The New Nation - Internet Edition

Nahid Sultana

Winter is upon us and winter skin care is probably on your mind. This time of year not only brings us some of the most beautiful scenes on postcards or paintings, but it also brings us a need for dry skin treatment.

Skin tends to dry and flake in the winter. When the days shorten and the temperature dips, your psyche and your skin may both rebel against the changes. Seasonal changes are normal, and one way to boost your psyche is to pamper and nurture your skin back into its natural healthful, glowing state.

Drink a hot glass of water with lemon juice at morning to assist your body in removing toxins. Drink plenty of water to hydrate your skin and offset the lack of humidity. Cold drinks, coffee and tea dehydrate the body; so while your liquid intake may be higher in the winter, make a special effort to include hydrating beverages. If you really don't like the taste of water, add lemon or lime juice, or eat more foods with a high water content.

Brush your dry skin with a skin brush before your daily shower or bath. Not only does this practice remove dead debris from the outer layer of the skin, it encourages toxin release as well.

Limit your exposure to hot water. Warm water will cleanse the skin just as well as hot water without the drying effect. A hot bath every now and then isn't going to damage your skin, especially if you're soaking in a pampering bath with sea minerals or pure essential oils, but avoid regular hot baths. Quick showers in warm water help minimize excessive drying. End your bathing routine with a skin oil, lotion, or butter.

Wear lip protection. Forget any nonsense you may have heard about your lips "becoming addicted to moisture." They require moisture, because they contain no oil glands. If your lips chap before you switch to a more emollient lip balm, exfoliate with one of the new lip exfoliants. A lip balm with any of the butters, such as shea butter, cocoa butter, etc., is a good choice. A waxy lip balm serves a dual purpose; it keeps lipstick in place as well as sealing in moisture. Reapply as often as necessary.

Exfoliate your skin once or twice a week and your face as needed to remove dead, flakey skin. Hands and feet require more frequent exfoliation in the winter. You'll find that your heels flake and crack more in the winter. Follow exfoliation with a rich moisturizer. You don't need to spend a king's ransom on special hand and feet exfoliants. You can create your own concoction with salt or sugar and carrier oil such as sweet almond oil. This blend exfoliates and moisturizes at the same time. Add a little essential oil, and you have your own high-priced product for pennies on the dollar. Rub into your hands and feet in a gentle circular motion, and rinse well. For extra-deep conditioning, exfoliate right before bedtime, moisturize, and don gloves and socks while you sleep.

Protect your skin from the elements. If you spend time outdoors, particularly skiing, add a sunscreen to your regimen. In the winter, brisk winds add to the damage from the elements. Your body may not feel warm, but you can still get a sunburn. Studies show that we receive more ultraviolet rays in the winter than was previously thought.

Nourish your skin from the inside. Eat right, take proper vitamin and mineral supplementation, exercise regularly, and sleep right. It's winter for heaven's sake-nature hibernates.

Oranges, tomatoes, amla

Benefits: "Oranges contain Vitamin C which is most essential to protect your skin from harmful ultraviolet rays. This vitamin helps in preventing wrinkles by producing collagen in the skin. For those who are unfamiliar with the term, collagen is responsible for your skin being "elastic" and that means less wrinkles. Eat one whole fruit (not just juice) everyday, regularly for beneficial effects."

Oatmeal, whole-wheat bread

Benefits: "Vitamin E is a natural anti-oxidant that helps protect the skin against harm done by pollution and too much sun. Oatmeal face scrubs are popular because oatmeal is a natural exfoliant. With its fiber content, it also contains Vitamin E. Oat is a very good moisturizer for the skin."

Carrots, beet roots

Benefits: "Vitamin A is also known as an anti-oxidant. And the best source is carrots. You can also try squash and beetroots. Vitamin A helps regularize the skin cell renewal and hence its regular consumption helps you get a smooth, soft and supple skin."

Papayas

Benefits: "Apart from being a low-calorie fruit, papayas filled with the goodness of carotenoids releasing vitamin A. They have an anti oxidant effect and help in maintaining younger looking skin. One bowl (apx. 200- 250 grams ) of fruit a day is enough."

Sunflower seeds

Benefits: "Sunflower seeds contain essential fatty acids which help skin secrete natural oils that lubricate it and prevent water loss. This helps keep skin soft and supple, improve hair texture and reduce blackhead formation. Take three teaspoons twice a week or use sunflower oil to cook your food in."

Green tea

Benefits: Green Tea is a global favourite being loaded with flavonoids and antioxidants. They prevent skin from UV rays and free radical chemicals in the atmosphere, prevent wrinkle formation and remove blemishes from the skin. Take Green tea (without milk) boiled in hot water twice a day to enjoy the beneficial effects. It is very good for combating the changes in skin during menopause.

Aloe vera

Benefits: "It is considered a miracle plant with multifarious positive effects on the human body. The juice of this plant is very beneficial for patchy irritated skin; helps prevent acne and skin pigmentation. Simply take 30-40 ml of juice daily for better skin. However do not extract juice from raw pulp but take the juice available at chemists in pre-packaged form. Raw pulp if ingested without processing can contain some harmful ingredients which may cause stomach upsets and more.

Blueberries and purple grapes

Benefits: These purple foods have gained popularity lately due to their anti-aging properties and their use in the cosmetic industry. Purple food can prevent breakdown of collagen and slow the wasting of muscles. Not only are these foods used for consumption orally to delay signs of aging, purple grapes, grape seed oil and red wines are used popularly for the skin and aesthetic spa treatments. Popularized as vinotherapy, the science behind the therapy is that the polyphenols found in grape seeds, help regenerate the collagen and elastin in the skin, thus the anti aging effect. It also causes the repair of the tissue damage.