Category: Lifestyle

How to Care for Your Skin During a Harsh Winter

Winter involves holiday gatherings and relaxing by the fire. However, the cold temperatures can take a toll on your skin if you don’t properly care for it. How can you ensure a healthy, moisturized body during a harsh winter? Here are eight tips to use during the cold season.

1. Use Moisturizer

Moisturizer should be part of your skincare routine throughout the year, but it’s even more essential during the winter. Find a formula that’s best for your skin type. While scent should be a factor, you want to pick the most effective brand to keep your skin moisturized. The optimal time to apply it is after you dry yourself off after a shower.

Dry skin is common in the winter due to the outside conditions. If your skin starts flaking, consider seeing a health care professional for further help. You may get a prescription for extra-strength skin care products. Make moisturizer part of your routine by doing it at least once daily. Typically, guys apply it in the morning and at night.

2. Apply Beard Oil

Guys with beards need an extra layer of protection in the winter, considering they’re susceptible to dry facial hair. Incorporate beard oil in your routine as often as your skin moisturizer. These products work together to keep your integumentary system hydrated and ready for the harsh winters.

When searching for beard oil, find products with high-quality ingredients and pleasant scents. It’s also practical for grooming facial hair and achieving specific looks — and while it’s great for your beard, this oil goes deeper by moisturizing your hair follicles and skin to reduce dryness and dandruff.

3. Remember Your Sunscreen

You may associate sunscreen with fun summer days at the beach. While it’s essential during hot weather, this lotion remains helpful in the harsh winter. Ultimately, it comes down to ultraviolet (UV) rays. Experts say the sun causes up to 90% of visible skin changes despite some attributing them to aging. Therefore, this skincare strategy is essential.

UV levels dip in the winter because of the Earth’s tilt, but they’re still potent enough to affect your skin. This type of radiation is invisible to the human eye, so it’s best to wear sunscreen throughout the year. Wear it between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. if you’re in direct sunlight for prolonged periods.

4. Turn on the Humidifier

Being indoors doesn’t always protect you from the elements. Even your indoor living space becomes drier when the air shifts from humid to arid. These conditions are more bearable when you have a humidifier in your home. Turn it on during the winter to add moisture and reduce the dryness in your beard and skin.

Keep the humidifier at a comfortable level in tandem with your thermostat to ensure your living space doesn’t feel like a rainforest. This appliance sends water vapor into the air, allowing your skin to remain hydrated. In addition to being excellent for your skin, humidifiers keep your living space more habitable during the winter.

5. Monitor Your Appliances

Humidifiers keep your home comfortable and your skin hydrated during the winter. What about your other appliances? All your domestic machines have a role in your body’s health. Maintaining these appliances throughout the year — especially in the colder months — is essential to your well-being. Watch for signs they need extra care.

For instance, heat pumps are crucial for warming your home and mitigating the harsh conditions outside. Within this device, the air filter requires regular examinations and cleanings. This component removes mold and mildew that make you sick but can become clogged if you don’t tend to it. Odd sounds could also indicate your heat pump needs service.

6. Take Colder Showers

When you’ve spent time in the cold, it’s nice to come home and take a hot shower. The warm water feels fantastic on your skin but could adversely affect its hydration. Experts say hot water removes oil and moisture from your body, thus causing more harm than good if you’re concerned about dry skin.

Once winter arrives, mitigate your skin drying with colder showers than usual. While it can take time to get used to, your skin will thank you later. Lukewarm or cold showers are better for your body because they’re better at retaining moisture. Another way to improve your shower routine is by using mild soaps.

7. Eat a Healthy Diet

The air and your skincare products significantly determine your skin’s moisture levels. However, there are a few underrated factors you may overlook. For instance, people underestimate the role of healthy eating in your skin’s health. A 2024 Cureus study found a well-balanced diet supported optimal skin health and influenced dermatological disorders.

Your diet should be specific to your nutritional needs. That said, you can help your skin by following basic dietary principles. Protein, carbohydrates and healthy fats should be at the center of your meals. Increase your vitamin A intake, as experts say this substance protects skin from free radicals. Your shopping list should include sweet potatoes, carrots and spinach.

8. Monitor Your Coffee Consumption

Coffee is a must for many guys, whether they work early or burn the midnight oil. While this beverage boosts your energy, it could harm your skin. Coffee is a diuretic, so it removes moisture from your body and increases bathroom trips. Constant consumption could lead to drier skin, especially in the winter.

When the cold weather arrives, monitor your coffee cups and see how your body reacts. If your skin becomes drier, reduce your consumption and see if it has any effect. Coffee has a role in helping skin, such as treating shaving cuts and constricting blood vessels. Some people use coffee seed oil to increase collagen. However, you should watch how it impacts your body.

Protecting Your Body From the Harsh Conditions

Old Man Winter doesn’t have much sympathy for your skincare routine. This season typically brings snowfall, drier conditions and flaky skin, so caring for your body is essential. Take extra time to moisturize your face and beard. Then, do the little things like eating a healthy diet and taking a cold shower. Ultimately, skincare in the winter requires a holistic approach.

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Dealing With Pollen, Dander and Other Allergens

You grew your beard and kept it because it looked good. Perhaps it gave you that Jason Momoa vibe you were striving for. However, you may have noticed other changes after you grew the old whiskers, especially if you have allergies. Did you feel better or worse or suffer more or less from irritants?

The word on the street is that growing beards can keep pollen, dander and other pesky allergies at bay. Other bearded guys say their allergies have worsened since they added facial hair to their look. So what is the truth? Does growing a beard have an impact on your health?

Growing a Beard Might Help or Hinder Allergy Sufferers

Growing a beard could worsen your allergies or improve your resistance to them. Ultimately, your personal beard maintenance plays the most prominent role in how airborne allergens affect your health through your facial hair. Your beard is a magnet for pollen, dander and other allergens floating around in the immediate atmosphere.

Having a large beard, or even a goatee, might prevent many of these from reaching your nose or mouth to wreak havoc on your sinuses. Conversely, having them caught up in your beard for an extended period means there’s more chance of them eventually finding your facial cavities instead of drifting away in the breeze. You must keep your beard clean and groomed regularly to minimize the chances of the latter.

How to Practice Effective Beard Maintenance

Growing a beard is an excellent idea if you invest time grooming it to keep it looking and feeling good. If not, ignoring your shaver that first time might lead to encountering unexpected problems as your beard grows longer and thicker.

To counteract these problems, especially during the high-allergy months, spend some time and care on the following.

1. Invest in and Use Beard Care Products

Budget for and buy a decent beard shampoo and conditioner and use it frequently to eliminate potentially irritating allergens that have found their way onto your face. Conditioners seal in moisture and protect facial hair from breakage and damage. Ensure your purchase is gentle enough not to cause skin irritation under the beard, or you may have further problems. Don’t use a regular shampoo and conditioner — invest in high-quality products that will remove dirt and sweat from your pores at the same time.

Consider spending more on beard oil or balm for extra care. These products have natural facial hair drying qualities that restrict the chances of pollen, dander or dirt sticking in your beard.  How much time and effort you’ll need will depend on your beard’s type and density, but go for unscented products, especially if you’re an allergy sufferer.

2. Consider Your Pets’ Effect

If you own a dog or cat, the spring and summer are high-allergen months, exposing your household to higher-than-normal dander levels. Pets are one of the most prominent sources of dander, and the more they try to cuddle up to you, the more likely you are to end up with loose fur and allergens trapped in your beard.

As the owner of a magnificent beard, you’ll want to minimize dander in the environment to cut down your allergy levels. Regular grooming will serve double purposes, keeping them cooler, happier and healthier while also keeping their mane under control. Clipping your dogs and brushing your cat removes excess thick fur and improves their natural temperature regulation. It’s a win-win situation for your pet and your beard.

3. Keep It Clean

People commonly recognize mid-to-late spring as pollen season, but pollen can actually be a hazard throughout most of the year. While spring is most prominent for tree pollen, summer sees spikes in grass pollen, while weed pollen is prevalent from around August through November.

If you’re an allergy sufferer who typically showers in the mornings, consider showering at night instead. As you go about your day, stray pollen can collect in your beard. When you go to sleep at night, as you breathe in, the trapped pollen will continue to get absorbed into the airways. Showering before bed can help clear your beard of stray debris, giving you a healthier nights sleep free from allergens.

4. Trim and Shave

Trimming your beard and shaving around it where necessary helps you look neat and confident, showing the world you respect yourself and care about your appearance. It also serves another purpose — it further reduces the chances of unwanted allergens nestling and getting trapped inside your facial hair.

When trimming, you want a sharp and even cut without the chance of blunting the scissors, which can cause discomfort. Invest in a high-quality pair that you can easily hold to provide the required finesse while trimming. Consider a beard trimmer for closer work if you’re struggling with the scissors.

It is best to shave the traditional way. A manual razor provides a closer and more precise shave than an electric one does. When shaving around your beard, you’ll reach the critical areas more easily manually than with an automated razor, meaning there is less risk of removing a crucial part of your look in error.

Whether you prefer a dry or wet traditional shave, both work well and have different benefits. A wet shave is closer, but a dry shave allows for a touch more accuracy. If you’re shaving dry, apply an aftershave balm or moisturizer to restrict your skin’s chances of rashes.

5. Apply Sun Protection

Allergens come in many shapes and forms. Keeping your beard protected from the sun’s extreme heat and harmful rays reduces the hair’s chances of becoming dry and brittle. Loose facial hair is an allergen, and a dry beard can directly cause reactions in the warmer months.

Sunscreen is most effective for protecting your skin if you have a thinner beard, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t use it if you have a thicker one. Remember, you’re not only protecting your skin from the sun but your beard, too. Applying sunscreen simply requires some extra grooming.

Facial hair’s highest ultraviolet protection factor of 21 doesn’t satisfy the Skin Cancer Foundation. It recommends a sun protection factor of 30 for extended outdoor activities, meaning having a beard doesn’t offer sufficient protection. From skin health and beard safety perspectives, sunscreen is necessary in the hot seasons.

Growing a Beard Can Help Your Allergies

It’s vital to maintain and care for your beard regularly and effectively. Then, while consistently grooming and trimming your facial hair, keep yourself and your immediate environment as clear of dander, pollens and other allergens as possible.

In this way, you’ll successfully restrict your allergies and make your beard an effective aid in the process.

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How to Pull Off Iconic Video Game Beards

Some people love in-game personalities for their creative designs, down to their clothes. They even try to replicate their appearance in real life. Copying the facial hair is a feat, but you may find the perfect style for you along the way. Here are the most iconic video game beards and how to achieve them.

1. Kratos

Kratos from “God of War” has one of the most iconic beards, known for looking wild yet refined. The god slayer has a dropping V-shape beard, so you must shave and refine the sides to make it slightly angled. Run your fingers through and thin out the shape.

The sides of Kratos’ beard are relatively untouched, so you should focus on shaping. However, as his upper lip shows, remember to clean up the mustache. Aim for a like a horseshoe shape when you’re shaving.

As you may know, Kratos has a luscious amount of hair to work with. If you’re having trouble, try to adjust your diet and exercise. Zinc-rich foods like nuts and chickpeas can benefit testosterone levels and help hair growth. Keeping the beard clean can also influence growth.

2. Zangief

If you’ve ever played some of the “Street Fighter” games, you must’ve tried Zangief at least once. He’s a real eyecatcher with his burly muscles and chest hair.

Zangief also has a mustache and a beard. However, the main difference is it has a more block-like shape, especially in earlier game versions. As you’re shaping it, define the sides to mimic a sharp jawline.

You can also clean up the sides of your facial hair. Apply shaving cream to those baby hairs and remove them. Earlier versions of Zangief have a goatee, so you may have to map and carve it out of the beard.

3. The Big Boss

“Metal Gear Solid” is many’s favorite stealth game series. The character design is simple yet powerful. You can take inspiration from low-maintenance styles similar to the soldier Solid Snake — the former spy who sets out to figure out the truth behind some mysterious weaponry.

However, the original Big Boss’s beautiful beard is an incredible look. To achieve it, grow your facial hair, ensuring it connects with your sideburns. Trim the sides to prevent the hair from growing too long.

In terms of volume, you want to allow the skin to peek through ever so slightly for a more rugged appearence. Hold your scissors at a 90-degree angle and go against the grain of the hair to make it a little less complete.

4. King of All Cosmos

“Katamari Damacy” is about the Prince of Cosmos’ adventure to restore the sky after his father, the king, accidentally destroyed the stars and started the whole mess. The game became a cult classic, in no small part due to the hilariously dynamic King of All Cosmos sporting one of gaming’s most intricate beard and mustache combos.

Two key elements are required for this specific video game beard. First, you need a skinny and pointed version of the imperial mustache. Comb your facial hair downward and trim the longer hairs to achieve the ideal shape.

The King of All Cosmos beard also has a goatee with pronounced edges. Make sure to grow out your hair to thicken it before shaving and trimming. That way, your facial hair truly stands out from your skin.

5. Barret Wallace

The “Final Fantasy” series is a well-loved game with many famous characters. While Cloud and Sephiroth may be the faces of Final Fantasy VII and its remake, it’s Barret Wallace’s god-tier scruff that stands out.

Compared to Johnny’s three small strips of facial hair or Ramuh’s luxurious look, Barret sports a well-maintained full beard that covers his chin. Grow out your hair and practice a proper care routine. Exfoliating and conditioning can keep the hair luscious.

From there, you can trim your mustache and beard to achieve a slight fade. This style works best if your facial hair connects with a low-cut fade.

6. Wolverine

Most “X-Men” games will feature Wolverine in his full gold and blue suit, claws out. However, ones like “X-Men Origins: Wolverine” and the upcoming “Marvel’s Wolverine” remove the mask and show the beard in all its glory.

There are limited details for the latter title since it’s still in development. However, you can simply take inspiration from Hugh Jackman’s glorious beard when he portrayed the superhero.

The main thing is to define the mutton chops. Shave out the hairs from the cheeks for extra definition. Make them bushier to evoke the wild look Wolverine is best known for by bunching up the hair. If anything seems too long, grab your scissors for a quick trim.

7. Victor Chevalier

The “Tekken” series has introduced many iconic video game beards, such as Jinpachi Mishima’s white one that points up to the heavens. However, if you want more wearable inspiration, consider Victor Chevalier — one of the new faces in the “Tekken 8” roster.

Victor has medium-to-long stubble that looks well-kept. To get the same style, shave against the grain and shape your facial hair. If it grows to a full beard, trim it down until it emulates the stubble again.

8. Guan Yu

“Dynasty Warriors” is one of those games where you can just turn off your brain and enjoy the action. Guan Yu, inspired by the real Han Dynasty general, is a standout character to mimic your beard after. After all, wouldn’t you love to be called “Beautiful Beard” by your peers too?

The style is also pretty simple, as you must focus on growing everything. Compared to other warriors, most of his facial hair starts down the jawline. Make sure to shave the upper portion.

The mustache consists of two long strips that flow into the rest of the beard. Comb and care for the hair as it grows longer.

Achieving Your Ideal Video Game Beards

Video game beards are a defining feature that makes characters popular. Emulating the look can boost your confidence and allow your creativity to shine. As your hair grows, explore multiple styles and see what sticks.

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Dry Air and Its Impact on Your Hair Health

Good hair is the secret to a great appearance. Unfortunately, some environmental factors may be out of your control. Low humidity can create a questionable environment for your hair and beard, resulting in an unkempt appearance and troublesome quality. Fortunately, you can improve care and maintenance routines to mitigate such conditions.

Your Hair vs. Dry Air

Dry air is typically a problem in wintertime, but some areas constantly deal with a low-humidity environment. These conditions can cause hair itchiness, dandruff, flakes and more.

1. Itchiness

Dry air can make skin more itchy. Even if the head and beard area are covered with locks of hair, they are still prone to smaller irritations. If you have sensitive skin, it may even feel like the skin stings.

An itchy scalp is associated with hair loss in many different ways. Scratching it can scar the skin and follicles, reducing hair health. It also works both ways, as less coverage means more exposure to dry air and even more itchiness.

2. Dandruff

Dry air can also cause dandruff on the head and beard area. A lack of moisture can make the skin even more flaky. Scratching exposes those white speckles, but if the skin gets bad, it can shed them even without contact.

The flakes may also be attributed to seborrheic dermatitis. Its main difference with dandruff is that it triggers redness on light skin and light patches on dark skin. Contact a dermatologist if there’s swelling or discoloration on the scalp and beard.

3. Weakness

Strong hair is advantageous because it is of good quality and easy to style. However, dry air can make it much weaker than usual. If you already have frail strands, the dry air can make your head and beard even more of a nightmare.

Dry hair is more prone to split ends and frizz, which is visible close-up. If you’re cozying up with a partner, having these flaws show up close can make you quite self-conscious.

4. Dullness

All extreme weather conditions impact your locks. Low humidity can cause dullness, and the lack of moisture can also cause it to lose its natural sheen. This is a problem for those with longer hair and beards since the matte effect is more obvious.

Straight hair may manage with a lack of vitality. Unfortunately, dullness is more evident with naturally wavy and curly hair, as they get a flatter volume and lackluster appearance.

How to Take Care of Your Hair

Dry air may be inevitable, but there are preventive measures and home remedies for protecting hair after exposure to such a harsh environment.

1. Avoid the Outdoors

Low humidity is much more apparent when you head outdoors. To protect your hair, stay at home instead. Consider working from home or inviting people to your household if possible.

If you do need to go outside, make sure to cover up your hair to minimize exposure. A hat can cushion your head. For the beard, you can opt to wear a face mask. Wrapping a handkerchief around also works.

2. Optimize Your Home

Even if you are indoors, dry air from outside may seep inside. Make sure to close all the windows. Insulation material is also a good way to keep the outdoor conditions out of your household and vice versa.

You can also install a humidifier to distribute moisture throughout the home and combat lingering dryness. Find the right temperature settings for you. It can also reduce the spread of bacteria, further protecting the hair and skin from getting the itch.

3. Sleep and Eat Well

Dry air is an external condition that is hard to get rid of. However, you can fortify your internal health to prevent cumbersome hair conditions. For example, food with vitamins A and C and omega-3 fatty acids can renew your skin cells and restore moisture. Sneak in seafood and chia seeds in your diet.

Drinking water can also maintain hydration. Set an alarm to get a glass throughout the day to ensure you get enough fluids. A shower can also give your scalp a break from dryness.

Try to get a good night’s sleep to keep your immune system intact too. You can also invest in a silk pillowcase since its natural material lets the skin and hair breathe in the long run. It can also regulate temperature better than other materials like satin or cotton.

4. Change Up Your Style

Dry air makes hair maintenance quite challenging, especially when you have a longer style. During low-humid seasons, consider changing up your style. You can experiment with a shorter cut or shave while simplifying the upkeep.

For the hair, chop off an inch or two to make it easier to manage. If you want to take things to the next level, a short textured crop or crew cut will be easier to manage.

With a beard, opt for a short stubble instead. This style lets you peek at your skin to check for rashes. This style grows half an inch monthly, so shave to maintain the same length if you wish.

5. Apply Essential Oils

Essential oils are usually associated with adding extra scents, but they can also improve health. For example, lavender and peppermint can prevent hair loss and stop breakage. Stronger hair can withstand the colder weather.

To apply this, formulate your own hair perfume by adding lavender and peppermint oil to a spray bottle. You can use argan or coconut oil as the base to add an extra spritz of moisture to the locks. Dilute with water if you have more sensitive skin.

6. Shift Products

Look into more moisturizing products for the hair and skin amid dry air. This can compensate for the weather and prevent flakiness from occurring. Cream-based products should do the trick, but you can also opt for gel.

If you’re taking a shaver to your hair or beard, take extra care of your skin. A moisturizing shaving cream or oil is extremely important to prep for cutting.

Afterward, you can pamper your skin with extra product. Home remedies can also be quite helpful. Honey can heal brittle hair by stimulating cell regeneration. Combine it with milk to soften existing strands. Apply this liquid mask liberally.

Save Your Hair Health

Dry air can affect your hair’s health and style, as well as the skin underneath. Take matters into their own hands and care for the head and beard area. The right changes can help you look fresh and well-groomed.

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