Does this chilly weather have you singing, "Little darling, it's been a long cold lonely winter..."?
Chances are your skin has been the unfortunate victim of this season's
harsh conditions. Cold air, wind, indoor heat and low humidity can be exceptionally hard on our bodies, robbing them of the beautiful moisture and vibrancy they had just a few months ago. But that doesn't mean you have to live with dry scaly legs,
chapped lips or a
dull complexion until the temps start to rise again.
It also doesn't mean you have to slather your skin with a lot of synthetic products and chemicals.
We were able to connect with our natural beauty expert, Janice Cox, co-author of "
EcoBeauty -- Scrubs, Rubs, Masks, and Bath Bombs for You and Your Friends." Click through the photo gallery below for some all-natural recipes that you can make at home to rehydrate, re-moisturize and replenish your skin the way Mother Nature intended.
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Homemade Remedies for Dry Winter Skin
All-natural recipes that you can make at home to rehydrate, re-moisturize and replenish your skin the way Mother Nature intended.
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Homemade Remedies for Dry Winter Hair
Honey and molasses are both natural humectants, meaning they attract and hold on to moisture. They are also excellent ingredients to use in creating your own conditioning hair pack to help combat dry winter hair. (Yield: 4.5 ounces)
Ingredients
1/2 cup honey or molasses
1 tablespoon almond oil
Directions
Stir the honey and oil together until well mixed. Then apply the entire mixture to clean, damp hair and massage into your strands and scalp. Put on a shower cap or cover your hair with plastic wrap and leave the treatment on for 20 minutes. Shampoo and condition as usual.
Homemade Remedies for Dry Winter Hair
This is a great conditioning hair mask for repairing dry, damaged hair especially during the winter months. It will help revive lackluster hair, from your scalp to the ends of your hair. (Yield: 5 ounces)
Ingredients
1/2 cup plain yogurt
2 tablespoon light olive oil
2 to 4 drops essential oil of peppermint
1 to 2 drops essential oil of rosemary
Directions
Put all the ingredients in a blender and mix until you have a smooth paste. Apply the mixture to clean, damp hair and massage into your hair and scalp. Put on a shower cap or wrap your hair in an old towel and leave the mixture on for 15 minutes, then rinse well with warm water and style as usual.
Homemade Remedies for Dry Winter Hair
Avocados are rich in oil, protein, B vitamins and vitamin A, and they are super-hydrating to dry, damaged hair. They contain more protein than any other fruit, and their abundant natural oil will coat your hair and form a protective barrier, keeping your locks well hydrated, soft and flexible. (Yield: 2 ounces)
Ingredients
1 ripe avocado, mashed
2 tablespoons sour cream
Juice of 1/2 lemon
Directions
Stir all of the ingredients together until you have a smooth paste, using a fork or blender. Apply the entire mixture to your head and massage it into your hair and scalp. Wrap hair in a warm towel or put on a shower cap and leave the treatment on for 20 minutes. Rinse well with warm water, then shampoo as usual.
Homemade Remedies for Dry Winter Hair
Use this conditioner once a week during the winter to keep your hair soft, radiant and flexible. It contains three natural oils that are effective in treating dry hair and easily found at your local grocery or natural food store. (Yield: 2 ounces)
Ingredients
1 teaspoon almond oil
1 teaspoon avocado oil
1 teaspoon olive oil
1 egg yolk
1 tablespoon honey
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
Directions
Mix all the ingredients together and stir thoroughly. Massage into your hair and scalp. Wrap your hair in plastic wrap or use a shower cap and leave the conditioner on for 15 minutes. Shampoo your hair as usual and rinse well.
Homemade Remedies for Dry Winter Hair
Using fresh eggs to nourish and condition your hair is a classic beauty treatment -- you may remember your grandmother doing this! The protein and lecithin contained in eggs keep your hair soft and smooth. (Yield: 3 ounces)
Ingredients
1/4 cup water
1 egg
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
Directions
Mix together all of the ingredients and stir well. Shampoo your hair as usual and massage the conditioner into your hair. Leave on for 1 to 2 minutes. Rinse thoroughly with warm water -- but not too hot or you could end up with bits of cooked egg in your hair! Follow with a cool rinse and style as usual.
Homemade Remedies for Dry Winter Hair
One final tip: Remember to lock-in moisture after cleansing and bathing by using a rich body oil or cream right away and use a daily moisturizer that contains glycerin, aloe and
vitamin E.
Want more ways to fight winter dryness? Try
these all-natural recipes for your hair!
