Since both your hair and scalp have different needs in the winter, choosing the right at-home products can make all the difference, according to Bauman. Not only does this include using sulfate-free shampoos and cleansers, but he also advises adding conditioning products (including leave-in-conditioner!) to your routine in order to provide moisture to damaged and dehydrated hair. However, board-certified dermatologist Peterson Pierre, M.D., suggests that there are certain ingredients to look out for when selecting such products, as products containing oil-based ingredients tend to deliver a big blast of moisture to your tresses: “Oil-based leave-in-conditioners are best during the winter, with moisturizing coconut oil being particularly effective because it reduces inflammation.”

And no winter hair routine is complete without a scalp oil, which Hill says is essential for enhancing circulation and decongesting your scalp. She recommends using peppermint, tea tree, and citrus-based oils to give yourself a DIY scalp massage (starting at the nape of your neck) every week before shampooing. “Spend three to five minutes massaging the appropriate oil into the scalp to soften skin cells, exfoliate, and remove debris to encourage blood flow,” Hill explains.

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We’ve proudly sung the praises of oats – yep, as in the breakfast food – once before, but today we’re doubling down on the many benefits of this skincare ingredient. Sure, it may not sound quite as sexy as vitamin C or hyaluronic acid, but oats can actually do wonders for your skin. Even Aveeno (the scientific name for the common oat) concocted an entire skincare line based on the stuff, and it’s incorporated into some of today’s trendiest products.

“The oats found in skincare products are very finely milled to a powder, known as colloidal oatmeal, which is processed with the whole bran and then boiled down to produce an extract,” says Dr. Peterson Pierre, a board-certified cosmetic dermatologist. “This extract is full of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, oil-replenishing lipids, as well as moisturizing beta-glucans that moisturize, soothe, and protect your skin.”

This oat extract also acts as a humectant, which means it draws water into your skin, and its lipid content means it also helps create a protective barrier across your skin. Dr. Pierre says it’s an especially legit miracle worker for those with sensitive skin – including those with acne, eczema, and psoriasis – and can help soothe itchiness, dryness, and inflammation.

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