A Holistic Approach to Winter Skincare & Dry Skin
As the winter chill settles in, we may feel cozier, but our skin starts to bear the brunt of harsh weather conditions, leading to dryness, chapping, and discomfort. It’s super tempting to throw on some vaseline, and thick skincare that’s full of ingredients for a “quick fix” but if you’re a lover of natural skincare like us, it’s crucial to look at winter in a more holistic and integrative approach; this means a pov that addresses not just the symptoms but also considers the overall well-being of you as a person.
How do you treat dry, winter-chapped skin and maintain a healthy complexion throughout the season but without the petrolatum and other questionable or harsh ingredients?
Understanding Holistic and Integrative Skincare
Holistic skincare involves treating the skin as part of a larger system, acknowledging the interconnectedness of the mind, body, and spirit. This approach goes beyond topical treatments, focusing on lifestyle factors, diet, and emotional well-being to achieve optimal skin health. Integrative skincare, which is a similar branch of the skincare ecosystem, combines conventional and alternative practices, merging the best of both worlds to address skincare concerns comprehensively.
Here are some of the best winter tips from both worlds:
- Glow from Within:
One of the fundamental principles of holistic skincare is hydration from within. During winter, it’s super important to really double up on water intake to combat the drying effects of indoor heating and cold winds. And water doesn’t have to be boring – it also incorporates hydrating foods like water-rich fruits, vegetables, and herbal tecitos. This not only nourishes your skin but also supports overall health.
- Oil-based Cleansing:
Swap out your regular cleanser for an oil-based one during winter like our very own Vamigas oil cleanser. Oil cleansers effectively remove impurities without stripping the skin of its natural oils. This gentle method helps maintain the skin’s lipid barrier, preventing excessive dryness and irritation. But don’t sit there and try to make foam. Oil-based cleansers don’t lather primarily due to the absence of surfactants, which are the key ingredients responsible for creating a foamy lather in traditional cleansers. Apply without water, then wipe the oil with a towel, taking the mascara and concealer off easily. You essentially will never need to scrub your skin harshly.
- DIY Your Beauty
Create a nourishing señora face mask at home using natural ingredients just as your great grandmother may have done. Mix a tablespoon of honey with ripe avocado and apply the mixture to your face. Honey is a humectant, attracting moisture to the skin, while avocado provides essential fatty acids and vitamins. Leave the mask on for 15-20 minutes, then rinse, and add a moisturizer (Vamigas Wild rosehip, soon at Target). Or if you want to make your own skincare at online stores like Bramble Berry, where I fell in love with at home formulating.
- Adaptogenic Herbs for Stress Reduction:
Holistic skincare recognizes the impact of stress on skin health. Add adaptogenic herbs like ashwagandha and holy basil into your routine to help support your mood and possibly even stress levels. How? Add them to your routine as alternatives to your cafecito. You can even grow things like Lion’s Mane in your very own house! You know what I’ll be trying to grow this season in my yard.
- Environmentally Friendly Skincare Products:
Choose skincare products that are not only effective but also easy on the earth. Pick brands that prioritize sustainability, using eco-friendly packaging and ethically sourced, transparent ingredients. By transparent we mean not hiding ingredients as “fragrance” and telling you where it comes from exactly. It’s all about being more conscious at the store and not just choosing things because they look cute or they are viral on Tiktok.
It really is more than taking care of dryness and chapping; it’s more about cultivating overall well-being. By prioritizing hydration, using naturally-derived ingredients, managing stress, and choosing sustainable products, you not only support your skin but you’ll also feel good overall. Maybe your moods will improve.
