26 Natural ways for winter skin care

Our skin does amazing function of protecting us from harsh weather. In return it pays the toll. The health of our skin is affected greatly during changes in weather and hence it is of utmost importance that we take precautionary measures to protect it. During the winter season, the skin loses its moisture content and tends to get dry, which if left uncared for can lead to chapped and irritated skin. There are thousands of cosmetic products available in the market that offers protection to the skin. However, if you are looking for inexpensive and natural methods to take care of your skin, there are plenty of effective home remedies that you can easily resort to.

Petroleum jelly and Glycerine are most commonly used winter care products. Petroleum jelly has the ability to moisturize your skin and provide relief from dry skin conditions. It can be safely used on your lips, heels or any part of the body that is affected by dryness. Glycerine also eliminates various skin problems associated during winter. It protects skin from loss of moistures and keeps skin hydrated, prevents dryness and makes skin soft.

Tips for winter skin care

During the winter season, it is important that you eat a healthy diet in order to maintain the health of your skin. Your diet should consist of food rich in nutrients like vitamin and minerals. It is also important to stay hydrated by drinking lot of water or other fluids. Additionally here is a list of home remedies that you can use to take care of your skin during the winter season:

Aloe vera gel

Aloe vera is a wonderful plant that has been associated with many health benefits including skin care. This extraordinary medicinal plant, as per research contains 150 active nutrients. It is a major ingredient in many natural skin care products. Instead of using these products, it is more effective if you take out the gel directly from the aloe vera plant and apply it on your face. The gel acts as a great moisturizing agent and prevents your skin from getting dry during the winter season. It seals moisture in the skin and keeps skin hydrated and rejuvenated. Additional benefit over other cosmetic moisturizer is that it is not greasy.

[Read more about benefits of Aloe vera for skin]

Papaya face pack

Another way to get glowing skin in the winter season is to apply a papaya face pack. Cut a ripe papaya into pieces and mash it well. To this, add few a drops of lemon juice and milk. Apply this mixture on the face and gently massage for about a minute or two. Papaya contains antioxidants and it also moisturizes the skin. Papaya also functions as an exfoliant by removing dead skin cells. Using the papaya face pack helps in rejuvenating your skin, thus making it look younger and supple.

Coconut Oil massage

Nothing is as simple and as cheap solution for winter care than Coconut oil. Massaging your skin with coconut oil will bring an instant glow to your skin. Apply the lukewarm oil all over your skin and massage it gently. After a few minutes, wash it off with mild soap and pat dry. Your skin will be moisturized and will look shiny and glowing.

[Read more about amazing uses of coconut oil]

Rose with honey face pack

A mixture of rose water and honey is another effective home remedy to get rid of dry skin. Mix together equal quantities of honey and rose water and apply this pack on your face. Not only does this face pack remove dryness of the skin, it also imparts a wonderful shine and glow to the skin.

[ Did you know? honey can cure dandruff?Read more]

Avocado and papaya

As already mentioned, Papaya is an excellent remedy for treating dry skin. Papaya can also be used in combination with banana and avocado to get wonderful results. Make a paste with papaya, avocado and banana, and apply this mixture all over the face or skin. Leave the paste on the skin for about 15 minutes and then wash it off.  You can instantly see the results.

Almond and milk face pack

Milk is a superb moisturizer for the skin and almonds have high amounts of Vitamin E, which offers many health benefits to the skin. Applying a face pack made using these two ingredients will work wonders on the skin. It helps in reducing the dryness of the skin as well as in making it softer and shinier. Make a paste by mixing together one table spoon of almond powder and 2 table spoons of milk. Apply this paste on your face, leave it on for 15 minutes and then wash off with water.

Lemon

Lemon is a natural, inexpensive and easily available ingredient that can be used to get rid of dull and dry skin during winter. Lemon juice is rich in vitamin C, a powerful antioxidant that is proven to be good for the skin. The citric acid present in the juice is effective in exfoliating your skin and in removing the dry and dead skin cells.  It also promotes the growth of new cells. Mix together the juice of half a lemon and two tablespoons of honey. Apply this mixture on your skin to get relief from irritated and itchy skin during the cold winter months.

[Read more about benefits of lemon for skin]

Yogurt and buttermilk mixture

Yogurt is good for the skin as it rich in the mineral zinc and many other skin benefitting nutrients. Buttermilk helps to remove dryness and dullness of the skin in winter as it contains lactic acid that has a mild exfoliating property. Mix together equal quantities of yogurt and buttermilk and apply the mixture all over your body. Wash off with water after 15 to 20 minutes.

Egg yolk and olive oil

Olive oil is an excellent source of Vitamin E, vitamin K and antioxidants, all of which helps to maintain healthy skin. Egg yolk also contains essential nutrients that nourishes your skin and prevents it from drying. A face mask made by mixing egg yolk and olive oil, when applied on the skin two times a week helps in achieving glowing skin. Mix two egg yolks with two drops of olive oil and apply it on your face. Leave it on for about 20 minutes and then wash off with water.

[Read about skin benefits of Egg and olive oil]

Milk cream

Milk fats contain various nutrients for skin which keeps it healthy during winter. Apart from this it acts as good moisturizer. Simply apply fresh milk cream to your face and skin, leave it for 30 minutes before you take a bath.

Cucumber

Cucumber is a wonderful remedy to lighten your skin tone as well as to eliminate skin dryness. Mash the flesh of a cucumber and apply this paste on your body. Wash it off after half an hour. If repeated twice a week, you are sure to get smooth and glowing skin.

Oatmeal face pack

Oatmeal face pack is excellent for cleansing your skin as it helps in exfoliating the skin and removing all dirt and dead skin cells. Mix half a cup of oatmeal and a few drops of lemon juice and apply this mixture on to your skin. Leave it on for about 15 to 20 minutes and wash off using lukewarm water.

Honey and sugar scrub

Honey is a yet another ingredient that helps in restoring the moisture of the skin, leaving it with a shine and glow. A mixture of honey and sugar, when used as a scrub is very effective in exfoliating the skin and since we are using natural ingredients, it is not too harsh on the skin either.

Banana and yogurt

A mixture of banana and yogurt not only hydrates the skin, but also exfoliates and removes dirt and dead cells. A face pack can be prepared by mixing mashed bananas with yogurt. Apply this paste on the skin and leave it on for about half an hour. After that rinse off with lukewarm water.

Castor oil

Castor oil contains vitamin E and ricinoleic acid that nourishes your skin and protects it against dryness and the harsh effects of winter. This oil is easily absorbed into the skin and it also acts as a cleansing agent by removing all impurities. Read more about benefits of castor seed oil.

Watermelon seed oil

Watermelon seed oil offers essential fatty acids for skin growth. It is quickly absorbed by skin and as mild as baby skin oil. It has good moisturizing effect over skin and keeps skin glowing and soft during winter. Read skin benefits of watermelon seed oil here.

Sea buckthorn berry oil

Oil from sea buckthorn berry contains Vitamin A, Vitamin E and Omega 7 fatty acids which are of great use for skin during winter. It keeps skin hydrated and moist during winter. It also offers antioxidant properties which irrespective of season protects skin from aging. It offers good benefits for nourishment of skin. Just massage this oil to your face and skin during winter for benefits.

Argan oil

Argan oil is very good skin moisturizer. With dose of Vitamin E and fatty acids it hydrates skin and makes it smooth. It is absorbed easily by skin without making it feel greasy. Dry lips is problem in winter. Just add few drops of argan oil on lips and prevent them from cracking. You can also massage your feet and hands with argan oil as ideal solution for dry hands, brittle nails and cracked feet.

Hemp seed oil

Hemp seed oil is non greasy oil which doesn’t clog pores yet offers Vitamin E and fatty acids to skin and prevent them from drying. It works as good good moisturizer and helps rejuvenate skin.

Goat milk soap

Goats milk offers substitute for milk for sensitive skin. It is amazingly hydrating in nature and has excellent moisturizing effect. Did you know Clepatra used to bath with goat milk? With various milk proteins and fatty acids, goat milk is very hydrating in nature. You can use goat milk soap to cure dry and itchy skin.

Learn how to make goat milk soap at home.

Neem leaves

Neem leaves are powerful moisturizer and helps in eliminate skin dryness. It also helps in treating skin conditions like psoriasis and dandruff while offering anti bacterial effect to your skin.

Hibiscus flower

Hibiscus flower extracts have been long used in skin care. Today it is part of various skin cosmetics. Hibiscus flower extract is natural moisturizer and has astringent properties to maintain elasticity of skin especially during winter.

Rhubarb

Rhubarb offers various minerals, vitamins and other nutrients which protect skin during winter. It works well over cold sore. It offers enough moisture and fibers to the skin. Moist and sticky Rhubarb paste can be applied externally over the skin for enjoying its health benefits.

Milk and poppy seeds

Poppy seeds offer benefits to skin and used in Ayurveda to cure various skin diseases. Paste of milk soaked poppy seed is applied to skin as moisturizer and treat skin diseases. Poppy seed contains Linolec acid which is good for skin. It acts as moisturizer and provides smooth and soft skin. Milk or water soaked poppy seed can be grind along with lime juice to form a smooth poppy seed skin paste. This paste is used externally for treating itches and dry skin.

Juniper essential oil

Juniper berry oil is an excellent moisturizer that is helpful for people with dry skin. Massaging juniper berries essential oil into your skin is helpful in increasing blood circulation, toning your skin and keeping it moist.

Sesame Oil

Sesame oil is good for dry skin. Just massage dry parts of your skin with sesame oil during winter.

As the winter season approaches, it is time to take that extra care to ensure healthy skin. Now that you know some of the easiest and most effective home remedies to protect your skin, you can keep your skin looking beautiful and healthy all through the winter season.

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