During the winter months it is more important than ever to stay on top of your self-care rituals. When it comes to our skin, hair, and lips, one word comes to mind – dry. Between the lack of humidity, cold temps and dry air from out indoor heat, it’s easy to neglect our physical wellbeing and slump into a sea of ashy skin, tangled locks and chapped lips.
Following these tips below will help you to avoid being a hot mess this winter!
Coconut (and other oils) are Your Friend
Coconut oil is one product that can be used for everything, from our hair, lips, and bodies. That being said, using simply coconut oil, although cost effective, is not always enough to keep your body hydrated enough. There are however, other products on the market that are infused with coconut oil and other natural oils that are sure to lock in moisture.
One that I absolutely love is Burt’s Bee’s moisturizing lip balm. It contains sunflower oil, coconut oil, beeswax, shea butter, and castor oil to name a few key ingredients. Unlike traditional lip balms that contain petroleum, parabens, and fragrances, Burt’s Bee’s is Paraben (preservatives) free and full of hydrating oil sand will leave your lips moist and kissable for any unexpected trips under the mistletoe.
Another great product containing coconut oil as a main ingredient is Shea Butter’s African Black Soap Deep Cleansing Shampoo. Other ingredients in this eczema friendly shampoo include Neem Seed, Tea Tree, and Jojoba Oils and all of the ingredients are certified organic. One of the many reasons this is such a good hydrating shampoo is that it does not contain alcohol like other popular brands. Every ingredient provides a benefit, and has one goal in mind, keeping your locks moisturized. Pair it with Coconut & Hibiscus Curl & Shine Conditioner .
Protect Your Face at All Costs
The temperature may be low but that doesn’t mean that the sun can’t do damage to our skin. It’s important even during the winter months to use a moisturizer that contains a strong SPF. According to Deidre Ramdhanie, Senior Educator for the International Dermal Institute, “rain or shine UVA (ultra violet aging) rays are always penetrating through the atmosphere. This is what breaks down collagen & elastin and is the leading culprit of fine lines, wrinkles & loss of firmness”. In order to combat sun damage, fine lines, and wrinkles, Dermalogica’s Dynamic Skin Recovery protects the skin while retaining moisture and preventing agents using peptides, white tea, licorice, and vitamin e as ingredients to name a few. Although it comes with a slightly heftier price tags than some over the counter SPF’s the quality ingredients alone make it oh so worth it.
Body Butter Your Way to Smooth Skin
I recommend anything with Shea Butter, however, The Righteous Butter by Soap&Glory contains not only Shea Butter, but also coconut oil, and Cocoa Seed butter. As an added perk, this body butter is made with Soap&Glory original pink fragrance, and smells of Citrus, Jasmine, Patchouli, Peach, and Strawberry, so you can feel good and smell heavenly to boot.
Get a Pedicure
Cracked heels and alligator toes are not the business, and although many people skip the Pedi during the winter since “nobody is going to see them anyway” remember, self-care is for you, not others. You’ll sleep better knowing you have polished and moisturized feet at night.
Stay Hydrated, Try Warm Green Tea with Citrus
Our bodies tend to get dehydrated just as much during the winter months as they do in summer. To help combat dehydration, and lurking sinus issues, drink plenty of fluids. My favorite during the winter is warm green tea with 1 key lime squeezed into it. Green tea is full of antioxidants that help us look and feel young and key limes help fight infections and provide a boost of vitamin c to help keep your skin elastic during the winter months.
Keep in mind, although we should consume more liquids during winter, doesn’t mean we should be taking extra-long baths and showers, as a rule, it’s best to take quick showers to wash hair as little as possible to avoid the drying out that hot water brings during the cold months.
Elizabeth Aguirre is a Digital Writer and Retail Design Project Manager living and working in Chicago, Il. When she’s not tweeting about social justice issues, she can be found meditating or blogging at cultureofthechi.com.
