HEAD-TO-TOE WINTER TIPS
DRY BODY BRUSHING During the winter months, we need to give our circulation all the help it needs, and dry body brushing does just that. It’s great for exfoliating the skin, while it also stimulates blood flow to tissues and breaks down the toxins that produce cellulite. Dry brush with upward strokes, towards the heart, for a few minutes just before your shower. See debenhams.ie for a great range.
TAME THE TEMPERATURE It’s tempting to have hot showers and hot baths during the winter months. But all that heat strips your body of its natural oils, and we need to hang on to as many oils as we can during winter. Instead, try showering in lukewarm water and use warm water on your face and hands, too.
SCRUB AWAY THE OLD TO MAKE WAY FOR THE NEW It’s important to gently scrub off your old skin cells. This is important for your face and body, but in the winter, your hands and lips are important too. For my lips, I mix a little baking soda with water, and using an old toothbrush, I rub it on my lips in small circular motions
MILK IT Remember Cleopatra used to bathe in milk to keep her skin soft and beautiful? Well, maybe that’s not such a bad idea. Karen Cottier from Wild Oats has made a beautiful Wild Oats Bath Milk, right, with lavender and milk. It’s not only great for soothing stress, but it’s also great for kids or adults with eczema or chicken pox. See wildoatssoap.com
PAT DOWN TO OIL UP After washing, instead of rubbing your skin with a towel, pat it gently instead. Then apply natural oil when your skin is still damp, as damp skin will help to lock in some of the moisture in the top layer of the epidermis. I love plant oils, as they are easily absorbed, and packed with powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compounds that nourish, protect and rejuvenate your skin.
They are also similar to the kind of oil that your skin produces naturally, so as with natural foods, your body recognises them and absorbs them, meaning your pores won’t get clogged. Plant oils have also been shown to bind moisture to the skin while strengthening skin cell membranes.
SEAL IN IT For a really deep, nourishing treatment, slather on my desert-island beauty product, Weleda’s Skin Food (see my product picks, right) on hands and feet and wear cotton socks and gloves to bed! See thebodyshop.ie for Thirsty Hands Moisture Gloves, €11.50.
PREVENT INDOOR AIR GETTING DRY — HUMIDIFY Central heating can really dry out the air in your home, so consider installing a humidifier, particularly if you have a new baby, and also in your own bedroom. This will help to put moisture back into the air and help to prevent your skin drying out. Prices start from €59.99 in Boots, to €499.90 for the Dyson humidifier in Harvey Norman.
HYDRATE FROM THE INSIDE OUT We saw in the Soul Food section that hydration is key for internal and external health. So eat water-rich fruits and veg, and get your good fats from oily fish, nuts and seeds.
DRESS FOR SUCCESS Remember to wrap up with hats, scarves and gloves to protect yourself from the elements.
THE FORGOTTEN FEW Don’t forget to moisturise your neck, and take care of your scalp. Our neck shows some of the first signs of aging, and is constantly exposed but very often neglected. For a natural solution to dry scalp, squeeze some lemon juice on to it, leave it for 10-15 minutes and then rinse it off. The vitamin C and citric acid in the lemons help to fight dandruff and they also contain anti-fungal properties which combat dandruff-causing fungus.