Once that clock springs ahead, not only do we lose an hour of our precious beauty rest, but we get more daylight—and you know what that means, right? Your skin—and your pores are on full display. Like, all the time.
Warmer weather is finally just around the corner. And while the winter chill may have us thinking about spring with a smile, don’t forget to take off those rose-colored glasses for the whole picture.
With pretty much all skincare ingredients, there’s a secret: balance. Going overboard with anything is a recipe for disaster sooner or later, and vitamins in skincare are no exception. While they do offer some amazing benefits—vitamin C for example helps build collagen, and vitamin A has shown an ability to defend against wrinkles—they can quickly turn from friend to foe if overused or used improperly.
Vitamin C helps to boost immune function and is vital for cellular function to help you fight off winter germs. But did you know it’s also a superstar for skin health as well? According to the Linus Pauling Institute, vitamin C’s antioxidant benefits and collagen-building properties make it a critical skincare ingredient.
Manuka honey is prized for numerous benefits when ingested including improved digestive health and a boosted immune system. But it’s benefits also merit applying it topically to the skin for numerous conditions.
Often made from coconut, activated charcoal is highly absorbent. It’s actually used in hospitals in emergency poisoning treatments (think of a kid drinking a bottle full of cough syrup). This highly absorbent or adsorbent, substance makes it a most unique and useful tool in achieving beautiful skin.
There are only a few weeks of winter left. But these last weeks can often be the worst for your skin—leaving it more sapped and lackluster than it has been all season. Credit that to the harsh cold and the harsh heat you’re probably cranking, too. And, okay, let’s leave a little room for all the late-night snacking as you binge watch “Stranger Things.” But, fate is on your side. At least, it’s on your skin’s side with this super simple two-ingredient face peel you can make in like two seconds.
The quest for flawless skin is often also the quest for pure ingredients. But there may be room for a bit of the exotic, too. Say hello to your new skincare secret: dragon’s blood.
For severe conditions, be sure to check in with your doctor. But for mild cracking and itching, give some of these DIY home remedies for treating cracked heels. Winter can be super rough on heels, leading to cracking, dryness, and even bleeding. Ouch!
Nothing lightens the weight of winter quite like the fragrance of flowers. The floral aromas just scream spring and summer and can bring a warmth to even the coldest days. One flower we’re particularly fond of is the neroli blossom—which is actually the flower from an orange tree.
Whether you prefer a cleansing oil or foam, or are a basic bar soap fan for washing your face, cleansing grains may just be the secret to a better natural skin care. Soaps can strip away the skin’s natural oils. But cleansing grains, while they may sound more harsh, can actually be gentler to the skin’s balance of oils.
It’s that time of year again. Time to take a look back and a look forward by setting those New Year’s resolutions. Still using a synthetic deodorant? Maybe start there. Or how about that beauty salon hair conditioner? We bet there’s a cleaner one that’s just as good. Make as many (or as few) swaps as you like.
