The season of merriment is here and we cannot keep calm to lay our hands on those warm, colourful cardigans, a cup of perfectly brewed coffee, gorgeous wedding lehngas, or simply sit and enjoy the chill in the air. This season teaches us humility and gratitude as we leave behind a year, hold the good memories close to our hearts, seek blessings, move on and look forward to new beginnings. While there is everything to love about this season, like everything else in life, winter too has a not-so-loveable side.
As much as you love the cold air blowing across your face and the fluffy layering of clothes and the cosy, warm blankets, they are not friendly to your skin and your skin silently sustains damage.
Dry skin is a common condition in winter. The reasons contributing to dryness and skin irritation range from the cold air, use of room heaters and layers of clothing. As mercury dips, many of us tend to go for hot showers and room heaters. As a consequence, it strips away the humidity in the air. Less humidity results in less moisture in the epidermis, the outermost layer of the skin which acts as a skin barrier against harmful toxins. Hot baths, use of air heaters, the cold, harsh air of winter, and prolonged use of warm clothing, zap the moisture level and the lipids in our skin, resulting in drier, flakier skin in these colder months. Hence one needs to take extra care of the skin. Besides drinking a lot of water and cutting down on tea/ coffee intake and hot showers, we can also incorporate a variety of body oils into our daily skincare routine. Studies suggest oils penetrate deeper into the skin than creams, lock the moisture into the skin and improve skin tone and elasticity.
Here is a list of oils that should be part of your daily grooming pratices this winter. Make no mistake, these oils have traditionally been part of our skincare regimens.
Jojoba oil: According to the National Library of Medicine (National Centre for Biotechnology Information) (an official website of the United States government), “Jojoba oil is composed of almost 98 per cent of pure waxes (mainly wax esters, few free fatty acids, alcohols, and hydrocarbons), sterols, and vitamins with few triglyceride esters, so it is widely known as liquid wax rather than oil or fat”. Loaded with antioxidants and vitamins, this oil, also known as jojoba extract, is derived from the seeds of the jojoba shrub. This oil improves skin barrier, keeps the skin moisturised, prevents excess sebum production by our body’s sebaceous glands, hydrates dry and flaky skin, makes the skin soft and supple, reduces fine lines and wrinkles, and helps treat acne, psoriasis and eczema. This oil is suitable for sensitive skin as well. Jojoba oil can be made a part of your nighttime skincare routine and can be used as a makeup remover too by dabbing it on the face with cottonballs. To reap the benefits even more, mix it up with shea butter and enjoy shiny, smooth skin.
Almond oil: We all know the multiple health benefits of including almonds in your daily diet and almond oil will be your best companion in this season of meeting and greeting. Rich in Vitamin E and anti-inflammatory properties, almond oil can be used to treat dark circles and puffiness under our eyes, dry skin and wrinkles. You can apply it to your face before going to sleep every night. In wintertime, our scalp also becomes very dry and patchy. Massaging our head with almond oil can help reduce dandruff. The Vitamin E present in almond oil helps smoothen out the skin.
Argan oil: This is derived from the kernels of the fruits of the Argan tree. Local women in the arid mountains of Southern Morocco have been harvesting Argan oil and incorporating it into cooking for ages. Now the oil is acknowledged by the global beauty industry for its uber-skincare and anti-ageing properties. Packed with antioxidants, Vitamin E and Omega-3 fatty acids, this oil protects the skin from harsh cold weather with its natural moisturising properties. Due to its non-greasy nature, this oil does not clog your pores and controls natural sebum production. Frizzy hair and winters are almost synonymous with each other. Argon oil will be your go-to beauty solution to tackle frizzy hair and split ends. And it can also easily replace your regular paraben-based lip balms.
Avocado oil: An excellent source of Vitamin E and packed with antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties, this amber-coloured slightly fatty liquid, also called a carrier oil, is extracted from the pulp and the seed of the fruit that is known for its multiple medicinal benefits when incorporated in daily diet. The oil replenishes and calms itchy, dry, chapped skin and also significantly protects the skin against sun damage by blocking the harmful ultraviolet rays of the sun. It also adds the required moisture and hydration to the skin.
Flaxseed oil: Packed with essential fatty acids, this oil is derived from the seeds of the flax plant. Packed with essential fatty acids, this oil helps lock moisture into your skin and preserves the natural skin barrier and keeps irritants away. You can also simply use flax seed as a body scrub by mixing it with coconut oil and brown sugar. This combination will bless you with silky smooth skin. The Vitamin E present in this oil promotes hair growth.
Lavender oil: Derived from the flower spikes of the Lavender plant, this essential oil soothes multiple skin problems in this season of icy wind and harsh weather conditions. If you are suffering from dry lips, which is common in winter, enjoy a huge relief by simply dabbing a few drops of this oil on your chapped lips. Revitalise your winter skin with this aromatic oil that reduces inflammation and redness.
Olive oil: Olive oil is long known for its dietary benefit when used in cooking. Do you know it can also be a huge part of your daily winter care routine? The benefits are double mixed with mustard oil. Packed with antioxidants and Omega-3 fatty acids, olive oil slows down skin ageing and improves skin elasticity, making it look radiant and youthful. It also eases dryness and inflammation.
Tea tree oil: Derived by steam distillation of leaves of tea tree, this oil is ideal for treating many skin conditions and healing wounds. However, make sure to not directly apply it to your skin. It must be mixed with any of these carrier oils like almond oil, coconut oil and olive oil before application. Avoid the eye area as this oil might cause irritation. Known for its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, this oil helps tackle redness, dryness, itchy skin, acne scars and dark spots. A mixture of tea tree oil, walnut beads and tulsi will make for an excellent face scrub.
Before using any of these oils, make sure to do a patch test. Proceed with infusing these oils in your skincare routine only if there is no irritation and other adverse effects on skin.
