Winter is unquestionably rough on skin: cold temperatures, dry climates and wind all conspire to rob your skin of moisture, which results in rough, itchy skin. Here are three ways to prevent and repair the damage.
- Soap sparingly. Use soap only to the extent necessary.
- Soap strips natural oils from your skin, and there is no reason to overuse it.
- Buff your skin gently with a soft damp washcloth to slough off dead skin cells.
- Moisturize from the inside. Drink plenty of fluids, at least six glasses of water daily.
- Also, make sure you are getting enough essential fatty acids, which keep skin supple and healthy.
- Mix 2 table spoons of Gingelly oil or any vegetable oil with a little water and rub to form an emulsion. Apply on dry skin, soak and then bathe.
- Use oats as a scrub to remove dry flaky skin. Pat with a moisturizer soon after.
- Coconut oil and candle wax in equal quantity, heated together form a great cream that can handle chapped lips, elbows, knees and dry feet.
- Never lick chapped lips - they will crack and bleed.
- If you have the luxury of a bath tub, add a cup of milk to your bath water, an essential oil like lavender and then soak for awhile.
- Soak feet in a bucket of warm water to which coconut oil has been added. Rinse off gently.