Dry and itchy skin is a common complaint during the cold winter months. We spend tons of money every year buying creams and lotions to combat the effects of the weather, when sometimes the most effective remedies are also the cheapest.
Natural ingredients will make your skin glow more than any chemically-filled solutions.
The following ingredients commonly found in the kitchen should have an important place in your bathroom, too.
Olive oil
It’s full of antioxidants and it doesn’t clog pores. Vitamin E accounts for anti-aging and anti-wrinkle properties that make olive oil a great base for homemade scrubs or moisturizers. It’s guaranteed to make your skin smooth and healthy.
Milk
Milk is full of fat and proteins that are an amazing cleanser for the skin and hair. It’s an excellent exfoliant as it contains enzymes that help shed dead skin cells. It’s also anti-inflammatory, so it’s great for sunburns or skin irritation.
Honey
Honey is full of antibacterial and antioxidant properties. It’s fantastic for acne, aging, and the complexion. It can be used alone or mixed together with oils to leave skin soft and hydrated.
Yogurt
Yogurt works the same way as milk and dissolves dead skin cells while working to diminish the appearance of lines and wrinkles in skin. Make sure to use plain yogurt.
Coconut oil
Coconut oil can be used as a moisturizer or mixed with other ingredients for a perfect finish. Fats in the oil are known to retain moisture in the skin. Your skin will be left soft and hydrated from coconut oil, but be careful as its been known to block the pores of some skin types.
Avocado
Avocados are known for their antioxidant and moisturizing properties. Avocados are known to protect the skin and are rumoured to prevent wrinkles. They contain Vitamin E and Vitamin C, which are essential to maintaining healthy skin. Mash some up and mix in any of the other ingredients to make a super-powered mask.
Oatmeal
Oatmeal will naturally and gently clean your pores while leaving a protective barrier on the skin. Either mix some up with warm water or honey and apply it directly to your face, or tie some up in an old stocking and toss it in your hot bath.
Sugar
Although it may cause you to break out when ingested, it works wonders when applied topically with ingredients like honey or coconut oil. Sugar will draw moisture from the environment into your skin. It’s also a great exfoliant for scrubbing away dead skin. Brown sugar is more gentle and better for the face than white or raw sugar.
Any of these ingredients can be mixed together to create a personalized and extremely hydrating concoction that can be used on the skin—or even the hair—to go up against this very windy winter. The cold may damage your spirit, but don’t let it damage your skin.
