The first harbinger of winter isn’t necessarily snow.
Other times, it’s the instant you wash your hands and think little of how tight they feel afterwards. Or when you’re brushing your hair and static electricity makes it stand to attention as if it’s sentient. Perhaps it’s the flaky scalp that seems to arrive out of nowhere, despite the fact that you haven’t swapped your shampoo. Or the out-of-nowhere demand for lip balm every 10 minutes, as if your lips were subtly getting on board with a protest of this time of year.
Winter always has a little bit of an ambush quality to it. One day you have lit-from-within skin and your hair is behaving. The next, your face feels parched by 11 a.m., your hands are crusty from the desert you’ve put them through and your hair is splitting in directions that remind you of none that happened in the summer’s months.
The fact is, winter doesn’t only transform the weather—it changes your body’s environment. And if you don’t alter your self-care routine, it’s often your skin and hair that suffer.
The good news? You don’t need fancy treatments or complex beauty regimens. With a few savvy tweaks, winter can be a season of coziness and comfort rather than a depressing battle with dryness and irritation.
Why Winter Is Brutal to Your Skin: The Science Made Simple
The air is less saturated with moisture in winter. Which means the humidity plummets, and your skin loses moisture even faster than it does normally. Throw indoor heating systems into the mix and it is made worse—because any kind of heating system will dry out the air even more.
Inside your skin there is a protective layer known as the skin barrier that works as a shield. It assists your skin in holding on to moisture and shielding itself from irritants. In cold months, that barrier becomes more compromised when the skin is continually losing water.
Winter Skin Problems Are Extremely Common — That’s because:
- dryness and rough texture
- redness and sensitivity
- irritation or itching
- cracked hands and heels
- eczema flare-ups in some people
Your skin is not “bad” in the winter. It simply needs more support, that’s all!
Why Your Hair and Scalp Suffer in Winter
Your hair has a rough time in the winter for the same reason your skin does: dryness.
Cold air and low humidity draw moisture out of your scalp and off the strands. Then the indoor heat dehydrates them even more. Your scalp might get itchy, flaky or irritated and your hair may feel dry or naughty.
Winter hair problems often include:
- one that causes a dry scalp that appears like dandruff.
- increased breakage
- static hair
- dullness and split ends
- hair feeling “flat” or lifeless
A lot of people think they need a stronger shampoo, but the problem is often moisture imbalance, not dirty hair.
Small Winter Skincare Changes That Make A Difference
The ideal winter skincare routine isn’t convoluted. It’s consistent.
Switch to a gentle cleanser
During winter, you might find that aggressive foaming cleansers leave your skin stripped. That “squeaky clean” sensation may feel good, but it typically leaves skin both tight and prone to damage.
Look for cleansers that say:
- hydrating
- gentle
- fragrance-free (especially if you’re sensitive)
Moisturize immediately after washing
Timing matters. Your skin loses moisture rapidly if you wait too long after showering, or washing your face. Applying moisturizer when your skin is still faintly damp helps to seal in that moisture.
Use thicker moisturizers
Lotions are good in the summer, but winter tends to demand something more luxurious.
Ingredients that help:
- ceramides (repair the skin barrier)
- hyaluronic acid (retains moisture on skin)
- glycerin (hydration support)
- shea butter (deep moisturizing)
Don’t skip sunscreen
Many people forget this, but even without the sun, UV rays impact your skin in winter. And if you’re around snow, sunlight bounces off the snow and increases exposure.
Well, even in the cold weather, sunscreen is part of wellness.
Winter Hair Care: A Routine That Protects Without Overdoing It
In general, winter hair care is about maximizing moisture while minimizing damage.
Shampoo hair less often (if at all possible)
If you wash every day, you may be stripping oils your scalp needs to stay healthy. Even going every other day is good.
Use scalp-friendly shampoo
Try to skip shampoos that are too stripping with aggressive detergent. If you scalp is flaky, it doesn’t necessarily crave “anti-dandruff” formulas—sometimes it’s asking for hydration.
Deep condition weekly
Once a week, use a hair mask to restore softness. Focus on mid-length and ends.
Protect your ends
Winter air makes ends brittle. Getting regular trims helps, but so does using a leave-in conditioner or lightweight oil.
Reduce heat styling
You know that heat-styling tools, like hair dryers, flat irons and curling irons, can cause damage year round — in the winter they can make breakage even more obvious. If using heat, apply a heat protectant.
- How Beanies can help to protect your hair and skin in the winter
- Winter is brutal not just for temperature, but also because of wind.
The wind is extremely drying, especially on the scalp and hairline. It’s part of the increased scrutiny why doing something as simple as covering up your head can be a surprisingly generous act in the repertoire of winter self-care. A good beanie helps protect:
- the scalp the cold of the air.
- the hair from drying winds
- the ears from irritation
- the head from rapid heat loss
But here’s the thing that most people overlook: All hats are not created equal.
The close-to-head hats can result in hair to break down around the edge of the hat if it is tight. Hats of rough material can chafe the scalp. And non-breathable hats can cause sweat to pool, which might exacerbate scalp irritation.
That’s why uncontrived fabric matters. Lots of us are fans of the soft, breathable knit beanies that won’t hurt after prolonged wear. I met a woman who shopped at outdoor winter markets often and swore by rotating beanies from 4inbandana because she wanted warm headwear that didn’t feel scratchy or constricting during long hours spent outside.
The key takeaway isn’t about brands — it’s about selecting headwear that’s actually going to protect you without causing new problems.
And another piece of practical advice: wash your beanie with some regularity. A daily worn hat will gather sweat, oils and dust. Being nimble in running water directly through the hair can avoid scalp irritation.
Hydration and Nutrition: Winter Beauty Starts From Within
Winter wellness has as much to do with what you spread on your skin as it does with what you put in your body.
Cold temperatures trick people into drinking less water because they feel less thirsty. But your skin and hair still need moisturizing.
These Are Some of The Foods For Healthy Skin and Hair
Some of the foods that contribute to healthy skin and hair are:
Healthy fats are those high in omega-3 fatty acids (such as salmon, flaxseed and walnuts).
- vitamin E (almonds, sunflower seeds)
- zinc (pumpkin seeds, legumes)
- biotin-rich foods (eggs, nuts)
- 1-2 cups of leafy greens (supports healthy skin overall)
Healthy fats matter. They work to help protect your skin barrier and reduce inner dryness.
Mistakes According to Heintz, These Are the Basic Winter Fails That You”re Making:
Even those with excellent routines find a way to do something wrong in winter without realizing it.
Taking long hot showers
They’re amazing — but hot water leaches natural oils from skin.
Skipping moisturizer
A single day can also worsen winter dryness.
Over-exfoliating
Dead skin doesn’t always mean dry skin. Sometimes it’s just dehydrated.
Wearing unwashed hats
This can lead to itching and inflammation of the scalp.
Forgetting lips and hands
Hands and lips take the brunt of winter and require daily attention.
Other Acts of Self-Care to Get Through the Winter
Winter is a good time to establish habits that are both snug and salubrious:
- use a humidifier at night
- apply hand cream before bed
- carry lip balm with you and leave in your car
- lightly massage the scalp for circulation
- focus on sleep (your skin repairs itself while you sleep)
Sometimes self-care isn’t about “beauty.” It’s about feeling comfortable and feeling good in your body.”
Bottom line: Winter is beautiful — if you know how to dress for it According to the National Weather Service, early February can be a trying humdinger here in the East, so while dressing warmly goes a long way toward my enjoyment of winter weather (and I did not want for warmth while wearing that hooded parka), this Native New Englander wouldn’t advise anyone from away out in it without some thoughtful layering.
Irritated skin and unmanageable hair don’t have to be the norm in winter.
With a few minor adjustments — gentler cleansing, added moisture, better hair care, more hydration and protective headwear — you can coast through winter feeling comfortable, confident and cared for.
Because winter wellness doesn’t have to be perfect.
It’s about listening to what your body is rather than our brain thinks it’s asking for — and responding with kindness.
And honestly? That is the most gorgeous version of self-care that exists.
