Winter Weariness:

How to Beat the Winter Skin-Care Blues

By Marie Harris 

If you are anything like me, dry skin and hair are unwanted guests in our Canadian winters. I used to dread the thought of dry, tight feeling skin; chapped lips; rough, cracked heels and elbows; and my biggest fear: flyaway hair!

Going to the drugstore can be a nightmare too. Rows and rows of body care products promising moisture and relief from winter dryness can leave the best of us confused at the very least. Allergic reactions and sensitivities can be the bane for the best of us.

But, there is a natural way to combat the dredges of dryness. Using what Mother Nature has provided for us, we can remoisturize without the negative side effects of chemical formulations. Here are a few tips to finding helpful products to help you through the winter.

Use a natural soap without chemicals in the formulation. Natural soap made from scratch contains glycerin, a natural byproduct of the soapmaking process which is known for its moisture drawing properties. Natural ingredients such as vegetable oils, butters, pure essential oils, botanicals and spices can create a very effective and esthetically pleasing bar of soap that our skin loves.

Floral waters are the natural byproduct of the essential oil distillation process. They are naturally moisturizing by nature, and depending on the botanical, have other important qualities. These versatile waters can be used on hair and skin; in your bathwater; or as a subtle room spray.

Natural balms and salves can be helpful for dry areas of skin, or for overall moisturizing qualities. Usually, they work in two ways: one, they use ingredients that are known to heal and moisturize the skin; and two, they create a barrier that helps keep the moisture in. Use a formulation that suits your individual needs. If you require an intensive remoisturizing, use Bonsai Faery’s moisture stick. For maintenance and prevention, try one of our massage balms.

Many of us like to take more baths in the winter. Ironically though, more frequent bathing can actually contribute to our dry skin condition. Compromise with your skin by using moisturizing bath formulations in your bath. Bonsai Faery moisturizing milk bath uses all natural ingredients including cocoa butter and sea salt in their bath line.

Canadian regulations require that all cosmetics have an ingredient list on their labels. Read these carefully. To familiarize yourself with the technical names for ingredients, check out www.bonsaifaery.com for a helpful reference list. Find plain English listings of ingredients for all of our all natural bath and body products on the website, as well and more helpful information for your natural beauty news.