Have you noticed that your face is drying out as a result of the colder months? If you answered “yes” to that question, you are not alone. Between all the showering, use of harsh soaps, aging, and lack of humidity, it’s easy to experience dry skin during the winter. The epidermis (outermost layer of skin) loses water as a result of the reduced moisture in the air. That means that you have to take action to lock in as much moisture as you can.
How Do You Keep The Moisture In?
A combination of sun-damage, excessive skin cleansing and exfoliation, and underlying medical conditions make it difficult to maintain moisturized skin. On top of that, you have low humidity attacking the skin. Both the outdoor cold and indoor heat dry out the skin, contributing to flakiness, cracking, and itching. The way to lock in moisture is by supplying the epidermis with moisturizing ingredients. The problem is that regular moisturizers contain harmful chemicals that dry out the skin. That’s why you have to choose natural ingredients that seal in the moisture without clogging pores. Let’s explore some of those ingredients below.
Jojoba Oil
Jojoba oil is one of the best carrier oils to use on the skin, both the face and body. It feels light because the skin easily absorbs it, taking in the vitamins and minerals more easily than other oils. Several studies found that jojoba oil actually balances the skin’s oils. How does it do that? It sneakily tricks your skin into thinking that it produced enough oil to keep the skin moisturized. This prevents your skin from producing too much oil, which can contribute to blackheads. Additionally, jojoba oil has antibacterial properties from the high iodine content. This can decrease the risk of acne development, especially when used as a spot treatment at night.
Rose Petals
Rose petals are great for all skin types, but if you have dry skin, you just hit the jackpot. The moisturizing properties of rose petals work to combat itchiness and keep the skin hydrated by preventing moisture loss. By maintaining a strong barrier, your skin has a better chance at not drying out if the weather lacks humidity. Rose petals also strengthen the skin’s cells, helping to regenerate skin tissues.
Green Tea
Green tea has powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, which help reduce acne or oily skin. People with oily skin often suffer from acne because the excess sebum can clog pores. Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) is potent polyphenol in green tea and it reduces sebum secretions, which in turn may reduce acne. When you apply green tea on the face, it helps to alleviate any inflammation or puffiness. Finally, green tea is a natural source of vitamin E, which is known for its ability to hydrate the skin.
DIY Green Tea And Rose Facial Cream
Ingredients:
- 1 cup jojoba oil
- 30 grams green tea leaves
- 10 grams dried rose petals
- 1 gram alkanet root
- 20 grams beeswax
- 25 grams coconut oil
- 20 grams shea butter
- 1/3 cup rose hydrofoil
- 1/3 cup aloe vera gel
- 1 teaspoon rosemary extract
- 15 drops geranium essential oil
- 10 drops grapefruit essential oil
- 8 drops clary sage essential oil
Instructions:
- First off, you have to infuse the herbs into the jojoba oil. So pour one to two inches of water in the bottom of a double boiler over medium heat.
- Add the jojoba oil, green tea leaves, dried rose petals, and alkanet root to the top of the double boiler. Stir the oil occasionally until it reaches 100º F. Once it does, turn off the heat for a couple minutes. Repeat this process three to five times.
- Once you completed the infusion process, strain off the herbs and reserve the oil in a heat-safe glass jar.
- Add the beeswax, coconut oil, and shea butter to the top of the double boiler and stir until melted. Remove from heat once the mixture is liquified.
- Pour that mixture and the infused jojoba oil into a food processor and let the mixture harden.
- Add the rose hydrofoil, aloe vera gel, rosemary extract, and the essential oils to the food processor and then pulse to combine. You may need to scrape down the sides to ensure that everything is thoroughly blended.
- Spoon this cream into small containers and store either in the fridge or in a cool, dry place.
- To use, massage a small amount into the face and neck after you wash your face. Leave on overnight.
