Foolproof Beauty Tips for Surviving Wicked Winter Weather

Are you plagued by dry lips and cracked skin during winter? Do you dread the harsh dry weather you know you'll have to suffer through before spring arrives? 

If you hate dealing with cracked hands, flaking skin, and sore lips, there are easy ways you can avoid the damaging effects of winter weather. 

Consider the following beauty tips for surviving winter weather:

1. Hair needs extra care during the winter months. 

Moisturize liberally to ensure your hair remains healthy and vibrant. If you find your hair plagued by static electricity after brushing, gently wipe a dryer sheet over your hair follicles to eliminate those dreaded fly-away hairs.

2. Winter is an excellent time to exfoliate your body skin. 

Skin is already dry during the colder months of the year; exfoliating dry skin helps you feel fresh and clean. Follow your exfoliation routine with an invigorating shower for maximum freshness.

3. Sun protection is crucial even during the shortest months of the year. 

You want to protect your skin from the sun's damaging rays even if you aren't out in shorts and tank tops. Check the labels on protective moisturizers to ensure the SPF rating is appropriate for winter sun.

4. Adequate water intake during winter is a must. 

Opt for ice water if you want an energy boost. As your body works to regulate its temperature after an influx of ice water, you'll feel an increased sense of vitality that won't result in an energy crash that normally comes after a caffeine intake. Your skin will feel plumper and you might even notice less flakiness in your skin as the result of adequate water intake.

Winter needn't be harsh on your skin and hair if you take extra care to maintain a beauty routine. Simple beauty tweaks can make a huge difference in how you look and feel. Will you be implementing any of these winter beauty tips to ensure you survive the coldest months of the year?

5 Winter Skincare Strategies that Are Hurting Your Skin

Wintertime presents many skincare challenges to women of all ages. If you follow a routine and haven't had any luck with it, you may be making the problems worse. Learn about the five most common skincare strategies used in the cold-weather months that actually hurt your skin.

1. Over-Washing with Moisturizing Cleanser

Moisturizing cleanser is a must-have in any cold-weather skincare regimen. However, many women assume that it is OK to wash at the same frequency as they did in spring and summer. This couldn't be further from the truth. In the winter, you should limit the amount you wash your face. Even the most moisturizing cleansers still take away your skin's natural oils which are critical for combating dry and flaky skin.

2. Using the Same Moisturizer

If you have found your go-to moisturizer for warm weather, you may be tempted to continue to use it through the cold months. Instead of doing this, use an oil-based or other type of moisturizer that is specifically designed to combat dryness and redness. Moisturizers with thicker formulas and more intensive moisturizing agents act as a protective barrier over your skin while lightweight formulas cannot hold up to the cold.

La Roche-Posay Toleriane Riche Facial Cream (Intolerant Skin to Dryness)

La Roche-Posay Toleriane Riche Facial Cream (Intolerant Skin to Dryness) is a gentle moisturizer for dry, sensitive, intolerant skin. Its rich, creamy texture provides immediate comfort. Free of fragrance, preservatives, alcohol, and parabens. Safe for sensitive skin.  

3. Exfoliating Too Often

Exfoliating is critical because it removes dead skin, revealing healthier, more youthful skin underneath. However, it should only be done one or two times a week during the winter. Over-exfoliating your skin can make it drier and tight, resulting in redness and uneven texture.

4. Using Harsh Makeup Remover

Makeup remover is a great way to avoid over-washing your face. However, many makeup removers use harsh agents that can leave your skin feeling dry. Instead, consider using a moisturizing product such as cold cream.

Clinique Take the Day Off Cleansing Balm

Clinique Take The Day Off off Cleansing Balm provides a comfortable touch to the skin with its fine texture. The creamy lotion converts into oil upon application to eliminate facial makeup. Can be used to remove full or partial makeup.

5. Skipping Night Cream

If you have a habit of forgetting to put on your night cream, your skin is missing out on much-needed hydration.  Night cream helps to restore and revitalize your skin while you sleep, so you can wake up to a more youthful-looking complexion each morning. Regenerating serums are also worth looking into if night creams aren't ideal for you.

L'Occitane Immortelle Biologique Precious Night Cream

L'Occitane Immortelle Biologique Precious Night Cream is a silky smooth cream that offers triple action to make skin firmer and reduce the appearance of wrinkles. Immortelle stimulates collagen production to fill in deep wrinkles while Achille extract accelerates skin cell renewal and reinforces the skin network for a firmer look. In just one night, skin looks incredibly younger.

Clinique Turnaround Revitalizing Serum

Clinique Turnaround Revitalizing Serum is a fast acting and high-performance serum that optimizes cell renewal to continually reveal fresher, healthier-looking skin. It instantly creates a luminous-from-within radiance, unveiling skin that is brighter, healthier, more uniform. Oil-free and suitable for all Skin types.

You can beat the cold-weather blues this year by adjusting your skincare routine to fit the climate. By following the tips provided, you can maintain healthy-looking and -feeling skin all through the winter.

7 Tips to Keep Your Hair and Skin Healthy and Beautiful This Winter

The winter season has much to offer, but when it comes to your hair and skin the coldest months of the year can be challenging. If you want to keep your skin and hair healthy when the temperature drops, try the following:

1. Utilize Coconut Oil

Coconut oil is well-known for being beneficial to skin, and it makes an excellent moisturizer. Coconut oil can be used many ways; you can add it to bath water to help soften skin that has been dried out by the cold or apply it directly to your face or body as a moisturizer.

2. Use a Humidifier

Many people associate using a humidifier with being sick, but having one in your room while you are sleeping is a valuable beauty secret during the winter. A humidifier can drastically increase the amount of moisture in the air, which can help keep your hair and skin from drying out during the cold months.

3. Don't Forget About Vitamin E

Vitamin E is one of the most important vitamins for soft, supple skin. It is especially beneficial during the winter, when your skin is ravaged by dry, frigid air. Taking a daily vitamin E supplement is highly recommended, but for maximum benefits you can also carefully open up a vitamin E capsule and then apply it to your skin and hair.

4. Pay Attention to Your Pillowcase

Most people do not realize that the type of pillowcase that they sleep on each night can affect the health of their hair. If you want to prevent your hair from drying out, consider purchasing a satin pillowcase. A cotton pillowcase can draw moisture from your hair, which no one needs during the winter, but a satin pillowcase will keep your hair shiny and healthy.

5. Always Wear Sunscreen

The sun may not feel very warm during winter, but it can still do a lot of damage to your skin. Even when it is cold outside, the harmful UVA rays are just as strong as they are at the height of summer. Your body may be wrapped up in layers to keep warm, but your face will still be exposed so always put on a sunscreen or facial moisturizer with an SPF of at least 15.

6. Treat Your Hair to a Hydrating Mask

Conditioner is not always enough to keep your hair healthy when it is freezing out. Take the time to apply a moisturizing and hydrating mask to your hair to keep it looking great. You don't have to spend a lot of money buying a hair mask, as there are a number of DIY masks that you can make with items in your kitchen. Consider an avocado and coconut milk hair mask, or try out a mixture of yogurt and papaya.

7. Adjust Your Winter Skincare Regime

As the seasons change and the temperatures shift, your skin will need special care to remain hydrated and looking its best. During the winter, it is important to focus on keeping your skin hydrated. Use facial products containing plant oils, algae extract, green tea, and crambe oil.