Thinkstock
DCL
The winter can be brutal on your skin. No matter how you slice it, cold, dry weather can result in itchy, rough, and dry skin. It's just not pleasant and for those of us looking to ward off wrinkles, dry skin certainly doesn't help. Though it may seem appealing just to load your skin up with countless lotions and creams, the way you treat your body holistically has much to do with how your skin looks on the outside. If you want to glow even when the weather gets below freezing you have to take care of yourself.
Old School Vices Will Dry Your Skin
We all know the culprits of bad health, excessive alcohol, caffeine, and smoking cigarettes. Just as boozing and downing endless cups of coffee dehydrates your insides, they also dry out your skin. And obviously avoid smoking, an addiction that ages you worse than any other. Make sure if you partake in a casual cup o' Joe or glass of wine that you drink extra water to make up for it in addition to the water that you're drinking throughout the day already. Treat yourself to whole foods with a good amount of fruits and vegetables with water content. Skip dried fruits and vegetables as well in the depths of winter.
The Wonders of Sesame Oil
Sesame oil is an old Ayurvedic method for balancing out the body's doshas, but it also serves to moisturize the body. It is rich in linoleic acid, and has anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties. Massage sesame oil into the skin, face, and hair.
The Bathing Ritual
Next up, wash the oil off in a warm bath using an oil-based soap rather than an alcohol-based soap. However, bathing too much in the winter can do a number on your skin. It depletes the skin of moisture and the ability to retain moisture. Don't bathe and shower as much in the winter time. The air is dry anyway so unless you live in a damp, warm climate you won't produce nearly as much sweat. Additionally, when you do bathe, make sure to pat yourself dry instead of harshly rubbing the skin dry, which removes even more moisture.
Like this? Stay up-to-date on all my foodie tips and get great holistic health info by following me on Twitter.
