Soothing Winter Body Care

Winter can be extremely harsh and wreak havoc on your hair and skin. Your complexion begins to look dull, your skin is dry and itchy, your lips are chapped, your hair is zapped of any moisture and the change in temperature as you step foot from the outdoors into the comfort of your home dries out any moisture left in your skin.

The solution can be the perfect at-home spa day to restore from head to toe, with natural recipes that can be easily made with items in your kitchen to nourish your skin and hair back to health.

Set the Mood

What's a spa day without some relaxing music, an aromatic candle and a glass of wine or a soothing cup of tea? Start with that and then take a warm washcloth and spray with your favourite relaxing oil (lavender, chamomile, or vanilla are great to destress with). Put the washcloth up to your face and take a deep breath of your soothing, oil scented steam. Take this time to decompress and be present.

For Your Hair

A hot oil treatment for your hair can be beneficial to relax the mind while repairing and protecting strands. Warm a bowl of coconut or castor oil and coat hair (apply to dry unwashed hair) from scalp to strands. Focus on massaging the scalp from the base of the neck up to the front of the scalp. Massaging your scalp encourages hair growth and relaxes a stressed mind. It can also feel surprisingly meditative. Throw on a shower cap to keep in the heat which helps penetrate the strands, replenish and strengthen dry hair. Leave on for 20 to 30 minutes or longer and wash out.

For Your Face

Begin by making a face mask using 1 tablespoon of fresh lemon juice mixed with 2 tablespoons of honey. If you do not have lemon and honey you can substitute with yogurt. Spread a thin layer on to face and leave on for 15-20 minutes. This mask will brighten your complexion, lightly remove surface dead cells while hydrating skin. Rinse off and follow with a moisturizer (preferably oil based, as they are naturally nutrient-rich and can help heal and restore skin).

For Your Body

The finale. First, start by exfoliating with a body scrub. Exfoliation is key. Mix 1 cup of brown sugar, 1 cup olive oil and ½ cup chickpea flour and apply to dry skin. It will help to remove dead skin cells and stimulate cell regeneration. Massage in slow circles to stimulate circulation that will, in turn, help fight cellulite, revive skin cell growth and provide skin with a glow. Take your time and enjoy this treatment.

Next, draw yourself a bath filled with bath salts, such as Himalayan salts, which aid in healing psoriasis and eczema and detoxify your body. In addition, the mineral content of a Himalayan salt bath can be valuable in maintaining the protective barrier of the skin while allowing it to hold in hydration. After stepping out of the bath, massage your body with some warmed up oil onto slightly damp skin. Take time to end with massaging the sole of your feet with oil.

Your winter at-home spa day should leave you feeling rejuvenated and relaxed. I encourage using natural ingredients because it can be remarkably restorative and soothing since they are innately nutrient rich without the harsh chemicals or toxins. Natural skin care can be very effective, provide long-term results and give you the radiant skin that you’ve dreamed of. This routine may seem a lot, but it can be done in about 45 minutes to an hour for those who have a busy schedule or little children clamouring at the bathroom door. Enjoy your luxurious locks and newly found silky skin!

Creator and founder of Arya Essentials, Shadoh Punnapuzha formulates all-natural luxury skincare products inspired by the time honoured science of Ayurveda. Proud of her heritage and fascinated by the oldest form of medicine in the world, she works with a team of Ayurvedic Doctors in India to provide authentic skincare based on this ancient science that is still widely used throughout the world. Arya Essentials uses high quality, organic and wildcrafted ingredients that are nutrient rich to heal and revitalize the skin.