A Winter Ritual for Skin and Hair
In winter, cold air outside and dry heating inside leave skin and hair feeling drier than usual. A simple winter ritual answers that with four changes: shorter, warm (not hot) showers; oil on damp skin straight after washing; a richer oil for the evening and the driest areas; and a drop of oil on the ends of your hair between wash days.
Why winter feels different
Cold air holds less moisture, and indoor heating dries it further. Long hot showers feel comforting but can leave skin feeling tight afterwards. Scarves, collars and covered hair add friction. None of this needs a new routine, only a few adjustments to the one you have.
For the body
- Keep showers warm and short. Five to ten minutes is plenty.
- Oil while skin is still damp. Pat lightly with a towel, then smooth a few drops of oil over arms, legs and shoulders. Damp skin helps the oil spread thinly. The method is in How to Use Body Oil After the Shower.
- Reach for a richer oil on the driest areas. Pure Wheat Germ Oil is full-bodied and suits elbows, knees and heels; read Wheat Germ Oil for Skin.
- Take a slow bath now and then. A teaspoon of oil in a warm bath leaves a light film on the skin. See How to Use Bath Oil.
For the face
- Evening: press two or three drops of a richer face oil onto clean skin. Pure Pomegranate Seed Oil and Saffron Face Oil suit the season; see An Evening Face Oil Ritual.
- Morning: a single drop of a light oil, such as jojoba or grapeseed, under your usual sun protection. Winter sun still calls for it.
- Once a week: a gentle pomegranate peel powder mask, followed by your face oil.
Not sure which oil to choose? Read How to Choose a Face Oil.
For hands and nails
Hands meet the most cold air and the most washing. Keep a small bottle by the sink and massage one drop into each nail and cuticle in the evening. See Oil for Nails and Cuticles.
For hair
- Keep your pre-wash oil. Oiling before the wash leaves hair feeling softer afterwards. Follow How to Use a Pre-Wash Hair Oil.
- Add a finishing drop between washes. One drop of argan or jojoba through the ends. See Pre-Wash or Finishing Oil?
- Dry fully before going out or covering hair. Read Hijab Hair Care for gentle habits under a scarf.
- Rinse with lukewarm water, not hot.
Your oils in the cold
Some natural oils turn cloudy or thicken in a cold room; jojoba is one of them. This is natural. Warm the bottle in your hands for a minute and it clears. Keep oils away from radiators and heaters, which age them faster. Our storage guide has more.
A winter week, at a glance
| When | Ritual |
|---|---|
| Every shower | Body oil on damp skin |
| Every evening | Face oil; a drop on each nail |
| Wash day | Pre-wash hair oil, 20 to 30 minutes, then shampoo |
| Between washes | A finishing drop on the ends |
| Once a week | A face mask, or a slow bath |
Good to know
- Test any new oil on a small area of skin and wait 24 hours. See How to Patch Test.
- Keep oils away from the eyes, and skip broken or irritated skin.
- Wheat germ oil is not for anyone with a wheat or gluten allergy.
- If dryness is severe or does not settle, speak to a pharmacist or doctor.
Looking for a winter gift? See our botanical beauty gift guide.