Tricks and yummy treats, turkey and gravy and pumpkin pie, so many wonderful things to look forward to in fall. However with fall coming it means winter is just around the corner and unless you live in the Tropics, the dry and cold winter can be very damaging to your hair and skin. Dry indoor heating and the dry cold weather outside can easily cause uncomfortable dryness to the skin and breakage of your hair. Proper preventative steps need to be taken during this seasons to ensure that your hair and skin does not get damaged. Below are some tips to help you keep you skin and hair healthy through the winter months.
 
Seek a Specialist.

So you want to tone or darken your tresses for the fall/winter season. If you go to your local drugstore or Sally’s, you’ll be hard put to find a salesperson knowledgeable in hair color or skin care who can give you good advice. Save money, and avoid the trauma of having green or orange hair for that holiday party. Going to a colorist or esthetician or dermatologist is a good investment. Such a specialist can color your hair correctly, or analyze, type, and troubleshoot your current skin and hair care regimen, and give you advice on the care products you should be using.
 
Drink, Drink, Drink
I mean water! Drinking lots of water helps you to hydrate from the inside out. The goal is a minimum of 64 ounces of water each day. Buy a sturdy, reusable bottle so you avoid the plastic that can leach hazardous chemicals into your water.
 
Humidify the Air
Invest in a humidifier for your home or office…and use it!
 
Moisturizing Cleansers
Take the time to find a good hydrating skin cleanser. Both soaps and shampoo products can dry out skin and hair. For skin we recommend cleansing milk or mild foaming cleansers, and moisturizing bath products ointments.  Moisturizing skin products with vitamins A, D, and E actually help your skin retain moisture. Reapply it throughout the day and after washing your hands. A moisturizer that’s oil-based, rather than water-based, as the oil will create a protective layer on the skin that retains more moisture than a cream or lotion. (Hint: Many lotions labeled as “night creams” are oil-based.) Choose your oils with care because not all oils are appropriate for the face. Look for “nonclogging” oils, like avocado oil, or almond oil. You can also look for lotions containing “humectants,” a class of substances (including glycerine, honey and alpha-hydroxy acids) that attract moisture to your skin. Avoid using harsh peels, masks, and alcohol-based toners or astringents, all of which can strip vital oil from your skin. Instead, find a toner with no alcohol, and masks that are “deeply hydrating,” rather than clay-based.
 
For hair we recommend hydrating sulfate-free shampoos, and weekly deep-therapy mask. Since dryness starts from the ends, regular trims are a must. Also if you normally blow-dry, or use other heat tools, try to reduce their use on your hair and when you do use them apply a repair cream, heat-protecting cream or leave-in conditioner first.
 
Cool it Down
Take cooler showers and baths because extremely hot baths and showers can dry out skin and hair. Right before you get out of the shower, lock in the moisture by running your hair through cold water; this will also give your hair an extra shine.
 
Use Sunscreen
Many people don’t realize that the sun’s rays can be damaging even in the wintertime, when snow reflects the sunlight. It’s particularly important to use sunscreen on your face. You can protect your hair form the sun by wearing hats or using UV protection hair products.