The winter season brings cold temperatures, a significant drop in humidity, dry and gusty winds. Your skin is the largest organ in your body. It acts as a barrier to these harsh weather conditions. If you want to avoid dry, flaky, and cracking skin in this winter. Ayurvedic knowledge can help you nourish and hydrate your body all winter long. Winter season is the actual best time to nourish the skin, because the skin become dryer and more receptive during in this winter season. Skin appears to age in winter because it is Vata season. The Common symptoms include dryness, cracking, dullness, and roughness of the skin. If you have a predominantly Vata constitution, have a Vata-aggravating diet and lifestyle, or happen to be in the Vata time of life (starting in middle age), the effect is amplified.
NOURISH YOUR SKIN ACCORDING TO YOUR SKIN TYPE
Now here are some hints for nourishing your skin type in all the winter weather conditions.
For Vata Predominant Skin
- Lifestyle Suggestions are:
- Daily Organic Cured Sesame Oil massage
- Keep skin covered as much as possible
- Use natural fabrics such as silk or wool
- Walking or other light enjoyable exercise is recommended
- Use floral or herbal essences of rose and/or lavender in your bath
2. Dietary Suggestions are:
- Cook with cumin, coriander, and turmeric
- Eat plenty of cooked leafy green vegetables
3. Recommended the Herbal Products
- Skin Cream on face during the day with ghee
- Massaging with mahanarayana taila
- Can use Herbal Soap such as aloe Vera for face
For Pitta Predominant Skin
- Lifestyle Suggestions are:
- Daily oil massage with eladi coconut oil
- Brisk exercise
- Avoid excessive exposure to the sun
2. Dietary Suggestions are:
- Eat lots of sweet, juicy fruits
- Cook with cumin, coriander, fennel, and licorice
- Avoid hot, spicy foods
3. Recommended Herbal Products
- Herbal Massage with nalpamaradi Oil
- Using chandana and Haridra powder on the face
For Kapha Predominant Skin
- Lifestyle Suggestions are:
- Drink warm water through the day
- Daily warm oil, full-body massage
- Exfoliate non-facial skin periodically
2. Dietary Suggestions are:
- Cook with ginger, black pepper, turmeric, cumin, and coriander
- Avoid skipping meals
3. Recommended Herbal Products
- Stimulating Herbal Massage with sahacharadi taila
- Triphala paste can apply on the face
- Youthful Skin Herbal Soap for the face such as Himalaya Herbals Refreshing Cucumber Soap and Coconut Soap
Now here are the simple home Ayurveda skincare routines to make hydrate & protect your skin
- OIL MASSAGE
A warm Ayurvedic Abhyanga massage administered before your bath or shower is an excellent method of hydrating the skin and improving circulation. This practice will lubricate and protect your skin, giving your complexion a radiant sheen that lasts throughout the day. Both ghee and coconut oil have natural fats that get absorbed by the skin. Ghee is also considered as one of the best natural anti-ageing solutions, and a great ingredient for skincare.
- NATURAL MOISTURIZERS
In winter it’s especially important to avoid harsh cleansers that dry out the skin. Use a chemical-free Ayurvedic moisturizer to ensure that your skin stays hydrated for a longer period of time, while minimizing the chances of side effects. Using aloe Vera gel for moisturizing is great, as it can keep the moisture sealed, while also healing the skin. It is very effective in treating acne, scars, and spots. Before buying a moisturizer, make sure that the oils it contains are healthy ones.
- WEAR NATURAL FIBERS
Wear clothing made from organic, natural fibers such as wool or silk, because these are gentle on your skin, allow the skin to breathe better, and do not contain harmful toxins. If your skin tends to chafe with wool, try organic cotton. Always dress in layers, so you can add or remove layers for comfort. Bundling up too much can cause moisture loss through sweat.
Some Home Remedies are:
1) Coconut Oil
This is the primary skin condition that is caused because of dropping temperatures. For dry skin, the best and the most effective home remedy is coconut oil. Coconut oil acts an excellent moisturizer and is known to penetrate deep into your skin. Warm some coconut oil and apply it on your body making sure you massage it in.
2) Honey
Honey is one of those ingredients you just cannot go wrong with, even with daily use. It works across different skin types and leaves your skin feeling soft and fresh. Simply pat some honey on your face for 10 minutes or so and wash it off. You can also add some milk, apply it on your face, and wash it off once it’s dry. Honey moisturizes your skin, keeps away bacteria from your skin, and boosts the glow of your complexion. Try and use raw and organic honey, for the best possible results.
3) Aloe Vera
This is another remedy to promote the overall health of the skin and hair, aloe Vera gel acts as a great moisturizer because of its non-greasy texture and can double as an aftershave too. It also keeps away acne and wrinkles on the skin, helping to keep your skin firm. Scrape the gel from the leaf and blend it in a mixer to form the aloe vera gel. You can also combine the gel with other ingredients like turmeric or honey to make rejuvenating face masks
4) Curd and Honey Mask
Mix a spoonful of honey in a small bowl of curd and mix well before applying on the skin and neck. This mixture doesn’t just hydrate it but also tighten it. Curd helps in cleansing the skin, brightening it and removing dark spots and marks.
5) Banana Mask
Mix a mashed banana and a spoonful of honey in a bowl till it becomes a smooth paste. Apply this on your face and neck evenly. Leave this mask on your face for five minutes and rinse it off with cold water. Quite like curd, banana also helps in tightening the skin. It also helps in improving your skin’s texture that in turn delays skin ageing.
6) Olive Oil
The benefits of olive oil are many. Just need to do is apply just a drop or two of olive oil on the dry areas or all over your face and neck. Use minimal quantity, as olive oil is thick and nourishing. Ensure you have washed your face/skin properly and spread it with soft hands without putting too much pressure. Olive oil is not just rich in anti-oxidants but also vitamins. Regular usage will help in improving skin texture. Preferably apply it just before you go to bed so it settles well into the skin overnight.
7) Milk and Almond Face Pack
Both milk and almonds are nourishing by nature and they help in restoring moisture back into the skin, making it supple, smooth and moisturized. Using this skin care tips will tackle dryness easily. 1 teaspoon milk and 5 Almonds are needed. Soak the almonds overnight in water, peel the skin off the next morning and grind them into a paste.
Then mix the almond paste with milk to form a thick paste and apply directly all over the face. Wash with lukewarm water after 30-40 minutes to reveal smooth and glowing skin.