When heating is turned on and it gets colder outside, humidity in the house drops to 20–30%. For comparison, this climate is found in the desert. It’s no wonder that there is a feeling of tightness in the skin, and hair becomes static and brittle. A trichologist and cosmetologist from "TCH" shared simple working tips on how to survive winter without compromising beauty.
What Happens to the Skin in the Fall-Winter Season and How to Protect It
In heated rooms, the skin's protective hydrolipid barrier is disrupted, and the scales of the hair cuticle become frayed. Interestingly, the frost outside is often less aggressive, and the natural humidity in the air is higher than in an apartment.
What to Do?
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Cleanse the skin gently. Replace sulfate foams and alcohol-based toners with soft milk or cleansing cream. Wash your face with cool water to avoid over-drying the skin.
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"Seal in" moisture. Apply cream on slightly damp skin after washing — this locks moisture inside. Look for ingredients like hyaluronic acid, ceramides, or natural oils.
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Don’t forget about SPF. Ultraviolet rays are active even in winter. Use a cream with SPF 15–30, especially if you work by a window or are often outdoors.
How a Hair Dryer Dries and Saves Hair at the Same Time
Hair care during the heating season also needs adjustment. For example, dry your hair faster and don’t neglect masks. It also wouldn’t hurt to:
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Buy sulfate-free shampoo. Use warm water, and after washing, apply a mask or conditioner throughout the length of your hair or just on the ends.
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Apply protection before styling. On dry ends — a few drops of argan or coconut oil.
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Dry your hair with a hair dryer. Many believe that air drying is healthier than using a dryer. But this is not the case. While hair dries slowly, it loses a significant amount of moisture. Gently dry your hair with an ionizing hair dryer, using a comfortable warm or cool setting.
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Wear a hat with a lining. Under a synthetic hat — a silk or satin lining. This will reduce friction, prevent static, and help maintain your hairstyle.
Why You Should Replace a Bath with a Shower
The skin on the body suffers just as much as the face. Dry air and temperature fluctuations provoke itching, irritation, and flaking.
Take a short warm shower, no longer than 10–15 minutes. Avoid long hot baths.
Moisturize your skin immediately after the shower: apply milk, body cream with shea butter or coconut oil, or with urea.
What to Do If You Don’t Have a Humidifier at Home
Without normalizing the microclimate, any cosmetics will only work halfway. Dry air nullifies all efforts to moisturize from the outside. A humidifier is your main winter beauty tool.
Choose a model suitable for the size of your room. Ultrasonic models are quiet but require distilled water, while traditional ones are easier to maintain.
If you don’t have a humidifier:
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Place wide containers of water on windowsills;
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Hang damp terry towels on radiators;
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Regularly ventilate rooms for 5–10 minutes.
