10 Quick Tips to Hydrate Hair & Skin for 6 More Weeks of Winter
Combat winter's havoc on your hair & skin. Stay hydrated with our top tips. Embrace natural moisturizers & change daily habits for healthful, glowing skin and hair.
Medically reviewed by Dr. Nikki D. Hill, MD, FAAD. Last updated: October 2026.
Wishing Phil hadn’t seen his shadow this year. Our dry hair and skin are ready for a little more warmth and moisture.
Hair and skin become dry as humidity in the air drops with cool outdoor temperatures and use of heating systems indoors. Think about the cold winds blowing through your hair and against your face as you walk through the cold to your car, to class, or into work. This is then often immediately followed by a blast of blowing heat in the car or warm dry air once you get to your destination. Drastic temperature changes and air blowing directly on our skin are quick ways to dry us out.
If you’ve noticed dehydrated skin, an itchy scalp, more brittle hair, or skin and scalp sensitivity during these colder months, try the following tips.
- Drink extra water to hydrate from the inside-out. Other organs in need of water get priority over your skin, so you’ll need to drink plenty to see your skin gets a fair share.
- Exfoliate weekly to get rid of dead skin cells.
- Use warm not hot water then blot skin dry to leave some moisture on the skin after showers.
- Moisturize immediately after to lock the water into surface cells choosing shea butters or coconut oils to moisturize the body naturally and effectively.
- A separate SPF in your regimen in addition to facial moisturizer may add an extra layer of hydration to dry skin.
- Opt for moisturizers with oil in the first 5 ingredients as oil can help trap in moisture. This would typically be the case for lotions and creams and not so much for gel products.
- Wash your hair less often, and consider a deep conditioning treatment to restore moisture.
- Use natural and gentle skin products to help leave protective oils on hair and skin. Surfactants and more aggressive cleansers can be too harsh, drying out the skin even further.
- Change your car settings to blow heat at your feet and not directly at your face.
- Add moisture indoors with a humidifier.
Winter is not the only cause for these conditions, however. Persistent dry, itchy patches can also signal eczema, which a dermatologist can diagnose and treat.
Questions about your skin care routine? Schedule a visit at SOCAH Center in Atlanta, GA, or call (404) 474-2301.
