Ayurda’s 5 Easy Steps to Look After your Skin This Winter

by Rippan Sandhu

Ah winter! Time for dry skin, itching and let’s not forget the infamous chapped lips. The cold weather and freezing rain almost certainly takes a toll on your skin and to counter that according to Ayurveda, winter is the ideal time to feed your skin the potent nutrients it needs to stay youthful and healthy.  

Beauty begins with common sense. It can be as simple as eating right, getting your beauty sleep, managing stress and following a simple, natural skincare regime. We’ve put together 5 simple steps with some bonus recipes and ingredients to help you take care of your skin this winter! 

Step 1 – Moisturise the dryness away 

Your skin tends to dry out more during colder seasons which can lead to flaking, inflammation and itching. Moving in and out of heated places could further add to the problem. It’s a no-brainer that this would be the time to boost your skin with as much moisture as possible and control the environment you are in. Keep the thermostat as low as you can handle comfortably to reduce dehydration from heating. Hot water may feel tempting in cold weather, but it can damage your skin. Shower in pleasantly warm water, never hot! Use creamy cleansers that will not deplete moisture from already dry skin. Another great way to help with moisture replenishment is to apply a body oil or a moisturiser after showering in the morning.  We recommend Ayurda's Oliana oil as it is perfect for delivering deep-layer lipid support. The Ayurvedic herbs, rich oils and antioxidants in this oil combat free radical damage and offer sustained nourishment to your skin, leaving it less vulnerable to the ravages of winter weather.

Step 2 - Protect your skin 

Winter winds can be harsh and drying on some types of skin. Choose natural fibres, such as wool or silk, as protection. Natural fabrics allow the skin to breathe better. If you are not comfortable with wool, try thick cotton and layer up depending on how cold it is. Dressing in layers also makes it easier to add or remove layers for comfort. Sun protection is just as important in winter as it is in summer - wear a wide-brimmed hat and avoid direct exposure to the sun as much as possible. Remember your sun protection on that skiing holiday, as sun at high altitudes is even more damaging, especially when it reflects off snow! 

Step 3 - Feed your skin good fats

Winter skin is very receptive to deep nourishment. This is the season to pamper your skin with rich nourishment routines, morning and evening. Eat nuts and seeds like walnuts, almonds, pumpkin and sunflower seeds regularly to offer skin lipid support. Include healthy fats like Ghee and sesame oil in your food to nourish your gut which in turn keeps your skin hydrated and supple through winter.

Step 4 - Nourish your body

Diet is essential to good health and great skin! Include lots of leafy green vegetables like spinach and seasonal fruits like oranges and kiwifruit in your diet. Sip lots of warm water through the day to help flush toxins from your system. Don't skip meals. Eat warm, well-cooked and fresh foods and stay away from canned or processed foods that contain additives and chemical preservatives. Cook with a variety of spices as they not only great flavour enhancers, but they can help promote digestive and immune health. Cumin, for example, helps flush your body of toxins which will in turn, lead to a glowing, radiant complexion.

Step 5 - Follow a skin-friendly lifestyle 

Sleep is probably the most underrated and underutilized beauty hack! Lack of sleep not only robs the lustre from your skin, but it weakens your immune system, leading to further skin issues. Sleep deprivation has also been linked in recent research to long-term health problems including obesity. Manage your time, plan ahead and make sure you get your 8 hours of sleep. Stress isn’t good for your mental health and it isn’t good for your skin either!