Winter skin care

Caring for our skin during winter

Our skin is a very resilient organ of the body, however it can take a knock during periods of cooler weather.  Have you noticed your skin may be a little drier, perhaps chapped, cracked and has that “sand papery” feel about it in places? Cooler temperatures, windy weather, office air conditioning and lower humidity can strip away natural moisture from our skin. This is where we need winter skin care.

With moisturisers and body lotions, while they’re helpful with hydrating our skin, these skin care products usually contain synthetic ingredients that don’t penetrate deep to the subcutaneous tissue layer – they simply sit on the surface of the skin and aren’t absorbed to where moisture is actually needed.

Pure essential oils on the other hand consist of tiny aromatic molecules that get absorbed easily into the skin.

On entering the blood stream they are carried around the body where they can deliver their beneficial healing powers.  Essential oils when blended with cold pressed carrier oils nourish and hydrate the skin in the opposite way to a moisturiser or body lotion as they can go deep all the way to the subcutaneous tissue layer. Carrier oils also protect and help soothe skin tissue.  For a natural moisturiser add your favourite essential oils to a cold pressed carrier oil – jojoba, sweet almond or grapeseed are lovely carrier oils to use as they soften and nourish the skin.

Winter skin care recipe

Our skin conditioner carrier oil blend is also ideal for dry skin – this is a ready-made carrier oil blend of rosehip, macadamia nut and avocado oils, very helpful with dry and damaged skin. Here is an essential oil blend you may like to try which is helpful for dry skin:

Dry skin essential oil blend

• 12 drops sandalwood
• 8 drops geranium
• 3 drops rosewood
• 2 drops rose

You can use this blend in the bath by adding 6-10 drops to the water to help soften and hydrate the skin as you relax in the warmth of the water. Try this blend also as a massage oil by adding your favourite cold pressed carrier oil. Here are 5 easy steps on what to do:

Step 1: To a 50ml or larger sized dark glass bottle measure out the drops of sandalwood, geranium, rosewood and rose using a pipette or dropper

Step 2: Add 40ml of a cold pressed carrier oil to the bottle using a measuring jug

Step 3: Screw the cap on the bottle tightly and shake well

Step 4: Unscrew the bottle, pour a small amount onto your hands and massage gently onto the skin paying particular attention to dry areas

Step 5: Inhale the vapours to enjoy more aromatherapy benefits

Try the above recipe and that will take of your winter skin care.