DRY SKIN REMEDIES

Some people simply have naturally dry skin. In fact, more than 50% of adults struggle with it. There are a variety of factors that can cause dry skin, from genetics to the environment. In the winter, dry skin can become even more of a problem thanks to cold temperatures, a lack of moisture in the air, and biting winds. With that in mind, let’s look at three easy home remedies for dry skin all season long. Using the right products on your skin to keep it healthy and hydrated throughout the winter will make a big difference in how you look and feel. But, it’s not always easy to find products you can trust.

Coconut oil truly seems like a cure-all for the health and beauty industry. It has dozens of uses, from keeping your hair healthy and shiny to boosting your immune system with antioxidants.

When it comes to your skin, though, using a bit of organic coconut oil can give you a dewy, hydrated look in minutes. Not only does coconut oil hydrate the skin and make it look smoother, but the properties of the oil will actually fill in any “space” between skin cells, making your skin stronger and healthier. The best part? You don’t need to mix it with anything or worry about applying it in sensitive areas. Coconut oil can be used on its own, and it is completely safe for any area of your body. You’ve undoubtedly heard the phrase “you are what you eat”. Well, your skin is a reflection of what you eat, too! By eating foods high in sugars and carbohydrates, or foods laden with chemicals and preservatives, you aren’t giving your skin the nutrition it needs to stay strong and healthy. You should be eating a balanced diet yearround. But, in the winter it’s especially important to take in foods with a lot of antioxidants and omega-3 fatty acids. These can be found in things like: ●Salmon ●Blueberries ●Olive oil

●Beans ●Tomatoes ●Carrots Good skincare starts from the inside out. By making a few simple changes to your diet, you’ll notice a big difference in your skin. It’s not uncommon to want to take long, hot showers in the winter months to warm up. But, a hot shower could be drying out your skin even more. Hot water is an enemy of skin, pulling away moisture and potentially causing damage.

Take cooler, shorter showers as much as possible, and always wash your face with a cool rinse, rather than hot water. There are, of course, some incredible products available to help with dry skin, including Colorscience products. Don’t be afraid to do your research and create a routine that is a combination of natural remedies and products you can trust. With a few small changes, you can keep your skin hydrated and healthy for many winters to come!

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Many people frequently express their distress at not being able to see their close family and friends during the global pandemic and, indeed, this lack of contact has caused serious emotional and mental hardship to many people. Students missing being able to return home to visit family, grandparents not seeing their newly born grandchildren are just two examples of the overwhelming sense of loss being endured at this time.

And there are other relationships which are also suffering, which cause more subtle, yet significant impact due to the resultant feelings of loneliness and separation. When we're only occasionally 'allowed' to go out and are then expected to keep our distance and not engage with others it means that we're losing out on the more casual, yet important day-to-day relationships which reinforce our sense of community and belonging. I'm reminded of a restaurant which my parents used to regularly frequent. Dominic ran the bar and whenever he saw my parents arrive he would immediately get their drinks poured and waiting for them. My parents loved this special treatment and the fact that he noticed and remembered them. His attention made them feel valued and important. That relationship was an important part of the restaurant experience. We all have similar scenarios. The coffee or sandwich shop where they know our order, the shops and service providers where they remember little details and treat us well. I recall how I smiled when my usual supermarket cashier expressed surprise when there were no flowers in that week's shopping! Being recognised and acknowledged reinforces our connections with others, making us feel noticed, valued and less alone. It matters little that these people are not friends and we hardly know their names. These relationships are part of a very different, yet important category.

Then there are those people we know well enough to share a few words with, the friend of a friend, a parent from school, someone we see passing by at work or recognise from the gym. We would usually have stopped, said 'hello', asked how they were, enquired after their holiday. Yet again, those gentle connections have gone and we're alone, quickly going out to collect our weekly shopping or ordering a take-away coffee, if indeed we're still leaving the house to carry out those errands. What about the arena events, the huge concerts and sporting dates, the networking expos where hundreds or maybe thousands of people congregate together with a shared collective enthusiasm, all cheering on

their teams, singing the words and dancing to their favourite songs, meeting and exchanging potential business contacts. Again that shared connection unites us with strangers who have similar interests. We may smile at each other, dance together, share anecdotes, stories and reminiscences for a time. Connecting with others raises our spirits. We're part of that club for a while, and it feels good, adding to the quality and satisfaction of the overall experience. Children too learn about relationships from face-to-face contact. Running up to a group of children who are playing, learning to share, take turns, lose, not get picked are all ways that children hone their abilities to communicate, tune in to body language, discover

what works and what doesn't work. Yet today, many of our opportunities for friendly interaction have been put on hold, only to be replaced by the delivery driver who now calls on a regular basis, the take-away restaurant that's familiar with your name and your usual order, the pre-arranged zoom meeting. Many of these transactions are now undertaken virtually, with orders left on the doorstep and little human contact. There have been some new friendships made during lockdown. Many people have started to take their daily exercise at a similar time, maybe going for a walk, run or bike ride. Meeting the same people can mean that a nod and polite greeting gradually evolves into a smile and perhaps a few words of conversation, but these exchanges are often made cautiously, from a distance. We may know very little about who we're meeting, but the sense of having shared interests in walking or nature creates a special bond and ensures a friendly acknowledgement when we meet. We may not have realised until now that a diversity of relationships is important in life. Not everyone we come into contact with has to be hugely relevant in every area of our life. Many are more whimsical, light connections, specific to certain interests and activities, but all nonetheless add sunshine and a feeling of belonging. A smile, a nod, a few words here or there; losing that is a huge blow to all of us. Let's hope we see them again before too long.

Torya asks “My Sagittarius friend for many years recently told me she no longer has time for me because of her busy work schedule. Should I give her space, or does she need my help?”

Torya is a Capricorn with Libra, too, in her Chart. Capricorns are focused and determined to achieve. At the same time, Libra brings balance to Torya’s personality. She has the disciplined ways of Capricorn balanced with the more easygoing affectionate qualities of the Scales. She will understand her Sagittarius friend’s need for greater freedom. Torya is a faithful friend and she will care about someone she has known for many years. Pluto and Uranus suggest there will be changes in Torya’s life and relationships in 2021. She should do her best to avoid conflict during the first half of the year. If this friendship is meant to continue, solutions will be found in the spring.

Brenda asks “I’ve moved back in with my Pisces mother over the last year and I’ve had trouble settling in. What do the stars advise?.?

Pisces is a Water sign and with Mercury, Venus, Jupiter and Pluto in Scorpio, another Water sign, Brenda will have a strong emotional connection with her mum. They share similar needs and whether listening to music, reading or discussing spiritual matters, they can be content for hours in each other’s company. Brenda also has the Sun and Mars in Sagittarius and her restless energy can drive her to distraction whenever she is in one place for too long. It isn’t their relationship but Brenda’s need for change, challenge and excitement that makes it hard for her to settle. If she can find activities and interests outside the home this could help ease her restless spirit.