By Kimber Badertscher, Assistant Grocery Manager, Co-op Owner
The long, dark winter months can wreak havoc on your skin and hair. Colder temperatures and drier air make you want to turn up the thermostat to increase the indoor temperature. Unfortunately, all this dry warmer air can cause your hair and skin to become dry and irritated. Our skin is made up of 64% water and is our largest organ. Maintaining its health directly impacts our overall health and well-being as it creates a barrier for bacteria, viruses, and harmful chemicals. If your skin gets too dry or irritated, it can get cracked which creates an access point for these potential illness-causing factors. Our hair is also impacted during the winter and can become dry, brittle, and staticky. Here are some simple things you can do to help maintain hair and skin health during the winter.
Invest in a humidifier. Humidifiers add moisture back into the air in your home. Having a higher humidity in your home will help keep your skin and hair hydrated. It can be especially beneficial to have a humidifier by your bed so that you can get good and hydrated overnight while you sleep.
Wear sunscreen. Sunscreen is not just for summertime. Sunscreen should be worn all year to prevent damage to your skin from the sun. The reflection of the sun off snow can even increase your risk of sunburn in the winter.
Wash your hair less. Washing your hair with shampoo strips healthy oils from your hair and can make it dry. In the winter months, this can be even more noticeable. Everyone has different hair, but the less you can wash your hair the better it will be for your hair health in the winter.
Moisturize often. Moisturizing your skin and hair can help counteract all the dryness during the winter. It is optimal to apply lotion to your skin while it is still damp from bathing. You can also use leave-in conditioners for your hair to help keep it soft and static-free.
Stay Hydrated. Make sure to drink plenty of fluids during the winter just as you would in the summer. Studies have shown that keeping yourself hydrated can help keep your skin hydrated as well. If cold water does not sound appealing to you in the winter try drinking your water at room temperature or even hot with lemon.