Winter is the season for holidays, festive cheer, gifts, and feasts and of course unpleasant happenings on your beauty front.
There are umpteen beauty products available that promise to take care of your winter problems including dry and scaly skin, dull hair and chapped cheeks.
But store-bought products alone will not guarantee you a beauty-safe winter. A strict adherence to regular beauty care and a healthy diet are key, and so are working out regularly and getting the necessary dose of outdoors.
Read on to find out how you can care for your skin in the best possible manner, and steer clear of winter-induced problems.
1. Eat Right
What you put inside your body is as important as what you apply on the outside. The diet you follow has a huge say in how well your skin and hair hold up against the onslaught of dry winter air.
Do you know that the oils present in mackerel and salmon fights moisture loss in your body, and help keep your skin soft and supple?
Ensure you have fish at least three times a week. Omega-three fatty acids present in fish have collagen-conserving properties that maintain the skin firm and wrinkle-free. The good fat present in fatty fishes also helps your body including the skin to bind to moisture and retain it for a longer time.
Leafy greens contain a plant compound called Lutein that protects you from the harmful effects of UV rays. Though winter is not the time you go sunbathing on the beach, a little bit of exposure to UV rays is enough to make your skin dry, irritated and itchy. So winter is the time is when you should really gorge on crunchy spinach and kale.
Eggs, berries and plenty of water will help you winter-proof your hair and skin to a very large extent.
2. Rely on Natural Homemade Moisturizers
Our hectic schedules make time-consuming beauty treatments almost impossible. But home-made masks can really prove to be life-savers in your fight against the dry and cold winter climate.
Masks made from natural products help moisturize and energize your skin. Also, you can make a jar-full on weekends and keep them in the fridge. This will be helpful when you come back home from work in the evenings and want to rejuvenate your skin back to its natural glow.
Here are a few that you can try.
Honey is a great moisturizer. It also has healing properties that will help soothe and repair the damaged skin cells.
Mix 2 tablespoons of honey with a few drops of lime and olive oil. Apply the mixture on your face and rub in in gently in circular motions. Wash off with warm water and pat dry. Your skin will be soft and glowing. Follow it up with a good night’s rest to get the best acne treatment.
If you want a quick dose of moisture for your dry and tired skin, then you can try this home remedy. Separate the egg whites from a couple of eggs and whip them till they become frothy. This can be used as a very effective moisturizer to restore dehydrated and reddened skin.
3. Fruit Masks and Facials Love Your Skin
Fruit masks are tender on the skin and replenish your skin with moisture. They rejuvenate the skin cells and remove fine lines and wrinkles.
Steer clear from store-bought and synthetic masks, peels and other alcohol-based products. Harsh astringents and toners also strip natural oils from the skin. Clay-based face packs have a dehydrating effect on the skin.
Mash fruits like apple, banana, avocado and papaya to make a thick and gooey mask. Apply this on your face and leave it on for about half an hour. Wash off with lukewarm water and discover your skin fresh and glowing.
Follow it up with an oil-based moisturizer. Natural products are safe for your skin and do not disrupt the beneficial effects of the fruit facial. Go for products that are certified 90%-95% organic and are free from harmful chemicals.
Authentic organic products are expensive, but many cosmetic majors come out with free samples, discount coupons and freebies from time to time. Keep your eyes open for them and make sure you do not miss out on any bargain deals.
4. Hair Care at Its Natural Best
The harsh winter cold has damaging effects on your hair as well. Dry hair is more damage-prone and can break easily. So it is vital that you pay attention to your hair and scalp and keep them safe.
Honey works wonders on your hair as well.
Mix half a cup of honey with a mashed banana to make a thick past. Add olive oil until it attains the desired consistency for even application on your scalp and hair. Make sure there is enough to cover your scalp and hair to up to the tips. Leave it on for half an hour and then wash off with a gentle cleansing shampoo.
A protein-packed natural conditioner is a mixture of yoghurt and eggs. Apply on your hair and rinse off with cool water after 10 minutes to get silky soft hair.
Regular care also includes a hot oil massage once a week. Dry and damaged hair can be restored to its lost glory with almond or coconut oil.
Pour the oil in a bowl and heat it for 40 seconds. Apply the warm oil on your scalp and hair and rub it in properly. Leave it on for an hour and then wash off with your regular shampoo and conditioner.
Almond oil and coconut oil have great nourishing and moisturizing properties and are packed with Vitamin E. These oils penetrate the hair shaft and offer deep nourishment from within. These tips along with keeping your cut by professionals will help.
5. Consult a Specialist
Some skin problems get aggravated with time. If you are facing myriad skin and hair problems it is best you consult a specialist.
Experts will be able to analyze what is troubling you and suggest suitable solutions. So don’t hesitate to seek professional help if things are getting out of hand.
Conclusion
Winter beauty care can prove to be laborious and time-consuming. But do not be lax because winter can have really harsh effects on our hair and skin. Regular maintenance and a bit of TLC will help you tide over this winter in style.
You can always research online to find skin care guides and reviews. Blogs like http://skincareinreview.com and many others will allow you to get more information on products and how those products worked for them.
