My winter skin and hair care routine

My beauty routine for winter is very simple. All the aids that I use are usually natural and inexpensive and most of these are already present in your kitchen cupboard and home garden while a few others can easily be bought from the local stores and supermarkets. Here’s how I use them to my advantage.

As the lips are the fastest to dry during this time of the year, they need to be kept moisturized always. Firstly, I gently exfoliate the lips by applying fresh butter on them and then use a toothbrush or a wet cloth to sweep off the dry flakes. Then I mix a little honey and glycerin and apply it to my lips. This remedy is excellent to prevent and treat chapped lips. I reapply this honey mixture on my lips several times during the day. Warm olive oil application also does the trick. I never bite or chew or lick my lips as such habits can break the fragile skin, making it prone to infection. Licking lips frequently makes them rough and prone to chapping as the enzymes from the saliva work on it to evaporate the moisture.

For my face, I use a mild scrub once in a week followed by a good hydrating face pack. Sloughing off skin cells in winter with a scrub won’t harm your already dried-up skin; in fact, it helps to maintain the skin’s natural moisture level. Removing this outer-most layer of dead skin buildup actually aids in the absorption of other moisturizing products. Usually I apply fresh aloe vera on my skin, which deeply nourishes it. Sometimes I also use honey to which a few drops of rose water and glycerin is added and spread it all over my face and neck. This keeps my face radiant and glowing.

With regard to my hands and feet, I constantly apply body lotion and moisturizer whenever my skin feels dry and make it a point to do this even before going to bed.

As the soles of feet tend to crack more in winter, I pamper them with a relaxing foot-bath and slough off the flaky skin with a pumice stone, after which I apply petroleum jelly on them. I also take time to indulge in that luxury called ‘oil bath’ at least thrice in a week in this season. This pre-bath oil massage with olive oil or coconut oil keeps my skin silky smooth and soft. When I don’t have time for a special ‘oil bath’, I add a few drops of almond oil or olive oil to the water that I am using to bath. This helps retain the moisture lost when bathing.

I have oily hair, so it doesn’t pose much of a problem in winter. I wash it once a week with a mild herbal shampoo which is followed by an herbal rinse to give it bounce and shine. I never wash my hair before oiling it well. This is usually followed by a good conditioning hair pack before shampooing which I keep on for 20-30 minutes before rinsing it off. Generally, I prefer to massage it with aloe vera gel for a few minutes for a deeper conditioning. This helps to soften my hair significantly. As this is time when hair mostly tends to split, I trim my hair once in a week (my hair grows very fast…) to prevent split ends from working their way up the hair shafts.

I follow a diet which consists of a lot of lentils, veggies like drumstick, salads, and vitamin-C rich foods like amla (Indian gooseberry), lime/lemon and oranges and fruits like bananas. There is no major change in my diet , as such during winter. However I see to it that my fluid intake is considerable to keep myself hydrated well from the inside. Also I don’t miss my daily exercise routine of Pranayam and Yoga.


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63 comments:

  1. Thanks for the tips for getting through the winter without dry skin.

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  2. Hi Patricia, happy to know that you liked the post.

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  3. Anonymous11:22 AM

    Use the ice, and try bare minerals mineral veil. It actually feels "cool" (like, cold I guess...) when you put it on. I love it! It also makes your pores look smaller and its not too expensive, about $19 at Sephora. Also use oil absorbing pads, theyre really great, dont smudge makeup, and can stop breakouts

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  4. Anonymous5:51 PM

    Skin becomes dehydrated in the winter badly. Drink lots of water. Try doing a chemical peel or something, get all that dead skin off then hydrate like crazy. I have chemical peels monthly and epidermal leveling, afterwards I use Skin Medica Dermal Repair and Ceratopic Moisterizer. It's great, I live in Texas so we do not get a "real" winter, but the weather changes constantly around here, so my skin is always in "shock". I am a medical esthetician and have seen all types of skin conditions and this is the best skincare plan I have. FYI Vasaline is not good for your skin, it clogs your pores and causes more breakouts!

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  5. Anonymous1:01 PM

    The cold chapped the skin causing dryness.
    You just need to buy a moisturizing lotion
    and apply a lot!

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  6. Anonymous12:35 PM

    I have tried the sugar thing and it basically gets the dead skin off but I apply any kind of chap stick then rub sugar onto my lips and It really helps just make sure that you are gentle

    after you do this apply a chapstick of your choice (I'd recommend Blistex or Soft Lips brand) and your lips should be good as new

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  7. Anonymous9:43 AM

    Great blog. Those are some great winter skin care tips.

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  8. Anonymous5:00 PM

    Moisten your lips with water, with a soft baby tooth brush, gently scrub the dry skin off your lips. Then apply a mixture of Vaseline and honey on your lips. Leave on for ten minutes then wash off with warm water.

    You can also apply pure glycerin e on your lips to get relief from dryness.

    Keep a chap stick with you at all times and apply on your lips whenever they feel dry.

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  9. Anonymous10:29 AM

    The single most important goal in caring for the skin is to protect it against ultraviolet
    light. Regardless of your skin color or type (or your age), you must avoid overexposure
    to the sun’s ultraviolet rays. Doing this will prevent unnecessary deterioration of the
    skin, and eventually, skin cancer. Dark skin tolerates more sun than fair skin, but any
    skin can be damaged from overexposure. Warm (never hot) water with mild soaps
    should be used to cleanse the skin.

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  10. Can I marry you? you sound like such a gorgeous individual!

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  11. Chapped lips are a common problem in winter months. We tend to make the problem worse by licking our lips to give them moisture, but, as that evaporates they tend to dry out even more. To add to the problem, our lips tend to him as we age and are more susceptible to cracking. Use a lip balm with at least SPF 15 and preferably one with antiseptic agents. Some lip balm products are made with tea tree oil, which is healing for cracks and winter sores. Other good ingredients in lip balms include beeswax, phenol, aloe, vitamin E, and essential oils. Remember to apply frequently throughout the day. If you get a salve rather than a stick, it is a good idea to use a toothpick or small makeup spatula, rather than your fingers, to apply the product; fingers can transfer germs into the container, onto your lips, then into your mouth, etc

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  12. Anonymous5:34 PM

    Health-care from the inside out. Extra vitamins are a must during the cold weather, when we are bombarded with germs and bacteria and our immune system’s resistance seems to be weaker. The best thing for skin is good nutrition. Dark green leafy vegetables are excellent preventing some skin dryness, cracking, and other problems. Take supplement vitamins A, B-complex, C, and E, along with a multimineral. Important: drink plenty of water, which moisturizes your skin from the inside out.

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  13. Anonymous4:04 PM

    There are some very important things you can do to take care of your skin and make sure that you are protecting it from signs of aging. Keep your skin hydrated and supple with a great moisturizer. Organic Shea Butter is a moisturizer, but studies show that it can do much more. It actually has anti-aging properties which fight lines and wrinkles, dull skin and dryness. This will help immensely in the fight against aging. Shea Butter contains Vitamins A and E, and is a great source of specific healthy fats and acids which are great for your skin. In fact, some studies show that you can tell a difference in the way your skin looks in just 4 to 6 weeks. Smoother, softer and supple skin can all be achieved with Shea Butter, and it also protects your skin from the sun.

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  14. Anonymous4:38 PM

    Avoid soaps as far as possible. Switch to a soap-free cleanser that will moisturize your skin as it cleans, Moisturisers must be applied directly onto moist skin after a bath, so that they can lock in the moisture. Pat your skin semi-dry with a towel after bathing and apply the lotion while you're still in the bathroom.

    ~ For the face, continue to use moisturisers with sunscreen. A drop in the environmental temperature does not mean that the ultraviolet rays of the sun do not exert an effect. UV damage is, in fact, more of a risk in winter, as we tend to spend long hours basking in the sunlight, enjoying its warmth. Reapply moisturizers every 3-4 hours, especially if you're in a closed, centrally-heated room.
    For chapped lips, petroleum jelly or olive oil remains the best bet. For cracked soles, soak your feet for 10 minutes in warm water each night, pat dry and apply a mixture of Propysalic-E ointment and a moisturizing cream. Cover feet with cling film or socks overnight. A word of caution -- badly cracked soles may be a sign of the disease psoriasis -- please consult a dermatologist if this is the case. Drink plenty of water to keep your skin and hair hydrated. Use a natural moisturising scrub -- grind sesame seeds and mix with milk or cream. Apply before your bath and scrub off for instantly smooth, moisturised, glowing skin.

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  15. Pratima2:47 PM

    After coming out of the shower, use a nice moisturizer to moisturize the entire body. Apply the moisturizer by gently massaging it on the skin. Massage until the moisturizer is completely observed in the skin. Select a moisturizer that contains zinc oxide and sun protection formulae. Skin requires sun protection in every season.

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  16. Aswini3:33 PM

    Add an egg white to your regular shampoo for a thick and glossy hair treatment. For an inexpensive facial mask beat a few egg whites until they get foamy. Then spread them over your face and let them dry. Wash off the egg white mask with cool water to reveal tighter pores and firmer, refreshed skin. Don't apply an egg white mask any more than once per week, or the skin will get used to egg white and have less effect each time.

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  17. Bhagirathi4:41 PM

    Try aloe Vera on hair as a gel, it leaves hair softer and locks in moisture for longer periods of time

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  18. Bhagyashri3:22 PM

    Nicely written. The tips that you have given are quite helpful; I would definitely like to try these

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  19. Prajvala4:29 PM

    Regular application of the paste of banana helps to keep the restoring the normal color of dark lips although it takes long time to restore natural color in its visible prominence.

    Similarly application of unflavored yoghurt helps restoring the normalcy in skin tone of the discolored lips on diligent use. However, in both of the applications, if the coating of yogurt or banana paste can be retained on the lip overnight, you can expect comparatively faster recovery from the problem.

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  20. Kshama10:05 AM

    Natural air drying is the most preferred option of hair drying; unless it is an emergency, hair dryer should not be used. If it is used even, you should use it from a distance so that the artificial dry air should not impact adverse on hair quality. In case of colored hair, the use of hair drier should be restricted in order to avoid adverse impact of dry and brittleness in hair tone.

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  21. Champa11:33 AM

    Keep hair soft, whether as a retro-inspired up-do, in a tousled chignon, or long and lustrous, but not pin straight or too tightly slicked back.

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  22. Skincare expert12:06 PM

    chemical free bath products are formulated for cleansing and relaxation. Tea Tree is our main ingredient in our bath products which cleanses your hair and body without harmful abrasive chemicals

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  23. One natural way of keeping the skin more beautiful is to give yourself a dry skin exfoliation. This is when a soft, natural brush is used to remove all of the dead skin cells. Dry skin exfoliation should be done before taking a shower. This is the best way of detoxing the skin. Because the skin is the body’s largest organ, it is important to keep it clean and healthy. In giving yourself a dry skin exfoliation, you are also helping to increase lymph and blood circulation. This can reduce puffiness. The added benefit to dry skin exfoliation is that the gentle pressure calms the nervous system.

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  24. Rakesh10:17 AM

    Drink lots of water - even when you don’t feel thirsty. Many people drink less water during the winter months than they do in the summer and that’s bad for your skin’s moisture content.

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  25. Consume foods containing healthy fat, such as walnuts, flax, and fish. Omega-3’s help to maintain your skin’s natural oil barrier which helps protect it against the elements. It also helps to keep you skin looking great and aids in reducing acne. Consider taking fish oil supplements.

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  26. Suruchi8:35 AM

    Dry, flaky lips can also be rejuvenated with a liberal application of pure coconut oil on them

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  27. Prachi8:18 AM

    sounds like a very good plan!

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  28. Suhani9:31 AM

    take 2 pinches of sugar granules on your palm and add few drops of almond oil. Scrub gently on your lips. This will remove the existing dead layer and help lower cells to multiple to form new layer.

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  29. Nandita10:08 AM

    To get chlorine out of your hair, mix baking soda with your shampoo and apply to hair.

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  30. Good article, I get those all the time in the winter!
    Very annoying and the skin looks splotchy from far away.. these tips will help (:

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  31. Ichcha11:01 AM

    Take Cod Liver OIl Tablets & Vitamin E Tablets daily.
    Eat lots of veggies and fruits for essential vitamins.
    Drink a glass of warm water with lemon juice squeezed in it once a day to detox
    No fizzy drinks/processed foods. Eat lots of fish & pulses like lentils.
    Work out daily, even if its a walk or lifting some weights for a few mins.
    Try making your own 'super juices' with veggies and fruit juices mixed up. Try aloe vera juice shots.
    Use natural products on your face such as sweet almond oil, or coconut oil. If youve got spots of blemishes use tea tree oil.
    Drink green tea daily - as many cups as poss. (6cups per day is recommended).

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  32. Use Accutane for cracked lips

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  33. Anonymous11:26 AM

    In three words I can sum up everything I've learned about life: It goes on.

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  34. unknown5:26 PM

    the cheapest best working way is rubbing alcohol 1nce in the morning && 1nce after bout 3 days all your dead skin will b gone && if you have acne it'll work really good too unless you have intense acne i suggest using a cleanse for acne too as followed with the rubbing alcohol cuz the alcohol will kill the crap that is creatn the dead skin.

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  35. Anonymous5:28 PM

    most every cause of acne is related to what you eat, how you feel and how you take care of yourself. Your skin is a reflection of what's on the inside. We have lots of toxins building up in our systems and they have to be cleaned out on the inside and that will reflect on the outside. The blemishes, rashes, acne, etc are indications that your body is reacting to what you're eating, to stress, toxins, chemicals, hormones... literally a great number of things.

    Basically what I did in a nutshell was clean out my system by taking out the processed and junk foods, and added as much fresh fruits and vegetables to my diet as possible. This part is key. I also started drinking a lot of water daily, starting with 3 or 4 glasses when I wake up (adding a squeeze of fresh lemon at times). I also got more active every day, walking, running, sports, jumping, whatever, just getting active. It not only gave me more energy, it help flush out the toxins that were clogging up my system.
    Did you know 90% of acne is caused by 3 major factors? Find out exactly what
    they are and how easily it is to solve them here

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  36. Kratika8:38 AM

    When I have chapped or severely dry lips, I use XBALM.

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  37. Kangana9:44 AM

    chap lips is a Sign of being dehydrated drink more water and don't lick your lips a lot make sure to keep up with the water intake cut back on the tea and or sodas its really easy to keep your lips soft and moist

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  38. Anonymous8:34 AM

    1. Drink plenty of water,
    2. Avoid stressful situations; do yoga/meditation to reduce stress,
    3.Have a balanced diet containing lot of fresh fruits and leafy vegetables,
    4.Do not blow dry too close to the scalp,
    5.Do not brush wet hair; instead use a wide-tooth comb
    Further, The faster way to really change the health of your hair is by taking supplements that work internally on the follicle where hair is made; that can only happen with systemically provided support, which means supplements that you take internally. Suggest you to use a herbal supplementation formulated from the best known herbs for healthy hair growth from roots. The rare herbs and active ingredients that help so are Fo-Ti, Stinging Nettle, Kelp, SawPalmetto, Silica, Rosemary, Inositol, Biotin and Horsetail. ++++ SheaNut Butter, of course !

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  39. Kamal4:35 PM

    You need to extra moisturize in the winter. When you wash your face, use a moisturizer for extra dry skin directly before applying your regular moisturizer. I use Mary Kay and they have a great lotion that I use year round and especially in the winter, its an intense moisturizing lotion that comes in just a little jar. It's ike $30 but well worth it.

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  40. Nimish4:36 PM

    keep warm the blood is rushing to your face to keep it warm

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  41. Anonymous7:59 AM

    Expose Your Natural Beauty with Exfoliants
    Dermatologists and cosmeticians agree (and they rarely agree) that exfoliation should be part of a beauty regimen for your skin. Exfoliation removes old dead skin cells from Irface of the skin.

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  42. Avoiding sedentary lifestyle and adopting a health conscious vision towards life can be very beneficial for all of us. Exercise and a simple walk daily can be the initial steps towards the goal of achieving a healthy life.

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  43. Kausal3:44 PM

    During winter follow these
    When exercising, find an activity that you enjoy that gets your heart pumping, and do it most days of the week for at least a half hour.
    It takes at least ten seconds of rubbing your hands together to wash away germs. If you can't get to a sink, use a hand sanitizer like Purell, which is 62 percent alcohol.

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  44. Anonymous3:45 PM

    Eat fruits which contain vitamin c, such as oranges, kiwi or paprika or drink their juices. Many vegetables also contain vitamin c. Even when you are already cold you can avert the sickness by continual consuming large amounts of vitamin c. If you do end up getting sick, change your toothbrush as soon as you are well again. That will help ensure that you do not re-infect yourself.

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  45. Health Expert3:46 PM

    Wash your hands frequently. Many people get colds, flus, and viruses by not washing their hands. Some people don't even wash their hands with soap. The proper way to wash your hands is top put hot water on, apply a dollop of soap, and scrub your hands for about thirty seconds to a minute. Every time you cough, sneeze, or even touch somebodies hands, always wash your hands. Thousands of germs are on your hands every time you contact with another person and don't wash your hands.

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  46. David5:28 PM

    I use Lucas Papaw Ointment for my lips. It's very effective and spreads thickly on the lips unlike chap stick which spreads thinly and sometimes makes the dryness worse. I have thick lips which always chap quite severely in winter. This Papaw ointment never fails, and I highly recommend it. Look it up. it is also cheap. I paid $7.00.

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  47. Gurumati10:41 AM

    Dry skin should exfoliate 1-2 times a week. Oily skin should exfoliate 2-3 times a week.

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  48. Snithi10:44 AM

    I exfoliate my lips with a toothbrush about once a month and put lipbalm on before going to bed if my lips are dry

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  49. Abhilasha10:45 AM

    If my hair is wet before going to bed, I braid my hair. A looser braid = looser waves in the morning!

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  50. Savita9:24 AM

    Almond oil has the same soothing, nourishing and vitaminizing effects. It’s a rich source of proteins, vitamin E, magnesium and phosphorus. In addition, almond is rich in zinc, cuprum, manganese and the B vitamins essential for healthy and beautiful skin. Don’t forget about skin protection creams. “Winter” thick creams are usually enriched with vitamins and useful substances.

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  51. Use some lip scrub. I have some ellana mineral lip scrub, it's really nice. :)

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  52. before you sleep at night, apply some vaseline on your lips
    the next mroning you wake up, they will be soft as ever

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  53. Anonymous10:57 AM

    Beeswax lip balms or Smith's Rosebud salve!

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  54. Pallavi11:08 AM

    Virgin coconut oil is one of the best natural hair conditioners and moisturizers to use. I also apply coconut oil to my skin in the shower. I find it makes an excellent natural skin moisturizer and conditioner. Since using coconut oil on my skin, I have stopped experiencing dry itchy skin - even during the cold, dry winter months.

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  55. Shivani9:21 AM

    "I am responsible for my own health and beauty. So I carefully choose what to eat and am very careful to what I put on my skin."

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  56. Antioxidant Serum protect your skin against the elements. Apply it directly to freshly cleaned skin to give you a flawless look even without makeup

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  57. Vatsala11:53 AM

    use a facial lotion that does not contain perfume or alcohol fifteen minutes before you apply makeup.

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  58. Prajay9:09 AM

    my advise is use Vaseline at day and 'ghee' at night because nobody will see you at night.

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  59. Preetam9:10 AM

    Hydration is necessary for
    achieving plump lips. Drink
    water as often as you can and carry a
    good lip balm with SPF with you.
    Before you get in the shower, rub a
    thick layer of petroleum jelly or honey
    on and around your lips but don't wipe
    it off in the shower. The steam will help
    it to penetrate, giving you smooth lips.
    Wipe off any residue when you're done.
    Make your own stuff : mix a small of
    amount of honey and a small amount of
    brown sre in a bowl then rub in on your
    lips for 3 minutes wipe it off and clean
    your lips off with a wet paper towel. Top it
    off with a layer of aquaphore once they
    are dry.

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  60. Heera9:30 AM

    Keep blistex silk and shine on your lips constantly for about two days this will heal them
    Ps this is not just Chapstick for girls

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  61. try Mixing a tablespoon of honey with enough sugar until you get a body-scrub like texture. Use a toothbrush to exfoliate your lips with the sugar scrub.

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  62. Ambika2:28 PM

    Never bite your lips to remove excess skin. This could cause tears and could lead to infection

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  63. Ramola5:50 PM

    Beware of the sun. It is bad for the skin.

    Eat healthy, milk cheese, fruits, vegetables, etc.

    Go to the gym, people that train in the gym usually look younger.

    Play indoor sports.

    Sleep 8 hours per day

    don´t smoke

    have a healthy life style

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