Aside from typical freezing cold temperatures and mountains of snow, the only thing that slightly annoys about winter is how my skin gets so dried out. No matter what I try, I always seem to get some sort of winter itch. (Granted, I’m talking about typical winters and not the freakishly mild one we’re experiencing this year.)
Instead of lathering on all sorts of lotions, there are some ways to find natural relief:
- Avoid taking long, hot showers. The hot water will dry your skin even more. Even though it’s cold out, try to take a short, cool shower.
- Once you’re done showering, be sure to moisturize. Simply smooth a dollop of coconut oil all over your skin – olive oil also is effective. (While the olive oil will leave a hint of smell, coconut oil is fairly unscented.)
- Speaking of olive oil, if your children are experiencing dry skin, give them a bath with a few drops of olive oil mixed in the bathwater. It will safely moisturize their skin.
- Olive oil also can help treat dry, frizzy hair. Massage about ¼ cup to ½ cup olive oil onto your scalp and hair. Wrap your hair in a hot towel and leave the oil on for about 30 minutes. Rinse your hair with warm water, then shampoo (at least twice). Once all the oil and shampoo is rinsed out, do a final rinse with cool water.
- If your skin is excessively dry, avoid alcohol and caffeine – both have dehydrating effects, which only adds to your dry skin.
- At night, sleep with a cool air humidifier on in your bedroom. (Be sure to empty the water every morning and fill with clean water every night.)
- Finally, here’s a recipe for Soothing Beeswax Body Lotion from Earth 911’s Mary Mazzoni:
How to make it
2. Gradually stir in 1 cup of the oil of your choice. Jojoba oil works great for sensitive skin or skin that is prone to breakouts, while avocado and grape seed oil soothe extra-dry skin. All can be found at your local health food store on the cheap.
3. Remove the mixture from heat, and stir in 4 tablespoons of aloe vera gel. If you have an aloe plant at home, just squeeze some gel out of an aloe leaf, or purchase pure aloe vera gel from your local natural foods store.
4. Use a hand blender or whisk to whip your lotion. Slowly add five tablespoons of water and continue to whip. The mixture should begin to thicken and resemble store-bought lotion. Add a few drops of essential oil, and mix some more.
5. Allow your lotion to set for at least 20 minutes before using, and store in a glass jar for up to two weeks.
Talk back
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Hi Hilary
Nice post. I now use 100% pure Coco butter, 100% unrefined Shea butter, with added natural vitamin E and 100% Coconut oil. Mix all together and there you have it, a nice natural body cream with all the benefits your skin needs. (I’m no expert though)
Thanks for the suggestions!