Winter Skincare Tips to Keep Your Skin Soft and Your Mani Fresh

Things we love about the cold: cute winter accessories. Things we don’t love about the cold: we’re freezing, salted streets are ruining our shoes, it gets dark early…the list goes on, but the number one reason is how dry it makes our skin and nails – and can affect how long our manis last. Luckily, we have all the tips to prevent dry skin this season (and all year-round!).

Cuticle Oil Is Your Best Friend

Incorporate cuticle oil into your daily routine, and you will see a dramatic difference in the health and strength of your nails and cuticles. Applying cuticle oil (like our 100% natural oil), can help save even the driest of nail beds, and the stimulation from massaging your nails increases circulation. Stash some in your purse for an on-the-go cuticle massage, store it at your desk for a quick nail massage, or apply right before bed to really let it soak in.

Moisturize Always 

Apply a moisturizing hand cream immediately after you wash your hands – every time! Water can draw the moisture out of your hands and nails, leading to chapped skin and torn cuticles. Applying lotion immediately locks in the additional moisture and protects your hands. Since lotion is absorbed by your skin, keep toxins away – our Varnish Lane all-natural hand cream is 100% free of toxins and leaves your hands smooth and hydrated without a greasy feel.

Humidity Please

While most of us may hear the word “humidity” and immediately recoil from images of frizzy hair and thick summer heat, low humidity is actually one of the main culprits of dry winter skin. Use a humidifier at home, and find a desk humidifier for your office (we like this cute one), to infuse the air with moisture and hydrate your skin. Humidifiers are not only a great way to save your skin, but they will have you feeling better all winter long too – humidifiers help relieve congestion from the common cold, flu and sinus infections as well. 

Break Out the Gloves

Gloves should be your go-to this season! Always wear gloves when leaving the house to protect against chapped hands from winter winds. And it’s not just about outerwear gloves – one of the best ways to protect your mani is to wear gloves while doing the dishes or any type of household cleaning. For the same reasons you need to apply hand lotion after washing your hands, you want to avoid soaking your nails in water as much as possible to help your mani last long and prevent split cuticles and dry skin (another benefit of waterless nail services we offer!) Always wear gloves when doing the dishes and reapply lotion after you’re done for good measure.

Short and Sweet 

If your nails are prone to breaking and you’re working on improving the overall health of your nails, keep them on the shorter side. Shorter nails makes it easier to avoid breaks or snags, so trim your nails regularly to maintain healthy nails and use a fine file to smooth out the edges of your nail. Bonus: this more classic look is very on-trend right now, and works perfect in every setting, from office to a night out! 

Here’s to healthy, moisturized hands and longer lasting manicures all year long!