Oh boy, it's winter. The gloves are out, the winter jacket has been salvaged from the back of the wardrobe and the central heating has been switched on. The dry cold air of the season is just one reason to plan a winter natural skincare regime. Biggreensmile.com has the top tips to avoid feeling like a snow queen!
Where your skin is at its thickest and most exposed is where you're likely to suffer from dryness – such as your hands, the areas between your fingers and toes and of course your lips and sides of mouth.It's the time of year when your skin gets a multitude of hot and cold blasts from walking around in the windy and icy weather to snuggling up indoors. This means your top protective layer of skin can get damaged so that it's unable to hold its natural oils, causing horribly dry and chapped skin. Ugh.
Top tip number one: invest in a humidifier or keep a bowl of water indoors to increase the level of moisture in the air that's lost when you've got the heating cranked up.
Diet do's
To avoid being prone to dry and chapped skin think about your food choices. Whilst you are enjoying the festive splurge keep up your vitamin intake. Vitamin A-rich foods such as carrots, tomatoes and leafy green veggies are great for the skin. Whole grains, walnuts, flaxseeds and legumes such as runner beans and lentils will boost the essential fatty acids in your body that help keep skin lubricated. You can also keep your skin hydrated by drinking plenty of water.
The perfect bath
You might also want to supplement your diet by ingesting evening primrose oil that also contains an essential fatty acid (known as GLA) that is thought to strengthen skin cells. Evening primrose oil works inside and out and is a beneficial ingredient within many natural beauty products assisting with dry skin conditions. Check out our range here.
It might be tempting to have a lovely long hot bath or shower in this cold weather. But there's a but - the hotter the water the more likely it is to remove your skin's natural moisture, so keep your water lukewarm instead. Simple test: if your skin turns red, the water's too hot.
In winter reduce the amount of bathing you do to just once a day. By the time you're 45-years-young the skin becomes less elastic so you might want to consider bathing even less. Before you bathe, give yourself a massage with some good-quality organic olive oil as this will help protect your skin.
Instead of hot baths, cold and achy muscles can be relieved with Badger Balm Mini Muscle Rub which includes the spice Cayenne, known for its natural anti inflammatory qualities.
During bathing choose milder bathing products and natural soaps as chemical products can further strip away at the skin. Bath milks can also provide moisture to thirsty winter skin. A simple homemade remedy is to make a porridge bath - just pop some oatmeal into a tied-up old pair of tights and whoosh it around the tub. Delicious.
Bath oils from Kneipp are wonderful in the winter months and can soothe all sorts of ailments. If you are feeling itchy from dry and patchy skin then you might also want to have a saline bath as bath salts can help reduce the chapping. Burts Bees Therapeutic Bath Crystals is a wonderfully pampering option with its combination of lemon oil, rosemary and eucalyptus.
Once out of the tub or shower, pat yourself dry with a towel as the friction caused by aggressive rubbing can further aggravate your skin. Plus, after bathing there is no better time to moisturise!
Just because it's winter, don't give up on the usual routine of cleanse, exfoliate and moisturise! Moisturiser works better when your skin has been exfoliated, so before getting into the dry skin trap, brush your skin first thing in the morning to help your circulation and the glands that promote sebum – your skin's natural moisturiser.
Moisture magic
You can also use a natural soap scrub such as Odylique Honey and Oatmeal Soap for the face - it gently exfoliates leaving your skin soft and smoothe.
A good moisturiser will get you through the winter months. Body oils can be applied when your skin is still wet – great for when you're rushing to your next festive shindig. Give some special attention to your elbows and knees.
If you're skin is already chapped then there's nothing better than Odylique Organic Repair Lotion as it was developed for eczema sufferers and is full of beneficial natural ingredients such as organic chickweed, a traditional ingredient to sooth itching as well as aloe vera, calendula and chamomile all known for their anti-inflammatory and healing action.
There to nourish at any time of day and night, Weleda Skin Food has been spotted in Alexa Chung's handbag and is a favourite with make-up artists.
Getting the antioxidant vitamins into your skin can be achieved with Aloe Pura Aloe Vera Gel with Antioxidant Vitamins A, C & E or Yes To Carrots - C Through the Dry Spell Deliciously Rich Body Butter.
There is lots to be said for the ticking-all-boxes simplicity of the unisex Moa - The Green Balm that can be used anywhere - on your lips, under your nose and can even soothe a sore throat if gargled with hot water. Blokes can pamper themselves with Lavera Men's Moisturiser (full of olive, almond and jojoba oil) or the gentle goodness of Green People Cool Down Moisturiser.
For your face, you might want to consider creating a double barrier against the elements by applying a facial serum or oil before you moisturise, why not try one of these? For some DIY therapy, get your hands on an avocado, mash it up and apply it all over – yum!
Your winter wardrobe can also impact your skin. Clothes that have finer textures and are looser are a kinder option as rough clothing and woolens next to skin can aggravate itchiness.
PUCKER UP
Lips are often the biggest target for chappiness. You don't need to wear a balaclava to protect your puckers from the weather; a chic scarf and some natural lip balm will do the job. Burt's Bees Lip Balms are a fantastic green alternative to the conventional pore-clogging petroleum-derived balms on offer.
Even if the hottest person walks in the room avoid licking your lips as this will rapidly bring upon chapping. If your lips do chap then steer clear of acidic drinks and sauces to help with the healing process.
Disclaimer: Skin types vary depending on the individual. If irritation occurs, always seek medical assistance from your GP or a dermatologist.