10 Cold-Weather Beauty and Grooming Tips for All

Relaxing in a steamy tub or toasty shower is a spa-like cold-weather perk. Though dermatologists suggest brief bathing and lukewarm water who honestly does that? A more realistic way to counteract the drying effects of hot water is to use a hydrating body-wash like Olay Ultra Moisture Shea Butter Body Wash with pump ($9, target.com) and Dove Sensitive Skin Hypoallergenic and Sulfate-Free Body Wash ($10, target.com), or soak in a skin smoothing oil like L’Occitane Almond Shower Oil ($25, ulta.com). But there’s a catch. Always apply moisturizer immediately to damp, freshly washed skin so any creams, lotions or oils you apply next are readily absorbed. If you wait 10 minutes, you’ve missed the benefit window.

5. Try a humidifier at night or when working from home

(Left to right) Hey Dewy Wireless Facial Humidifier; Pure Enrichment MistAire Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifier; Mario Badescu Facial Spray With Aloe, Herbs and Rosewater

Amazon (2); Ulta Beauty

Humidifiers add moisture to the air and can be an efficient ally for counteracting dry and dehydrated skin and brittle hair. While they’ve picked up a bad rep for growing harmful mold and bacteria, that can easily be solved with regular cleanings with soap and water or white vinegar and daily replacement of water (stagnant water is a source of contamination). New high-tech models like the Pure Enrichment MistAire Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifier ($40, amazon.com) or portable mini-size Hey Dewy Wireless Facial Humidifier ($70, amazon.com) are cold- rather than warm-air misters, easier to use and clean and they are quiet so you can snooze or work in peace. DIY spray mists like the Mario Badescu Facial Spray With Aloe, Herbs and Rosewater ($12, ulta.com) are a simple water-boosting option, too. Stick to hydrating formulas with soothers like aloe and glycerin since some others are setting sprays or designed for acne-prone skin. The big must-do? Spray away, but lock in the moisture with a layer of moisturizer.

6. Scratch itchy sweater skin

Banana Republic True Hues V-Neck Camisole (left); First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream (top middle); CeraVe Eczema Relief Creamy Oil (bottom middle); Mangopop Women’s Crew Neck Bodysuit in B Long Sleeve Black (right)

Banana Republic; Ulta Beauty (2); Amazon

Even the thought of itchy scarves and sweaters makes our skin crawl. Though the usual suspects are dyes or cleaning products, don’t rule out soft synthetic blends of acrylic or rayon or even fine merino wool or cashmere. It depends on the fibers and your sensitivity level. Layer a skin-tone camisole like the Banana Republic True Hues V-Neck Camisole ($10, bananarepublic.gap.com), which comes in 11 shades, under V-necks, fine-gauge knits and pale sweaters; slide a bodysuit like the Mangopop Women’s Crew Neck Bodysuit in B Long Sleeve Black ($19, amazon.com) under thicker, chunkier ones. And a final solution? Treat sensitive skin bothered by sweater-induced flares (including eczema, rosacea and psoriasis) to soothing creams with colloidal oatmeal like First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream ($38, ulta.com) or CeraVe Eczema Relief Creamy Oil ($19, ulta.com) to relieve the itch and redness ASAP.

7. Add some healthy oils inside and out

(Left to right) Burt’s Bees Complete Nourishment Facial Oil; Pacifica Vegan Ceramide Facial Oil; SheaMoisture 100% Virgin Coconut Oil Daily Hydration Body Oil; Fekkai Shea Butter Intense Oil Face + Body

Target (2); Ulta Beauty (2)

Some of us are fat- and breakout-conscious and tend to avoid oils. But they’re just what we need for radiant skin and glossy hair. Add some omega-3-rich walnuts, avocados and good old olive oil to your diet and give body, hair and face oils a try, too. Surprisingly non-greasy they work into everyday routines and restore a healthy glow. Try patting a face oil like Burt’s Bees Complete Nourishment Facial Oil ($22, target.com) or Pacifica Vegan Ceramide Facial Oil ($15, target.com) over moisturizer on extra-dry spots or overnight as a stand-alone; treat post-bathing skin with an oil like SheaMoisture 100% Virgin Coconut Oil Daily Hydration Body Oil ($12, ulta.com) or use an oil like Fekkai Shea Butter Intense Oil Face + Body ($28, ulta.com) on crusty elbows, knees and flaky shins, and on frazzled hair and split ends to restore a smooth silky finish.

8. Try two-step hand and lip care

We still need a daily lip balm and a hand sanitizer/hand-washing routine but intensify the results by doubling up on products. Treat your kisser with a protective SPF 30 lip balm outdoors and a healing ointment indoors so the nourishing oils, vitamin E, shea butter or petrolatum (depending on the formula) can tackle cracks, chapping and severe dryness. Try an affordable duo like Sun Bum Mineral Sunscreen Lip Balm SPF 30 ($4, ulta.com) and Lano Coconutter 101 Ointment Multi-Balm ($14, ulta.com). For hands, again, try a non-greasy indoors formula like Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hand Gel Cream ($7, ulta.com) so can use your cell or work on your laptop without smears, and switch to a more deeply emollient night cream like Eczema Honey Oatmeal Hand Cream ($25, ulta.com) or Jergens Ultra Healing Hand & Body Cream Unscented ($9, walgreens.com) to soothe and treat itchy, cracked, reddened paws. And, yes, any creams that specify eczema work for all.

9. Pamper your feet

(Left to right) Gold Bond Ultimate Softening Foot Cream; Vaseline Deep Moisture Vitamin E Petroleum Jelly Cream; Aquaphor Healing Ointment; A New Day Women’s Ombre Cozy Low Cut Socks in Pink/Burgundy ($3, target.com)

Target (4)

We know insulated boots help us avoid frostbite and rubber treads minimize slips but bet you didn’t know foot fungus and blisters (those summer concerns) also thrive in winter. Even the coziest shearling boots can rub in all the wrong spots if they are badly fitting or too tight, and fungus loves warm, damp environments like tootsies sweating in thick socks and insulated boots. And how about cracked heels or yellowed toenails from constant coats of dark polish? Three things belong on your to-do list: Replace any boots that are cramming your bunions, corns and hammertoes and causing heel discomfort; remove wet socks and shoes ASAP, even those labeled waterproof; and take a polish break till spring. Then pamper callused feet and heels with an overnight DIY mask. Just slather clean feet with any heavy balm or ointment, like Gold Bond Ultimate Softening Foot Cream ($6, target.com), Vaseline Deep Moisture Vitamin E Petroleum Jelly Cream ($4, target.com) or Aquaphor Healing Ointment ($12, target.com), wrap them in plastic wrap and slip into a pair of soft, clean socks so they can bake till morning.

10. Continue to make sunscreen a priority

(Left to right) Aveeno Protect + Hydrate Face Sunscreen SPF 50; Hawaiian Tropic Silk Hydration Weightless Face Sunscreen; Saie Slip Tint Dewy Tinted Moisturizer SPF 35 Sunscreen

Walgreens; Target; Sephora

When the temperature drops, some of us skip the sunscreen. I know you’ve heard this before from me, but UV damage is a cumulative 365-days-a-year deal, not a summer fling. Whether you’re running errands, driving or sitting in front of a window to read, it all adds up to sun damage and even skin cancer. Do your face a favor and choose sunscreens that are hydrating enough for mature skin, like Aveeno Protect + Hydrate Face Sunscreen SPF 50 ($12, walgreens.com) or Hawaiian Tropic Silk Hydration Weightless Face Sunscreen ($11, target.com). You can also rely on a dual high-SPF tinted moisturizer like Saie Slip Tint Dewy Tinted Moisturizer SPF 35 Sunscreen ($32, sephora.com) for makeup with built-in protection since all a touchup requires is another swipe of makeup or a topcoat of sunscreen.

Lois Joy Johnson is a beauty and style editor who focuses on women 50 and older. She was the beauty and style editor at Ladies’ Home Journal and a founding editor of More magazine. She has written three books: The Makeup Wakeup, The Wardrobe Wakeup and The Woman's Wakeup.