In addition to coughs and colds, winter can bring a whole host of skin care problems, such as dry, flaky, irritated, cracked and cracked skin.
These problems are mainly caused by exposure to a dry environment. This is because the air outside is drier in winter, because colder air has a lower moisture transport capacity and the air inside is stripped of moisture by heating systems, wood stoves and fireplaces. This drier air means that the water in our skin evaporates more quickly – it is believed that our skin loses more than 25% of its ability to retain moisture in winter.
When skin cells dry out, they don’t shed as quickly, leading to thicker, flakier skin. This skin retains less water than moist skin, creating a vicious cycle of dehydration. While dry skin is usually harmless, if not properly cared for it can lead to irritation, sensitivity and more serious problems such as atopic dermatitis (eczema) or infection if the skin cracks and lets in bacteria.
So instead of waiting for those chapped lips, red noses, dry patches and cracks to occur, we can work proactively to protect our skin – using aromatherapy as a preventative method and as a remedy!
There are several aromatherapy oils that are especially recommended for dry, sore, cracked or cracked skin. Below we take a look at some of the top choices.
Carrier oils for dry winter skin
Carrier oils provide one of the best ways to moisturize and protect your skin from the elements. Oils rich in essential fatty acids – oleic acid (omega-9), linoleic acid (omega-6), gamma-linolenic acid (omega-6) and alpha-linolenic acid (omega-3) are particularly recommended to prevent moisture loss and nourish the skin to soften. , healing and revitalizing dry skin. Top picks include:
Hemp seed oil
Hemp is one of the most nourishing carrier oils available. It is rich in vitamins and fatty acids (linoleic acid, alpha-linolenic acid and gamma-linolenic acid) and is believed to have the ideal ratio (3:1) of omega-6 to omega-3. It is excellent for nourishing, moisturizing and regulating the skin’s natural oils while soothing irritation and inflammation.
Avocado oil
Unrefined avocado oil is intensely rich and moisturizing – contains high levels of oleic, linoleic and linolenic acids, along with lecithin, minerals and vitamins A, C, D and E. It is excellent for enriching dry, damaged or chapped skin. skin.
Jojoba oil
Jojoba is a skincare hero. It is a lighter feeling oil, but deeply moisturizing and rich in vitamin E, B complex and minerals that are important for healthy skin. It also contains precious oleic acid, which occurs naturally in human sebum and is essential for maintaining optimal skin health. Because it is so structurally similar to the skin’s own oil, it is very easily absorbed and penetrates the deepest layers of the skin, retains moisture and nourishes, soothes and heals the skin from within.
Argan oil
Argan oil is often referred to as liquid gold in the beauty world. It contains high levels of vitamin E and essential fatty acids (namely oleic and linoleic acids), along with squalene, which is an excellent emollient and antioxidant. Squalene is a lipid that is naturally produced by our own skin cells, but unfortunately decreases with age. Argan has traditionally been used to treat skin infections and has been shown to improve skin elasticity and skin hydration by restoring barrier function and maintaining the skin’s water retention capacity.
Sea buckthorn oil
Sea buckthorn is excellent for mature, dry and damaged skin. It is rich in omega 3, 6 and 9, as well as omega 7 (palmitoleic acid), which is beneficial for collagen production and healthy skin. It is also one of the richest natural sources of beta-carotene (vitamin A), which helps heal damaged skin and promote cell growth.
Calendula oil
Calendula oil has anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and antifungal properties that are ideal for supporting, repairing and protecting the skin. It is a perfect choice for soothing many different types of painful, inflamed skin conditions, including chapped skin, eczema and psoriasis.
Essential oils for dry winter skin
Essential oils that gently stimulate the sebaceous glands to function more efficiently, and oils that improve overall skin health and blood flow to the growing layer, are most beneficial.
Rose essential oil would be our first choice, along with other floral oils such as chamomile, jasmine or neroli, all of which are gentle enough to use on dry skin that is often also sensitive and delicate.
Oils that are good for balancing/normalizing sebum production include geranium, lavender and sandalwood, with resinous oils such as benzoin, elemi, frankincense and myrrh being the best choices for soothing and healing very dry, cracked skin.
Aromatherapy blends for dry winter skin
Rich moisturizer
Mix 150 ml organic moisturizer, 5 ml sea buckthorn oil, 5 ml teaspoon of jojoba oil, 10 drops of French lavender, 8 drops of geranium and 4 drops of frankincense and rose.
This recipe is especially good in cold winter weather to nourish the skin and help maintain a smooth, youthful complexion.
No time to mix yourself? Try our Rose Moisture Cream with Rose, Geranium and Patchouli, Evening Primrose and Pomegranate Seed Oils.
Rich moisture mask
Mix 2 tablespoons of Aloe Vera & Rose Gel, 5 ml Sea Buckthorn Oil, 5 ml Avocado Oil, 2 drops Neroli, 4 French Lavender and 2 Benzoin.
Apply to face and neck and let sit to allow nutrients and oils to absorb. Wipe off excess product with tissues and sprinkle the face with cool water before moisturizing.
Aloe Vera is a wonderful hydrator/humectant, meaning it draws moisture from the atmosphere into your skin and holds it in place.
Ultra-hydrating moisture cream for dry, cracked skin
Mix 100 ml organic moisturizer, 5 ml calendula oil, 5 ml vitamin E oil, 20 drops lavender, 6 drops benzoin, 4 drops frankincense, 4 drops patchouli and 4 drops myrrh.
Optional: you can also add 10 drops of Tea Tree oil if there are signs of infection.
Nourishing body oil for dry skin
Mix 20 ml Jojoba, 10 ml Avocado oil, 6 drops Rose, 4 drops Patchouli and 2 drops Geranium and massage it generously into your skin after a bath or shower.
Rich hand cream for dry, cracked skin
Mix 100 ml of organic moisturizer, 10 ml of hemp seed oil, 10 ml of warmed extra virgin coconut butter, 20 drops of lavender essential oil, 10 drops of sandalwood, geranium and tea tree, and 5 drops of lemon and benzoin.
Smooth heel moisturizer
Mix 50 ml organic moisturizer, 10 ml jojoba oil, 5 ml vitamin E oil, 10 drops frankincense essential oil, 5 benzoin, 5 tea tree and 2 peppermint. File off the hard, rough skin from your heel and massage the cream in the morning and evening.
Intensive nourishing healing balm for painful, cracked skin
Mix 5 ml melted beeswax and 10 ml melted extra virgin coconut butter, 5 ml evening primrose and 5 ml neem oil. Add 4 drops of Benzoin essential oil, 4 drops of Myrrh and 10 drops of Lavender.
Protective lip balm
Some parts of our body are more susceptible to dehydration than others because they have a reduced ability to produce natural oils. The lips are particularly vulnerable because they have no sebaceous glands to keep them moisturized. If the lips become very dry and cracked, cracks can form which can bleed and be very painful. Cracked lips are also more susceptible to cold sores and other bacterial infections.
Although many people use Vaseline (petroleum jelly) on their lips, this only protects against moisture loss and does not restore or actually penetrate the skin. For maximum protection and healing properties, we recommend using an all-natural lip balm with therapeutic essential oils:
Melt 37.5 g sweet almond oil, 12.5 g cocoa butter and 15 g beeswax slowly in a baine-marie, so that there are approximately 50 ml lip balm base. Then mix 8 drops of Geranium, 8 drops of Tea Tree, 6 drops of German Chamomile, 5 drops of Lavender and 3 drops of Lemon and add 7 drops of this mixed oil to your lip balm base. Pour it into small tins or jars or lip balm tubes.
This mix is excellent if you are prone to cold sores! Or for extremely dry/chapped lips try: 3 drops of German Chamomile and 4 drops of Geranium.
Other useful tips
- Avoid overheating your home, as this dries out the air.
- Try to protect your skin from the elements as much as possible when you’re out and about.
- Keep your skin care products and routine as simple as possible if your skin is showing signs of irritation or sensitivity.
- Do not use harsh/synthetic toiletries that can further irritate the skin.
- Make sure the bath or shower water is not too hot as this will remove the skin’s natural protective oils.
- Always apply moisturizer immediately after bathing, showering or washing hands.
- Remember that the problem needs to be looked at holistically because your skin is often a reflection of what is going on internally.
- Staying well hydrated has a huge impact on the condition of your skin, so try to drink 2 liters of water per day (including herbal teas/infusions).
- Look at your diet. Good nutrition forms the basis for the structure and resilience of the skin. Dry/cracked skin is often an indication of nutritional deficiencies. In particular, try to include essential fatty acids, proteins, vitamins A, Bs, C, D and E and the minerals copper, selenium and zinc.
Sharon Lovett
Marketing manager