I’m a beauty expert: Here’s my top tips for looking after your hair and skin during the winter months

With a combined 2.6K monthly Google searches for “damaged hair” and “how to fix damaged hair,” it’s clear that colder temperatures have left many Brits facing haircare challenges. To help, Karen Hicks​, Marketing Manager at Capital Hair and Beauty shares her top tips for preventing hair fallout and breakage in the colder season.

“The nights are getting longer, temperatures are getting cooler, and winter is on the horizon. Despite all the joy and cosiness this season brings, there’s no doubt that your hair needs some extra TLC during this time of year.”

During the colder seasons, the dry outside air can extract moisture from your scalp, enabling hair strands to become weak and result in dry hair, breakage and increased split ends. Not only this, but a dry scalp can contribute to itchy dandruff – which is best avoided at all costs!

But rest assured, here are three easy tricks to help prevent hair and scalp damage in the cooler seasons:

Keep your hair hydrated by moisturising: a simple way to revive dry hair is to keep it moisturised! Take the time to deep condition your hair, using a leave in conditioner such as KeraCare’s Leave In Conditioner or try a hot oil massage for your scalp.

Avoid heat styling where possible: During the colder months, why not embrace your natural locks? Your hair will thank you for it in the long run. Heat styling essentially reverses all the hard work you have put into moisturising your hair, by stripping out moisture and breaking down chemical bonds – and in turn, aiding hair fallout.

Prioritise your sleep and eat healthy: The importance of a good night’s sleep alongside a healthy, vitamin rich diet cannot be stressed enough. Sleep also helps our body absorb nutrients such as biotin – a vital B vitamin needed for hair health – and without this, hair loss or thinning may be around the corner.”

Unfortunately, its not just your hair that can be damaged by icy winds and cold temperatures.

Karen has shared her top tips on adapting a skincare routine to work with the winter weather – not against it.

Lather up in hydrating products.

“The cold, harsh weather will likely result in drier skin, but all is not lost! Even for those with oily skin types, you may need to use a thicker, more hydrating formula moisturiser day-to-day. For those with dry skin, we recommend taking it “up a notch by using a hydrating cleanser. Steer away from anything foaming, as those cleansers tend to contain ingredients that strip the skin of its natural oils, leaving it feeling rough and dry.”

Tone down the toner.

“During winter, your skin barrier goes through a lot, so it’s important to protect it. Reducing your use of products like toners and exfoliators can be beneficial – these tend to be harsh and drying on the skin. Limit your usage to once or twice a week and never use a chemical exfoliation right before venturing outside into the cold, crisp air.”

Avoid steaming hot showers.

“This may not be a popular choice however, indulging in super-hot showers when your body is cold, is actually damaging your skin. Your body produces oils as a way of naturally moisturising and protecting the skin, but hot water can strip these away, leaving you feeling dry. During winter, take shorter, less hot showers and apply moisturiser immediately, to avoid any unwanted flaky skin.”