Easy, Natural Care for Beautiful - Beauty and Makeup Tips

HYDRATION

The important way to keep your skin hydrated is to keep your body hydrated. In winter, your eight plus glasses of water a day becomes even more important. This is especially true during the holiday season when beverages of choice (coffee, wine, cocktails, etc) can further dry out our skin due to their diuretic effects.

BATHING TIPS FOR WINTER BEAUTY

While a steamy shower may sound temping after a winter blizzard, hot showers exacerbate dry skin. If the water is really hot, it breaks down healthy fats in the skin, drying it out. So in the dry winter months opt for a warm shower instead. Consider using a natural agave fiber wash cloth while bathing. It provides a gentle exfoliating action that removes dead skin cells and stimulates circulation to the skin’s surface. For whole body moisturizing, rub a non-clogging oil such as olive or almond oil over your arms, legs and torso immediately after showering before you dry off. Applying the oil when your skin is still warm and damp helps trap moisture in the skin before the pores close.

HEALTHY DIET = HEALTHY SKIN

As our skin is made of cells and our cells are made of fat it only makes sense that the type of fats we eat affect the health of our skin. Fish oils are a great source of EPA (Ecosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexanoic acid), which not only keep skin hydrated from the inside, but also decrease the redness and inflammation that is associated with many winter skin conditions. Antioxidants are naturally occurring chemicals in many foods that remove toxins or oxidants from our body and therefore prevent them from damaging our skin cells. Some of our favourite foods are great sources of antioxidants, such as, dark berries, green tea, red beans (kidney and pinto), apples and plums.

MOISTURIZING

In order to combat dry winter skin we need to attack it both internally and externally. However, many moisturizers on the market, including high-end, expensive brands work against dry skin as they contain ingredients, such as, alcohol, which suck moisture from the skin. Some of the best moisturizers, proven for all types of skin are simple non-clogging oils. For your face try an aromatherapy facial oil blend. Look for one that contains Rosa rubiginosa, (rose hip seed oil) and vetiver oil. These oils contain active ingredients, which enter deep into the dermis to prevent damage and moisture loss to regenerate and protect skin in cold and dry environments.

OATMEAL MASK

As we enter the holiday season and you begin baking up a storm in the kitchen, why not stock up on oatmeal to fulfill both your baking and skin’s needs and treat yourself to a homemade oatmeal mask. Simply add honey and egg whites to raw oatmeal flakes to create a pasty like substance, which can be applied all over your face, avoiding the eyes of course. Let it sit for 20 minutes while you relax, read or cozy up to the fire (although don’t get too close or you may end up with oatmeal cookies). The mask can then be easily washed off with lukewarm water and your face patted dry, leaving your skin feeling soft and refreshed. So let go of some stress this winter season keep it simple with your skin. With a few simple changes to your beauty routine your face will be as radiant as the season.