreen so that you’ll get double the protection without having to remember to apply sunscreen during the winter months.

Winter Hair Tips

It isn’t just your skin that suffers from dryness and flaking this time of year. Your hair and scalp are also prone to the effects of winter weather.

If you want to enjoy some beautiful holiday hairstyles and keep your locks beautiful, you need to make a few changes to your winter beauty routine to lock in moisture and prevent damage.

Use Less Shampoo

Shampoo is designed to rid your hair of oils and other debris. This is great for getting your hair clean. But it can also strip good oils from your skin. These oils help to keep your hair moisturized, shiny, healthy, and beautiful. 

To prevent stripping your hair of vital moisture this time of year, use less shampoo. If you’re able to, shampooing less frequently is a great choice. If you do need to shampoo frequently, opt for a shampoo designed for dry hair, and one that won’t weigh down your locks.

Follow up your shampoo sessions with a conditioner or leave-in conditioner. Besides moisturizing your hair, this will also help cut down on frizz this time of year.

Protect Your Hair From Heat

If you use a hairdryer, curling iron, or other heat products, you should always be protecting your hair from the heat, no matter what time of year. But when your hair is losing additional moisture during the winter months, this is even more important.

Choose a gel or spray designed to protect your type of hair from heat. For instance, a product designed for thin hair will provide the right level of protection for your locks.

Never Go Out With Damp Hair

It’s tempting to throw on a winter hat and race out of the house on a busy winter day without drying your hair first. Besides leaving you feeling chilled, though, this can also damage your hair.

When your hair is wet and cold, your hair shafts can actually expand and then contract when they are warm and dry. Over time, this can lead to breakage. If you color your hair, this can also cause your color to fade faster. While the best salon and spa in Henderson can help get your color back, don’t put your hair and color at risk. Instead, dry your hair completely before going out.

Indulge in a Scalp Treatment

To give your hair an extra healthy boost, treat yourself to a professional treatment from the best salon and spa in Henderson

A Tea Tree Scalp Treatment is a great way to relax and unwind while showing your hair and scalp some love. The treatment removes dead skin from the scalp, setting the stage for locking in moisture and getting rid of dry skin ahead of the winter season.

Schedule Your Next Visit to Prep Your Hair and Skin for Winter Weather

Mixing up your beauty routine during the winter months can help you lock in moisture and avoid dry, damaged, uncomfortable hair and skin.

To keep your locks looking and feeling beautiful all winter long, don’t forget to schedule a visit to your stylist for a trim and maybe an indulgent spa treatment. Book your next visit today and treat yourself to some relaxation this winter.