Ingredients checks, product reccos and dermat-approved home remedies—a head-to-toe beauty guide for the cold weather
Cracked lips, parched skin, flaky scalp—as much as a nip in the air is a respite from scorching days of summer, it can be rough for our skin and hair’s texture and natural healing processes. Culprits like cold air, lack of humidity, and dry indoor heat during this season suck the moisture from the skin, lips, and hair, leading to perpetual discomforts like flakiness, itchiness, and skin sensitivity. The dry air disrupts the natural balance of oils and hydration, so focusing on winter-specific ingredients is crucial. From gentle cleansers to rich moisturisers, here is everything you need to know, do, and look for in products to keep your skin and scalp balanced and nourished.
Ingredients Inc
Besides our immune system, cold weather can be harsh and disruptive for the skin’s natural protective layer i.e. the skin barrier, calling for tweaks in our daily routine like staying away from anything that exacerbates inflammation and other effects of chilly weather. Colloidal silver, touted as a cure-all, can lead to serious side effects like argyria (permanent skin discolouration), alcohol and sulphates in skincare can strip away natural oils and worsen dryness, raw honey which might be beneficial in some cases, can cause botulism in infants, high doses of vitamins can lead to toxicity and unregulated herbs and supplements can have health risks. When it comes to skincare products, skip alcohol-based toners, harsh soaps, physical exfoliants, retinoids, and fragrances, they can be too stripping or abrasive, and lead to disruption in the skin’s natural pH balance and irritation and it is suggested to look for moisture-retaining products with gentler ingredients instead. This includes hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and shea butter to combat dryness, ceramides, and fatty acids to strengthen and protect the skin’s barrier, and oils like argan, coconut, and jojoba to replenish the hair’s moisture and shine.
The Product Checklist
For the face: Look for hero ingredients like skin-plumping hyaluronic acid, antioxidant-rich vitamin C to boost collagen production, and ceramides, the naturally occurring lipids that strengthen the skin barrier and prevent moisture loss.
For the hair
It is advised to use, nourishing ingredients like shea butter to tackle dryness; argan oil to repair damaged hair, prevent breakage, and add shine; and panthenol (pro-vitamin B5) to attract moisture and improve scalp health.
For the body
Check for oatmeal to soothe dry, itchy skin, fatty-acids-rich cocoa butter for deep nourishment, and glycerin to lock in moisture.
For hands and feet
Look for lanolin, a natural wax that mimics the skin’s oil, creating a protective barrier and locking in moisture, and other ingredients like healing urea and jojoba oil that hydrates without clogging to keep the hands and feet soft and moisturised.
For lips
To combat cracked, chapped, and dry lips, look for products with beeswax to create a protective barrier and lock in moisture, shea butter to soften, or apply coconut oil directly onto lips to deeply nourish.
DIY Edition
If you prefer a do-it-yourself approach when it comes to winter hacks, there are plenty of pantry staples to save the day. Many home remedies lack scientific backing, may not work for all an,d have potential side effects or cause allergies due to the use of natural ingredients. They should complement, not replace, professional medical advice.
Honey oatmeal face mask to refresh and replenish: Combine honey and mashed oatmeal for a gentle exfoliating and moisturising mask. Leave on for 15 minutes, then rinse.
Avocado and coconut oil hair mask to nourish: Mash avocado with coconut oil for a deeply nourishing mask. Apply to hair and scalp, leave on for 30 minutes, then wash and condition as usual.
Egg and banana hair mask for a moisture boost: Mix one egg yolk with mashed banana for a protein and moisture boost. Apply to hair, leave on for 20 minutes, then wash and condition.
Coffee and coconut oil body scrub for exfoliation: Mix used coffee grounds with brown sugar and coconut oil for a gentle body scrub. Massage onto the skin in circular motions, then rinse.
Soothing oatmeal bath: Grind oats into a fine powder and add to your bathwater for a soothing soak.
Honey and olive oil Hand and foot pack: Mix honey with olive oil for a moisturising mask. Apply to hands and feet, wear socks/gloves, and leave on overnight.
Coconut oil and sugar hand and foot scrub: Mix coconut oil with brown sugar for a gentle exfoliating scrub. Massage onto hands and feet, then rinse.
Honey and sugar lip scrub: Mix honey with sugar for gentle exfoliation. Gently massage onto lips, then rinse with lukewarm water.
Avocado and shea butter lip balm: Mash avocado with shea butter for a nourishing lip balm. Apply as needed.
Adapted from: The Voice of Fashion
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