Make your skin glow this winter

 Make your skin glow this winter

Winter is here, and also the shivering cold, so, it's time to get ready for it. Remember your struggle with dry skin every year, but this year let’s prepare to fight the dry air. No, this is not for young girls or women alone, people of all ages, colours, races and gender should feel and look good. Looking good increases self-confidence, so all of you, get ready to make your skin glow this winter.

Healthy, glowing and supple skin should be a priority for everyone. Cold wave dries the skin of all, that is why all should try to protect their skin. Not only protect but care for it to make it glow always, especially during winters.

There are a lot of cosmetic products in the market but to make your skin glow naturally, you need natural remedies based on natural products. To explore the natural products that are good for your skin, head straight towards your kitchen. You will find a treasure of natural products waiting for you.

Natural remedies based on natural products are good for your skin as they are more effective than cosmetic products and don’t have any side effects.

Natural products for skin care

1)  Banana:

This natural remedy is for dry skin types. Bananas are great for the skin as they contain potassium, vitamin A and vitamin B. If your face is too dry then you can apply mashed banana on your face as a face pack. Bananas will hydrate and moisturise your skin. Just mash the bananas add milk, honey, and lime juice to them and apply this mixture on the face.

2)  Almond Oil:

Almond oil is for all skin types. It is enriched with vitamin E and antioxidants. Almond oil is extremely beneficial for the skin as it provides the appropriate moisture and maintains a natural glow.

You can massage your face with almond oil and leave it overnight for the best results. This prevents fine lines and wrinkles. Use it on a daily basis to get more radiant and glowing skin.

You can also crush soaked almonds in milk and blend them well to form a paste. Apply on the skin and leave for 10 to 15 minutes. Then wash with cold water and pat dry. This will keep your skin fresh and glowing.

3)  Honey and egg white pack

Honey and egg are some of the best ingredients that people are using for ages. This is good for oily, acne-prone and combination skin types. This combo provides the exact moisture to the skin and the end result is soft and glowing skin. Honey is a great moisturizer and keeps the skin well-hydrated. It has great bleaching properties and hides pigmentation marks. Egg white makes the skin soft.

4) Oatmeal and milk

Oats work as an efficient anti-tanning agent and helps lighten the skin tone. Oatmeal mixed with milk or yoghurt is for all skin types. Oats are also rich in zinc which is important for fighting off pimples. Oats help to absorb the excess oil on the skin and are an essential part of acne treatments. Make a paste of some oatmeal and milk. Apply it on the face, gently rub and let it dry. Then after a few minutes rinse it off. This will remove the dead skin from your face and will make it more glowing and beautiful.

5) Curd

Curd or yoghurt is for all skin types. Actually, it can make your skin extraordinarily beautiful and glowing. You can either eat it or apply it to your skin. Curd is rich in lactic acid which is good for our skin. It moisturizes our skin and reduces wrinkles and fine lines. Curd also helps in reducing tan and dark circles. It improves skin elasticity and keeps it glowing. It can be used mixed with honey, oatmeal or gram flour.

6) Cucumber

Cucumber is best for dry, acne-prone and sensitive skin. Include cucumbers not only in your diet but also in your beauty regimen. Cucumber has the same pH level as that our skin. It helps in replenishing the skin’s protective layer and keeps the skin hydrated thus promoting glowing skin. Cucumber is the best remedy to treat any type of skin problem. It is rich in water content, you can either eat it directly or apply it on the face.

7) Coconut Oil:

Coconut oil is rich in antioxidants and fatty acids. It reduces inflammation and does wonders for almost all skin types. It is an excellent moisturizer, cleanser and sunscreen. It keeps our skin acne-free. It is good for dry and normal skin and acts as an excellent moisturizer, but not too good for oily skin.

8) Aloe Vera 

Aloe Vera is for all skin types. It is rich in vitamins and antioxidants that are good for our skin. Aloe Vera keeps skin glowing and soft. It also prevents acne. It helps to keep skin hydrated, improves elasticity and prevents the development of wrinkles. Aloe vera gel acts as a great moisturizer because of its non-greasy texture and can double as an aftershave too.

 9) Milk

Raw milk is good for oily, acne-prone and dry skin. It actually works as a great toner for the skin. Loaded with antioxidants and lactic acid, it helps to even out your complexion and remove dark spots on your face. You can also combine raw milk with ingredients like papaya, honey, almond, turmeric and so on to help your skin glow.

10)  Drinking Lots and Lots of Water

Hydrating your skin from within flushes out toxins from your body. Water clears out acne by balancing the oils on your face, and also helps to reduce wrinkles. It is recommended that women drink at least 1.6 litres of water a day and men drink about 2 litres. In all drinking, 7-8 glasses of water will be good for your health as well as your skin.

Good habits for Skincare

Proper Sleep

The primary activity to help you achieve that flawless look is getting regular and restful sleep. These days getting undisturbed sleep is relatively rare. Restless sleep and that too for a few hours only affects your skin negatively. When you sleep, your cells are able to flush out the toxins that are produced during the day. This ensures that you wake up with refreshed and supple skin. You require 7 – 8 hours of sleep every day for optimal brain function and improved health. This amount of sleep is also the minimum requirement for healthy skin.

Always stay hydrated,

Another important activity to keep your skin looking radiant and glowing is to stay hydrated by drinking enough water throughout the day. Try to drink at least 2 litres of water daily, apart from other fluids like citrus fruits, juices and soups. Remember that proper hydration is essential for healthy and glowing skin. 

Exercise regularly

Any kind of regular, daily exercise or physical activity goes a long way towards boosting your skin condition. It helps you to stay fit, increases your blood circulation, boosts your heart health and helps in the proper digestion of food. It is vital for maintaining an overall healthy body. Skin is the largest and most nutrient-demanding organ in your body though it rarely receives the replenishments it requires. These activities can help you to properly take care of your skin to keep it fresh and radiant.

Diet for good skin,

• Healthy and glowing skin requires a healthy diet consisting of lots of fresh fruits and vegetables along with nutrients like vitamins and minerals. Plan your diet to get the best out of your food.
• Consume skin-friendly fruits and veggies daily. Fruits like oranges, lemons, strawberries, watermelon, tomatoes and avocadoes will be really good. Vegetables like cucumber and broccoli are also good for the skin.
• Eat enough vitamin c enriched fruits like papayas, oranges, kiwi, strawberries, broccoli, guava, sweet potatoes and blueberries to get your share of antioxidants. 
• Avoid adopting crash diet plans, diet in long term lead to sagging and loose skin, marked by wrinkles and stretch marks.
• Try having selenium in your food which is a type of antioxidant available in foods such as shellfish, eggs, Brazilian nuts and wheat germ. You can have supplements of it on doctor’s recommendation.
• Make a habit of having vitamin E in your diet from avocados, hazelnuts, pine nuts and almonds.
• Consume foods such as fish, chia seeds and walnuts for omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids which are great for the skin.
• Eat more phytoestrogens which you can find in tofu and soya, that will keep your skin young and fresh.

Habits to avoid

Use of Body Lotion on the face

Many people are in the habit of applying a single cream-based product all throughout their bodies. It is better to use face cream for the face and body lotion for the body. As all products have different applications. 

Body lotions are thicker and oilier. They are formulated for your body which also tends to sweat more and so it is more fragrant. Using body lotion as face cream can lead to breakouts or allergic reactions and can make the skin look oily. Always use a face cream that is more gentle and less fragrant. 

Use of Sugar as scrub

Sugar is generally used as a home remedy for glowing skin in various kinds of scrubs. Try never to use it on the face. This practice is best avoided as sugar particles tend to be larger and more abrasive, leading to tearing and cuts on your face. Better use gram flour or oatmeal as a scrub. 

Hot Water for washing the face

Hot water is not good for washing your hair or face. It can increase hair fall and also make the scalp dry. Similarly, hot water is not good for your skin as it can reduce natural moisture and might even cause scalding and drying of the skin. Instead, you can use lukewarm water or a steam facial to open up your pores and enhance the glow. 

Toothpaste as blackhead cleaner

Some people use toothpaste to remove blackheads as a skin hack but this is highly counter-productive as toothpaste can cause allergies. Any hack of using toothpaste on the face should be avoided as you don’t know about the chemicals used and their effect on the skin.

Soap for washing the face

Many of us use soap to wash our face as we have grown up with this logic same as using body lotion on the face, body and everywhere.

Instead, use face wash as they are formulated to be mild and only removes excess oils from your face. Soaps can be harsh and can remove natural oils from your skin. While soap is perfectly fine for cleansing the rest of your body, stick to gentle cleansers like face wash for your face only.

Baking Soda

Another skin hack to get rid of acne is the use of baking soda. But remember, baking soda can strip your skin of its pH balance which is very important to safeguard your skin from bacteria and germs. Baking soda is alkaline and the use of it on the face is not at all recommended as it can do more harm to your skin. 

Your skin needs moisturizing, nutrition and breathing. If you take care of your skin, it will take care of you and your personality. Healthy and clear skin is an asset and it is needed to be treated that way.