Winter is the worst season for hair and skin for Black men. The combination of cold and dry weather can have you out here looking like a piece of sandpaper. Old Man Winter is cruel, but these winter hair and skin tips for Black men will keep you looking fresh instead of dried out.
How To Protect Your Hair And Skin
Here are the most reliable ways to keep your hair and skin hydrated when the cold tries to take you out.
1) Inside Man
Many men don’t even consider that your appearance starts from the inside. If you are consistently dehydrated, your skin and hair will look bone dry and ashy. You want to aim to drink at least 64 ounces of fluid a day.
The 64 ounces should come from hydrating sources like water. If water is not your favorite thing to drink, try True Citrus. You can easily add these packets to your water to give it more taste. They have zero- and 10-calorie packs that are naturally sweetened with stevia.
Any fluid you add to your body will count toward the hydration total. But this does not give you the license to drink soda and sugary juices all day. These garbage drinks don’t improve your skin and hair or the quality of your overall health.
2) Skin Time
Your skin care routine does not need to be complicated.
Most men don’t realize there’s a difference between adding hydration and locking it in. Water-based products like aloe vera gel or any cream with glycerin or hyaluronic acid are what actually hydrate your skin. Oils don’t hydrate by themselves. What they do is trap that moisture so your skin stays smooth instead of drying out an hour later.
I use either coconut or grapeseed oil for my skin. I also add some essential oils to them to give them more punch and to add a great and natural manly scent. For my face, I use Weleda Skin Food. It’s a rich, nourishing cream that makes you look fresh and vibrant. The best time to use all of these is right after a shower. That’s how you trap the moisture in your skin.
Once your skin is locked in, it’s time to focus on the crown and the beard.
3) The Crown And The Mane
I use the same coconut oil or grapeseed oil for my hair and beard as well. If you have a mustache or goatee, the same rules apply.
I also add essential oils to make the oil more potent. One of the worst looks for a man is walking around with a dry beard, mustache, goatee, and scalp. The reality is that cold air will dry your hair out so badly that it starts to look tired and dusty. And that’s not the look any man wants. Daily application with these oils, fresh out of the shower, will add a brilliant shine to your hair.
If you’re rocking more hair on top, like me, a curl sponge is your best friend. I’ve been using them since 2007, and the newer rubber ones are super durable. The sponge keeps your hair texture tight, defined, and not looking packed-in when you step out the house.
Now, if you’re rocking a classic low cut, you need a durag. That’s how you lock in moisture, get your waves popping, and keep everything laid down instead of looking chaotic.
The Final Line Up
These winter hair and skin tips for Black men are a game-changer. When your hair, beard, and skin are on point, you will walk into every room with confidence.
To keep your hair and beard sharp, without long lines, rushed service, bad cuts, and late appointments, book your next cut at my barbershop.
I’ll holla at you next time.
The People’s Trainer & Barber
Fitman x Fademan
