As the chill of winter sets in, our bodies must adjust to the sudden change in weather. The skin is especially at risk and often becomes cracked, red and irritated. Fortunately, you can avoid painfully dry winter skin by implementing a wholesome skincare routine.
You should look for products that contain 100% pure, all-natural ingredients to ensure the safest and most effective way to keep your skin healthy and radiant. Handmade bath and body products are a great alternative to chemical-laden commercial products. Handcrafted soaps, body butters and balms are loaded with natural elements that are known to have healing and restorative properties. The handmade process adds even more value by preserving the integrity of those ingredients to retain all of the skin-loving benefits in the final product.
Protection Against the Elements
Harsh weather usually has a deep impact on our face, body and hands. The combination of frigid temperatures, dry air, low humidity and indoor heat sources will quickly deplete the skin’s natural moisture levels. Plus, frequent hand washing, along with the use of hand sanitizers, can lead to excessively chapped and sensitive hands. The solution is to take some simple steps to add extra protection during the coldest months of the year.
Swap Your Soap
Replace your store-bought soap with a natural, handmade soap, free of harsh synthetic detergents, artificial fragrances and known irritants. Handmade soap is packed with nutrient-rich oils and butters and is often enhanced with goat’s milk, raw honey and other natural additives. This combination of skin-nourishing ingredients yields a rich, creamy soap that helps soothe parched winter skin. If you want to experience a luxurious lather that leaves nothing behind but hydration, experience the handmade difference.
Natural Herbal Infusions
Soapmakers often infuse their soap with herbs, spices and botanicals. These ingredients not only add natural color, texture and aroma – they support optimal skin health. Here are a few beneficial herbs to look for in handmade artisan soap that can help fight winter skin woes.
- Chamomile
- Calendula
- Aloe Vera
- Turmeric
For centuries, these herbs have been widely used for health, beauty and medicinal purposes. They all have soothing qualities and are reputable healing agents for dry, itchy skin.
Real Soap, Real Benefits
Maybe one of the most valuable and surprising benefits of handmade soap is it’s natural moisturizing properties. The greatest source of hydration in handmade soap comes from glycerin, which occurs naturally during the soapmaking process. A humectant, glycerin absorbs water from the air and seals moisture into your skin. This combats dryness and keeps skin soft, smooth and protected. You will find high concentrations of glycerin in real handcrafted soaps made from scratch.
Did you know?
-
- Commercial soap manufacturers actually extract the glycerin from their cleansing bars, resulting in a product that is very harsh and drying to the skin.
-
- Most commercial cleansing bars are not even soap – they are DETERGENTS! Detergents are cleaning agents comprised of synthetic surfactants and a host of other chemical compounds.
-
- A single cleansing bar from the store may contain as many as 15-20 chemicals. These harmful chemicals can disrupt your hormones, promote allergies, lead to reproductive issues and are even linked them to an increased risk of cancer.
- Triclosan, an antibacterial agent commonly found in commercial hand and body washes, is actually on the EPA’s list of toxic pesticides. This chemical is considered by the EPA to pose significant risk to human health and the environment.
Remember, exceptional ingredients result in exceptional soaps. Be sure to read the labels of your skincare products and know what you’re putting on your body.
The Moisture Your Skin is Craving
Nourish your skin liberally with a rich body butter, especially after washing your hands or taking a shower. You should opt for a safe and natural handmade product containing skin-softening oils and organic, unrefined butters. Why risk toxic ingredients being absorbed into your skin from a synthetic product?
Natural butters used in handmade skincare products are derived from various plant-based sources, such as nuts, seeds and beans. They are concentrated with essential fatty acids, vitamins and minerals that are vital in achieving healthy skin. Unlike creams and lotions, body butters do not contain water, making them thicker and heavier than other moisturizers. This super intense formula is effective at treating a variety of inflammatory skin conditions.
The base of any exceptional handmade body butter should be raw, cold-pressed butter – some favorites include shea butter, cocoa butter and mango butter. For best results, apply a pea-sized amount directly to damp skin. These luscious butters melt upon contact and are quickly absorbed, leaving behind a velvety soft texture. The environment can have damaging effects on our skin and these nutrient-dense butters lock in moisture to hydrate and protect your skin throughout the day.
Learn to Layer
The key to staying warm in cold weather is to add layers of clothes, from the base layer to the outer layer. We must apply the same principal in our winter skincare routine. Cold temperatures can rapidly dry out exposed skin, leaving it rough, dull and blotchy. With moisturizing soaps and revitalizing body butters, you can create a great base layer to keep your skin vibrant and glowing.
The outer layer of protection and one of the best ways to fight the effects of cold weather is with a natural skin-healing balm. Traditionally made by combining unrefined beeswax with herbal infused oils, this old-fashioned remedy helps soothe and heal skin irritations. The beeswax forms a protective barrier on the surface of the skin, while allowing the medicinal properties of the herbs to provide deep, penetrating relief. In addition to adding a natural layer of defense from the elements, beeswax contains Vitamin A which is beneficial in softening the skin and aiding in cell reconstruction.
Happy, Healthy You
Handcrafted soaps, body butters and balms are lovingly made with your skin and health in mind. They not only nourish your skin, but evoke a sense of wellness in your mind, body and spirit. By establishing a safe, non-toxic skincare routine you can achieve a healthy, glowing new you!
Pamper yourself daily with simple, natural bath and beauty products – your skin will thank you!
If nothing brings you relief from severely dry skin or your symptoms worsen, you should seek out a dermatologist. They can explain how to better manage and treat chronic skin conditions.