Jayanti Krishnan
Winters are here and as we pull out our woolens, we step into a season of warmth, love and comfort. Catching up with families, reuniting with friends, eating wholesome food is what winters are all about. But then not only people around us seek love and care, our skin and scalp also demand a lot of care!
An overall extra external and internal nourishment is needed in this weather for that happy looking skin.
Here are some handy tips for skin care in winter (including my personal favourites from the kitchen shelf):
Moisturize – A must-do routine to ensure we have a glowing skin in winters. Use a rich, oil-based moisturizer during the winter months. It helps in keeping our skin hydrated and makes sure that the skin does not lose its natural oil. You can choose from a range of natural moisturizers like coconut oil, castor oil, olive oil, ghee. My favourite is Milk and Cream (Malai) pack.
Drink water – It is very important to keep your body hydrated. If you have a hard time remembering to sip your glass of water, try to make a habit of it by setting a reminder in your phone. And substitute tea or coffee with warm water mixed with honey or cumin seeds (jeera). You may add herbal green tea bags if needed.
Night Routine – If you wish to see healthy skin, you must not forget to replenish it at night when you are resting for about 7-8 hours. Indulge in deep moisturizing with oils before you sleep so you can wake up with a beautifully supple skin. My favourite is Aloe Vera and Almond Oil.
Munch on fruits/veggies – Watermelons, cucumbers and celery naturally contain a lot of water, which makes them a perfect snack when you’re trying to keep your skin hydrated. Orange and yellow veggies like sweet potatoes, carrots, red peppers and pumpkin, are great for your skin as they contain the antioxidant, beta-carotene. Add some spinach and other dark leafy greens to your plate. You can either have these raw, or saute some vegetables of your choice in olive oil and have.
Befriend your Nails – Winter works its way into your nails and skin by removing the moisture. Cuticles get very dry during winter opening the gaps for bacteria and fungus to invade your nail polish. Cuticle oil is what you need for this season. Rub your nails and the skin around it gently with cuticle oil. Do this every night before sleep and you will witness the results for yourself. My favourite is Vitamin E Oil.
Care for your Lips – While we all focus on our skin, we sometimes forget to give attention to a major part of our face: the lips. I personally face the issue of chapped lips. The best remedy is to eliminate dead skin by using a mild scrub and then apply lip balm before bed. My favourite natural scrub is sugar or khuskhus mixed with honey or some cream and my preferred lip balm is a mixture of castor oil, rose water and some coco butter.
Exercise – Last but not the least, exercise regularly by running, jogging or brisk walking. Preferably outdoors, to get that natural pink hue in your cheeks this winter. If this is not possible, go for either yoga or gym to get your blood circulation going.
Wishing everyone a Happy Winter Skin!
Eyra 