Do you know what is not fun about winter? Well, besides like everything (except for skiing & snow-covered mountains & Christmas). Take caring of your skin, that’s what.
I don’t know about you, but my skin care routine always takes some seriously monumental work during the winter months. I haven’t always known the best way to care for it when the temperatures cool down, but through lots of time, trial and errors (and some motherly advice) I have learned how to keep myself from looking more human and less like a desert creature.
Below are the products (mostly natural, affordable items that you likely already have on hand) and ways that I use them.
Hair// Once a week use a couple of tablespoons of mayonnaise (the real stuff) and finger comb it through your hair. Twist it into a bun and cover with a shower cap. Let set for at least 30 minutes before rinsing out (thoroughly, unless you want to smell like salad dressing!). I also gently comb a few drops of olive oil through my hair anytime it starts to feel dry or the split ends start to show.
Eyes// The skin around my eyes tends to get drier than other areas, so in addition to my eye cream I like to use vitamin E oil to keep my lashes and eyes moist.
Lips// I have yet to find a better lip scrub than a mixture of 1 part honey to 1 part baking soda with just a drop of olive oil. Seal in your freshly scrubbed puckers with a coat of vaseline.
Face// Since skin tends to be more sensitive in the winter, it’s a good idea to use products that aren’t as harsh. Instead of always using my regular (rougher) face scrub, I like to gently slough of the dry skin with a paste of baking soda and water. I will also frequently moisturize my face with either vitamin e or olive oil.
Body// More than ever it is crucial to keep your body hydrated and your skin moist by drinking lots and lots of water. My favorite way to keep my skin dewy and moist is, in addition to my regular body lotion, with baby oil. Keep a spray bottle full in the shower and after every shower, spray yourself with the oil, then gently pat dry.
Hands// Although it can be messy, honey is the secret to getting the smoothest hands ever. Just cover your hands, sit for 10-15 minutes and rinse off. I keep my cuticles moist by rubbing in olive oil and vaseline makes for an excellent hand cream.
In addition to my “home remedies”, I also heavily rely on the below “tried & true” products during the cold winter months.
Cucina Hand Butter//Fresh Sugar Lip Balm//Anne Marie Borlind Eye Cream//Anne Marie Borlind Night Cream//Moisturizing Hand Gloves// Moisturizing Socks (not pictured)
I have ridiculously sensitive and dry hands and the Cucina cream (that my mother-in-law introduced me to a few years back in Quebec City) has been the one and only cream that has ever helped my hands. I only wish it hadn’t taken me 21 years of miserably dry hand agony to find it!
My eternally dry lips only get some relief when I use the Fresh Sugar lip balm….that stuff works wonders!
The Anne Marie Borlind products are used by almost all the women in my family and since they all have amazing skin, I naturally followed in their foot steps. These products are amazing and luxurious and the best part is they are all natural. If you need further proof as to why you should use them, look at grandmother….she is 95, yet doesn’t look a day over 80 and I know it’s because of her excellent choice in skin care.
