Just because it is winter you don’t need to look like something the cat brought in. More than peak winter, your skin suffers the most in the retreating winter as the weather gradually turns warmer. The air gets drier, cold winds blow incessantly, and your cheeks redden. Add to that, use of heaters and very hot water assists in drying out your skin further. Dry skin occurs when the outer skin fails to retain moisture to become crinkly, and sometimes scratchy. To keep looking dewy even in winter, there are certain essential steps you must take to protect your skin from the elements, and keep it refreshed.
Neem leaves, whether fresh or dried and powdered, work wonders in moisturizing and healing your skin. Add some to your bath water daily, and observe the magic unfold as people rave over your dewy look regardless of your age. If you are using powdered neem leaves, boil some in water, and add that water to your bath water. If you add it to your diet, it cleanses your blood, thereby giving you a very clear skin.
Did you think the only use honey has is to fight colds, weight loss, and for controlling blood sugar? You might often have been told to add a spoonful of honey to warm water and the juice of a lemon, drink on an empty stomach to help ease the bowels, and lose weight. Regular bowel movements will help keep your skin clear and glowing. Now, try using it as a moisturizer to protect yourself from dry skin. The biggest advantage of using honey on your skin is that it has antibacterial properties, and you can apply it directly to your skin without adverse side-effects. It serves to moisturize and heal your skin. If you are troubled by acne, honey will help to cure it by calming your skin thanks to the vitamin B in it.
For your face, you can make a mask with honey. Mash one ripe banana, blend it into a cup of yogurt, and two tablespoons of honey in a bowl. Cover the entire face including eyes, ears, and neck. Wash off gently with lukewarm water after 20 minutes to half an hour. Alternately, you could beat an egg, and add two spoons of honey. Apply the mask, and wash off after 30 minutes. Everybody who knows you will be amazed at the fresh new you.
Whatever the advertisements might tell you, remember that the best beauty aids are natural. And, what they definitely won’t tell you is that your diet will impact the quality of not just your health, but also of your skin, and overall looks. Drink plenty of water daily. It has been noted that drinking milk is more beneficial than applying it to moisturize your skin. Add two spoons of honey to half a cup of mashed ripe papaya, and use as a mask to clear pores, remove unsightly spots, and uneven skin tone. Let it sit for at least 20 minutes before rinsing it off with lukewarm water to display your radiant skin. Aloe vera gel too provides proven benefits in moisturizing dry skin.
You should include fruits and vegetables rich in vitamins B, B6, B12, C, and E. These will replenish the collagen under your skin, and help in retaining the moisture. Make sure you eat citrus fruits, fish, full grains like unpolished wheat and rice, and loads of green vegetables to naturally replenish the vitamins in your body. If you are a strict vegetarian, then you need to add avocados, spinach, broccoli, almonds, hazelnuts, peanuts, wheatgerm oil, sunflower seeds or oil, soybean oil, and most importantly natural, fresh cream and butter to your diet to ensure you get adequate vitamin E to keep your skin supple and soft even in winter.
You might have heard that applying natural oils like coconut oil, olive oil, mustard oil, sunflower seed oil, and sweet almond oil work wonders for the skin of your entire body, not just your hair. Surprisingly, olive oil is not as effective in helping skin retain moisture as coconut oil, petroleum jelly, and sweet almond oil. Many people dislike the smell that mustard oil leaves behind, and the way your skin smarts when you apply raw mustard oil. Take some mustard oil in a small pan; boil it with kalonji. Allow it to cool before use. Not only will it help prevent your skin from drying or cracking, and making it smooth; it will help to lock the moisture in.
Oatmeal scrub aids in exfoliating dead skin without drying out your skin. Take one-third cup of oatmeal, pour hot water into it, and allow it settle for a few minutes. Add two spoons of honey and the white of one egg, beat, and use as a mask. Before you wash your face with lukewarm water after ten to fifteen minutes, rub the mask off gently using circular movements. This will not only remove dead skin; it will rejuvenate and moisturize your skin. Moreover, oatmeal has anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant properties which will protect your skin from dryness. Blend one tablespoon of rice flour, half teaspoon honey with one teaspoon of cucumber juice, and use as a face mask to exfoliate and rehydrate your facial skin.
You can also exfoliate the dead skin from your face by using a weekly face pack of half a cup of mashed ripe bananas and two tablespoons of coconut oil. Alternatively, make a face pack with gram flour, fresh cream, half teaspoon turmeric, one teaspoon of honey, and a few drops of rosewater. Rub off gently using circular movements after 20 minutes. Rinse with lukewarm water, and pat dry with a soft towel. The rosewater not only refreshes your skin, it nourishes and moisturizes too.
Cracked feet are as unsightly as they are painful. Remember to clean them regularly with a pumice stone, and cover them after rubbing petroleum jelly on them. You can try rubbing aloe vera to lock in the moisture. Another little known method is to apply the juice of freshly crushed onions on the feet before going to bed. Wear socks, or cover by binding a soft cloth on the feet. Onions have anti-bacterial properties, and help the skin of the feet heal to remove cracks over a week’s regular use. It could take longer if you need to stand in water for long periods. Freshly ground henna (myrtle) leaves also heal the skin of your feet, and lock in the moisture.