Image: Padurariu Alexandru/Unsplash
As the weather changes and winter knocks on our doors, most of us start dreading the chills, the winter “blues” and the dry skin that comes with it. I have a few tips to help enjoy this short and beautiful time of the year.
Our outer layer is the first to feel the drop in temperature. To keep your skin looking and feeling fresh and dewy we have to treat it with a little extra attention. Just a few small changes and our skin will thank us later.
Tips to avoid dry skin in winter
Keep shower time short – between 5 and 10 minutes.
Avoid hot showers. They strip your skin of its oils. Try lowering the temperature a little and have a bath occasionally with warming bath milks. Bath milks moisturise, nourish and mildly exfoliate the skin.
Use a moisturising shower cream/gel.
Apply moisturiser on damp skin. The moisturiser traps the moisture in. Use bath melts in the bath – these leave the skin soft and supple and trap the bath moisture in. Reapply moisturiser if needed to keep skin supple.
Apply generous amounts of lip balm at night to wake up with super soft lips. The same applies to hand creams and foot balms.
Avoid vigorous scrubbing and exfoliating. Use a butter or oil based scrub. These beauties will not strip the skin of its oils and will leave a moisturising layer of oils on the skin.
Use a humidifier (if possible with warming / immunity boosting blends).
Drink plenty of water. Reduce the intake of caffeinated drinks as they tend to dry the skin.
Reduce the use of indoor heaters. These dry out the internal air. Instead wear more warm clothes, socks etc. Have a warm drink, preferably herbal teas.
Tips for Facial Care this winter
Avoid vigorous exfoliation. Limit exfoliation to once a week.
Limit face washing (with a face cleanser) to once a day- preferably at night. Wash face with only warm water in the morning. The best product to use is a Cleansing oil formulated for your skin type.
Wear a light yet nourishing moisturiser. For example, a face oil with essential oils for dry skin.
Wear a face balm or face cream with barrier protection if spending time in heated rooms.
Always wear a sun block when outdoors.
With the dropping mercury levels, the heaters get turned up. This can, however, lead to high energy bills and skin dryness. I have a few alternative suggestions on beating the winter chills.
Tips to keep the home warm in winter
Use door snakes (draught stoppers) to stop cold air.
Use warming essential oil blends in a humidifier/diffuser to keep the house warm.
Use sunlight during the day to warm the house and then close the blinds and curtains by dusk to trap in the natural heat.
“Rug up” your home – Use colourful and plush rugs on the floor to add warmth and colour.
Close rooms that are not in use.
Use warm (flannel) bedding.
Here are some essential oil blends for winter:
Mix the oils and store in a Amber bottle. Use a few drops in a diffuser.
Essential oil blend for a Cozy Home:
25 drops Orange
10 drops Cardamom
5 drops Cinnamon
10 drops Clove
5 drops Ginger
Essential Oil blend for Boosting Immunity:
20 drops Clove
10 drops Lemon
10 drops Orange
10 drops Cinnamon
10 drops Eucalyptus
5 drops Rosemary
5 drops of Thyme
5 drops of Oregano
Whilst Winter can bring in a lot of problems due to less humid and dry weather, The Lotion Bar Company has a beautiful range of products to protect the skin and keep it soft, healthy and moisturised.
Reema Shamin is the Founder of The Lotion Bar Company. To find out more go to her website at www.thelotionbar.com.au.
