Shake off those mid-winter blues with these DIY natural beauty solutions for dry skin and hair.
In most corners of the country, folks are bundled up from head to toe and shoveling snow. Not here in Phoenix. No sir. Valley dwellers are out and about and making the most of our excellent winter weather. Only thing is, our arid air coupled with sun and wind equals dry skin and hair. We’ve got the do-it-yourself natural beauty hacks for winter skin and hair including a few tricks we’ve kept neatly tucked up our fleece sleeves.
Watch the ABC15 Arizona’s Sonoran Living segment below:
Chapped Lips: Sweet Kiwi Lip Treatment
A simple sugar scrub like our Hot Lips Scrub can help relieve chapped lips of flaking skin and dryness. We’ve taken it up a notch with the addition of pureed kiwi, which is packed with vitamin C and E. All you need is one ripe kiwi fruit, sugar and a carrier oil (sweet almond, jojoba or whatever you have on hand).
Start by peeling and pureeing the kiwi. Add about 6 tablespoons of sugar and a few drops of oil to about half of the kiwi puree. Gently massage the delicious mixture on lips for at least 20 second and then rinse (or just lick off!).. Follow with a nourishing lip balm and you’re good to go.
TIP: Go for a lip balm with sunscreen to keep your pucker conditioned and protected. We like Jack Black’s Intense Therapy Lip Balm SPF 25 (no, it’s not just for guys!).
Lackluster Skin: Hydrating Chia Seed & Honey Mask
Shake off the mid-winter skin blues with a hydration-boosting skin treatment. The chia seeds deliver a surge of antioxidants and omega 3 fatty acids while soothing inflammation. Honey is the ultimate hydrator and skin conditioner. The lactic acid in the yogurt will brighten and gently exfoliate. For super dry skin, skip the yogurt and add a touch more honey.
To make the mask, mix 2 tablespoons of chia seeds with ¼ cup of plain yogurt and 2 teaspoons of honey. Apply the mixture on clean skin and leave on for up to 15 minutes. Massage gently as you rinse off the mask and follow up with your regular routine.
TIP: Keep the good chi going with a daily dose of Organic Chia Seed Oil. Use it like a serum under moisturizer to battle irritation and dryness.
Dry, Itchy Scalp: Rosemary Hot Oil Treatment
Scratching your head with a little too much gusto lately? Your scalp might be crying out for a little HOT (hot oil treatment). Castor oil is a star player in this scalp therapy treatment with a host of benefits including increasing shine, treating dandruff, promoting hair growth and thickening hair. The drawback though is that it’s thick and takes some work to remove. Thin it out with carrier oils and add a boost of rosemary oil for extra conditioning.
Start by heating up two cups of water in a small pot. While the water heats up, mix 1 tablespoon of castor oil, 5 tablespoons of sweet almond oil (or grapeseed or jojoba) in a plastic squirt bottle. Add 6 drops of rosemary essential oil. Shake up the bottle to mix your ingredients. Remove the water from the stove just before it boils. Place your oil mixture bottle in the water for a few minutes to warm it up. (Resist the urge to microwave or directly cook the oils on the stove because they will lose nutrients). Massage into clean, damp hair. Wrap hair in a towel or shower cap for 20 minutes. Shampoo and condition as usual.
TIP: Experiment with the best mix of oils for your hair type. For extremely dry hair, add a few tablespoons of melted coconut oil.
More winter skincare tips:
- Never go to bed uncovered! Keep natural petroleum jelly or diaper balm (yes, you read that right!) next to your bedside for conditioning knuckles, heels and lips. Burt’s Bees makes a great all-purpose balm.
- Does your summer bronzer look blotchy on winter skin? Mix a few drops of self-tanner into your nighttime moisturizer and apply to cheeks and low neck.
- Brighten dull winter skin with a shimmer stick. (try this inexpensive highlighter stick from Maybelline. Swipe above cheekbones, below brow arch and bridge of nose to brighten skin.
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