Can you feel that cool breeze?
February tends to be the coldest month here in the south, and while we love to complain about our hot, humid summers, cold & dry weather is just not our thing. But I know that with this cooler weather I'll see a lot more complaints of dry skin in my treatment room. Eczema flares up, itchy skin, and skin that just never seems to get enough moisture becomes a very common theme. Is this you? Winter time can be harsher on skin that already struggles to keep itself properly moisturized, but I have a great answer for you.
Add an oil to your nighttime skin care routine. Carrier oils are my personal go to for dry skin. They are made by cold pressing the seeds and nuts of plants. They contain lots of nutrients, fatty acids, and tocopherols that keep skin protected. Carrier oils are full of amazing skin nutrients and vitamins to help it get through the cold weather and keep it dewy and plump. Here's 5 of my favorite cold weather oils for skin and what they're best at:
Rosehip One of the holy grail oils for reducing redness, helping rosacea, eczema, and psoriasis. High in Vitamin A, which helps to stimulate elastin and collagen production. It is clinically proven to promote cell regeneration and heal scar tissue and blemishes. (NOTE: be careful to get rosehip SEED oil when buying. There are also oils made from the rosehip flesh that have a different composition.) This oil is perfect for you if you have sensitive or reactive skin.
Evening Primrose Great for reducing inflammation, supporting the immune system, and balancing hormones. Helps heals burns, wounds, eczema, and psoriasis. This is my go-to oil for women that are experiencing hormonal fluctuations, including menopause.
Avocado High in Vitamins A, C, and E and amino acids that support the skin's collagen and structures. It is also anti-inflammatory and softening. Since this oil is a little heavier, I recommend it for very dry skin.
Sesame Seed Antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and a potent antioxidant. It penetrates very deeply, to the lowest layers of the skin, and even the blood capillaries. (NOTE: when buying for your skin, make sure to get the unrefined as opposed to the toasted version.) Since this oil penetrates extremely deeply, it is great to pair with a heavier oil. The sesame seed will do the job underneath the skin, and the heavier oil will provide a protective layer on top. Try my Ashwagandha & Sesame Oil for this type of blend. Sesame seed is the traditional massage oil used in Ayurveda for the Vata type constitution.
Carrot Seed Very high in Vitamin A (that retinol is derived from) and excellent for chapped, dry, cracked skin. It helps to balance the moisture levels inside and outside the skin cells. Carrot seed is great if you're one of those people that drinks plenty of water but still ends up with dehydrated skin. It will help keep the water from the dreaded TEWL (transepidermal water loss.) To get your hands on some of these, try out one of my Infused Oil Blends. I take carrier oils and steep them in nutrient rich herbs and botanicals to create blends designed to make serious changes to your skin. You can check them out here in my online store.
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