Let’s face it, life is never simple. By the time you’ve finally concocted the perfect hair and skin care routine for the summer, August melts into October and before you know it those perfect beachy waves and light natural skincare are, well, so last season.
Of course essentials like SPF and a solid conditioner are necessary all year round, but some products are simply made for the fall and winter. Paying attention to the change in temperature will help your skin and hair make that transition from hot and humid to cool and dry.
How does the weather impact my skin?
Colder weather makes skin dry, flakey and irritated, and wind just perpetuates the flakiness. The weather alone though isn’t the only thing that makes people’s skin worsen when it starts to get cold out. Unfortunately, winter comfort foods like mac and cheese, cinnamon rolls and all of the other good things in life can be “upsetting your hormonal balance and could also lead to acne or poor skin quality,” according to Dermcare.
However, do not be discouraged from having all of your favorite fall foods and going for strolls around campus. Making slight adjustments to a general skincare routine can help!
Swap this for that
Leave behind light moisturizers and start using thicker creams, especially before going to bed. In the summer it’s easy to let the sun soak up excess oil and serve as a regulator for the oil residue on our skin. In the colder seasons it’s necessary to compensate for the change by adding more moisture to your routine.
Pucker up
Incorporating a lip protectant or jelly to prevent the weather from sucking the moisture out of your skin is crucial! There aren’t always cheap solutions for skincare, but when it comes to lips just about anything will do. A simple petroleum like vaseline will do the trick, but if you’re looking to treat yourself then consider the Laneige sleeping mask to keep your lips feeling moisturized.
Get hip to Vitamin C
Vitamin C can augment the lack of sunshine that happens during the winter months. According to Healthline, Vitamin C prevents melanin production which can help fade dark spots and hyperpigmentation, thus brightening your complexion. Incorporating it into your skin care routine may also help brighten your skin’s appearance, making you glowy all year round. Vitamin C is found in a lot of skin serums, like the Glossier Super Glow face serum, which are a great idea to keep your skin from getting dull.
Does the weather really affect my hair?
Wind can easily strip hair of its moisture retention, resulting in dry and brittle hair. On top of the changing climate, per usual, human err plays quite the role in the way the changing of the seasons affects hair. Excessive use of heat, change in diet, lack of maintenance — from being away from the salons we know and love at home — and a host of other bad habits tend to result in the degradation of hair quality. But by taking control back from the elements you can keep you hair shiny and healthy all year round.
A new kind of oil
Macadamia Oil is lightweight and inexpensive, and it also encourages hair growth and tames frizz like magic. There are several products that have macadamia oil in their ingredients, such as this option from The Ordinary. While these will still work wonders for frizzy hair, using the oil straight up is a safe option too.
If you can’t avoid direct heat…
Natural hair is beautiful hair, but it’s not always easy to maintain without using direct heat — especially if it’s too cold to let your hair air dry in the sun. While the best advice the VALLEY can give is to decrease the amount of direct heat on your hair, it’s not that easy. If direct heat is a necessary step in getting ready, use argan oil as a hair serum before direct application.
Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate.
Hair health is a great reflection of physical health: when the body lacks nutrients, hair will shed and shine will fade. By keeping yourself hydrated your hair will have more energy to grow and stay strong. Just like a plant!
Overall, fall and winter are looking cloudy with a high chance of oil and deep conditioning. The best way to protect yourself from the change of the seasons is by keeping a constant flow of hydration, oils and nutrients in your routine.
What skin or hair care products do you include in your fall or winter routines? Tweet us @VALLEYMag and tell us your recommendations for keeping your skin and hair feeling strong and healthy through all seasons.
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