Cold, crisp mornings slipping into woolly socks and oversized jumpers, big pots of soup bubbling away on the stove and slow evenings huddled by the fire sipping hot cacao; there’s no denying the idea of winter is very romantic.
While the chilly change in season brings so much beauty, it does come with its challenges as cold temperatures, low humidity and gusty winds can be harsh on the body.
The rapidly changing temperatures from heated indoors to cold outdoor environments have been shown to affect the skin’s capillaries, and prolonged exposure to wet weather can strip the skin’s barrier function, leading to dry, sensitive, chapped skin and lips, brittle hair and cracked nails.
If you suffer from skin conditions such as eczema, rosacea or dermatitis you may also experience a worsening of symptoms in the winter months due to your skin drying out from changing temperatures.
At times it may feel that you just have to grit your teeth, pull your scarf up and make it through to spring. However, fortunately there are a number of natural ways to help combat these symptoms, both internally through food and supportive nutrients and topically with healing botanicals and gentle lifestyle changes, so you can get back to enjoying all the charm winter has to offer.
How to combat the winter beauty woes
Avoid boiling hot showers and baths
It is tempting to soak in a hot bath in winter; however, it can actually make skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis worse, as hot water strips the skin of its natural oils resulting in dry, itchy and irritated skin. Aim to have brief, lukewarm showers and baths to reduce irritating and drying out your skin. Once out of the shower use a rich, hydrating body cream or oil to soothe your skin.
Avoid using harsh chemicals on your skin
There are many products on the market that contain preservatives, stabilisers, mineral pigments, dyes, shines, fragrances, metals and numerous other substances that are added to enhance a beauty product’s effectiveness and shelf life. Many of these chemicals are known to be allergenic and irritating, so it is best to check your cleansers, face peels and body soaps to see if they contain any of these ingredients.
Additionally, it is a good idea to check the ingredients in your handwash and detergents, as harsh chemicals and alcohol have been shown to worsen dermatitis and can lead to dry hands and brittle nails. Instead, opt for organic, hypoallergenic soaps and cleansers that are based on natural oils and botanicals, as these are far gentler on sensitive skin.
Stay hydrated
The skin is composed of 64 per cent water, and this vital essence is required to transport nutrients and oxygen to every cell in the body. When your skin and hair are dehydrated, they may look dull and dry and feel itchy. Heading out into a harsh winter gale will only exacerbate these symptoms.
While you may not feel as thirsty in winter as you would in summer, it is important to be conscious of hitting your daily water requirements. It is advised that women drink about 2.5 litres of water per day, while men should aim for 3 litres per day, and more when you are exercising. If you aren’t a big water drinker, sip on herbal teas throughout the day or flavour your water with lemon, lime and mint to make it a little more exciting.
Continue reading your story on the app
Continue reading your story in the magazine
Sustainable seafood
Global seafood consumption has quadrupled over the past 50 years and interest in environmentally conscious fish choices has grown. But which types of seafood are sustainable and how can you be certain? We take a look.
Yoga for loneliness
We’ve just farewelled the year that broke and woke us. Feeling a loneliness hangover from 2020? Us too. Need an antidote? Learn yoga’s perspective on loneliness and solitude and a juicy yoga sequence.
Your magic microbiome
Your microbiome impacts your heart health, your mental health, your weight, your immunity and your athletic performance. That same microbiome is also unique to you and has been dubbed the “second genome”. The big questions are, what exactly is that microbiome and how can you make it work for you?
Mindful mornings
You don’t have to be a morning person to create a mindful morning routine. By working with your body clock and creating rituals that work for you, not against you, even the latest risers can set the right tone for the day.
The rise of the “sober curious” generation
In a society that has long treated alcohol as a dichotomy — either you’re a vodkaswinging party animal or a teetotal, clean-living yogi — a new wave of people are searching for the middle ground. How are they navigating a culture still set on making socialising synonymous with drinking?
Tania de Jong _ a healing note
With the voice of an angel, the heart of a lion and the soul of a mystic, Tania de Jong AM leads a varied and productive life. She is a gifted soprano with an entrepreneurial flair and a passion for giving. Having built numerous businesses, performed in countless venues, released many CDs and established three charities, her latest vision is to transform the treatment of mental illness in Australia.
Healthy summer entertaining
Discover some simple tips for healthy holiday entertaining which will leave you satisfi ed but not overstuff ed like your Christmas turkey.
Conscious parenting
Conscious parenting is a radically diff erent approach to raising children that can be healing for the whole family.
Special Report - Weight Loss That Lasts
Weight gain is both unhealthy and uncomfortable. The temptation is to go on “crash diets” or try wonder foods that promise to strip away the kilos. What the research tells us, though, is that these quick fi xes lead to more weight gain in the long run. Here we discover some sustainable weight loss strategies that will help you lose weight for life.
Better Skin Each Birthday
With a plethora of anti-ageing beauty products available, it’s hard to know what’s the most helpful and the least harmful. The good news is that by taking consistent care of your skin with healthy habits, nourishing foods and a few smart tricks, you can create a smooth, firm and fresh skin complexion.
Aloe Vera Has 10 Impressive Uses
Aloe is very useful for psoriasis, food sensitivities, diabetes, gastritis and gingivitis.
Brow Business
Brow Lamination, the microblading alternative taking Instagram, is the must-have treatment of 2020. To find out moe, we spoke to Rachel Lavelle, one of Australia’s most sought after cosmetic educators, for an inside on the hottest innovative technique.
5 Top Botanicals for Treating Problem Skin
Over-the-counter treatments for chronic skin disorders like acne, dandruff and eczema frequently deliver limited relief. One reason is that most of these products are formulated with a single active ingredient that targets only one underlying cause of a given condition, leaving the others (and there are always others) to carry on without therapeutic intervention.
Hygiene is Overrated
But keep washing your hands.
Burdock Root
This time-tested botanical can help ease eczema and psoriasis, detoxify the liver, combat constipation, and more
Healthy Food
No Boring Protein Drinks - I mentioned in previous issue of AMM what you can add to your protein drinks for additional flavors, colors, and nutritional values.
Why Your Skin Loves CBD
CBD oil is all the rage for everything from pain relief to anxiety. Now it’s time to discover the topical benefits of this wonder oil, including its skin-nourishing powers
Beauty Therapists On What Gets Under Their Skin
We often think a facial can do wonders for our skin – and it can. But what do the experts secretly wish we did to make their work more effective?
6 Healing Foods To Beat Skin Inflammation
Fight back against psoriasis, eczema, and other disruptive conditions with these six healing foods
How To Get Rid Of Eczema Forever
Eczema is a chronic skin disease that often takes a toll on mental health, too, yet even contemporary physicians don’t know how to completely cure it. Despite the usually quite negative prognoses, the battle with eczema need not be in vain. All one has to do is follow several rules that will not only help in the fight against the resilient skin disease but will also have an overall beneficial impact on one’s health.