Winter beauty tips and tricks: How to protect your skin and hair from the cold weather!

Zee Media Bureau

New Delhi: It's natural! Cold winter air can take a toll on your skin and hair. The shift from warm weather to cooler temperatures can change your once luscious skin and hair to dry out, leading to dull skin and an itchy scalp.

But, you don't have to freak out. There's plenty you can to do to insulate yourself from the drying climate. One of the most important steps is to upgrade your beauty routine with ingredients that protect skin and hair from the cold and combat the damage caused by harsh weather conditions.

Here are a few winter beauty tips to keep redness, irritation and taut, dry sensations at bay:

Skin care regimen -Nourish, hydrate and brighten skin!

Cold and wind are skin’s worst enemies, drying it out very quickly in the winter months, especially for those with sensitive skin. This can lead to tautness, redness, spots and dull complexions. To help counteract the effects of winter weather, it’s important to nourish skin with richer creams, serums and hydrating masks.

Still, don’t forget to exfoliate once a week to slough off dead skin cells and brighten the complexion. Plant-based oils (preferably pure and organic) offer an alternative to creams. Look for sweet almond, avocado, jojoba and apricot kernel oils, which have nourishing, hydrating and protective properties.

Hair care routine - Revitalize hair!

All the effects endured by skin are also felt by hair. Becoming drier, more prone to breakages and losing shine, it’s safe to say that hair isn’t a fan of the winter season. Just like skin, hair needs to be nourished to bring back shine and strength.

Try adapting your beauty routine for a few months to include a pre-shampoo conditioner or treatment, and use an ultra-hydrating hair mask on lengths and tips. A dry oil or a specially designed cream, applied to dry or towel-dry hair, will also help keep your mane looking glossy and combat dehydration.

More simple tips for protecting hair this winter: use specific protective products before blow-drying, don’t wash hair too frequently, avoid going outdoors with wet hair.

Don’t forget lips and hands!

Hands are obviously particularly exposed to damage from cold winter weather. It’s wise to take good care of hands in periods of cold weather to avoid developing unpleasant alligator-like skin.

Many brands’ ranges include specially tailored creams to nourish, hydrate, repair and protect hands. Also, look for two-in-one products designed for hands and nails, which can also suffer in cold weather.

Follow the above tips to help you get through cold snaps in comfort, and the best time to start is now!

(With Agency inputs)