Ah, winter: the season of crackling fires, cozy sweaters, and... the unexpected electric jolt from touching your doorknob.
If that zap doesn’t grab your attention, the desert-like dryness of your skin surely will. But before reaching for chemical-laden products, consider simple, natural solutions to keep your skin glowing and your hair nourished—minus the mini lightning storm in your living room.
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Winter’s chill can be harsh, leading to dry, tight skin and brittle hair.
The good news? Nature offers us ingredients that work harmoniously with our bodies, enhancing our skin and hair’s resilience. Think plant-based oils like avocado, coconut and olive oil that deeply nourish without synthetic additives. These oils are rich in vitamins and fatty acids that penetrate the skin barrier, providing lasting hydration and protection.
Beyond moisturizers, incorporating water-based elements like aloe vera and hyaluronic acid (when used in properly formulated products) can help maintain moisture levels.
When it comes to self-care, less can often be more. Choosing clean, nature-derived products that are thoughtfully crafted ensures you’re feeding your skin and hair with ingredients they recognize and benefit from. This mindful approach to skin- and hair-care keeps you glowing through the season—no shocking surprises included.
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The beauty industry is booming, expected to skyrocket past $101 billion by 2027. But beneath the glitter and glam lies a daily ritual that raises eyebrows. According to the Environmental Working Group, the average person applies nine personal-care products daily, with a staggering 126 unique ingredients hidden within them.
One in four women uses 15 or more products every day, layering on chemical after chemical, often without truly knowing what these ingredients mean for their bodies or our planet.
The tide is shifting, though. Recent surveys reveal that more than 65% of consumers are now seeking out eco-friendly brands, and 55% are willing to pay a premium for sustainability.
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Most skincare products have three main parts: Water, a fat source, preservatives and other ingredients that we generally try to avoid if we're striving to live a non-toxic lifestyle.
What we often forget is that our bodies generally can't recognize many of the ingredients in skincare and don't always utilize them in the way we think they should.
Our skin can't differentiate between healthy and harmful ingredients, so if an ingredient goes on our skin (our body's largest organ), it goes into our bloodstream. This may not seem like a big deal since we generally use such a tiny amount of skincare on a daily basis, but each application adds up and can eventually cause greater harm.
One belief I once held—and often encountered in popular wellness circles—is that when the body encounters an unfamiliar chemical, it stores it in fat cells until it figures out what to do with it. The reality is far more complex.
When an ingredient enters our system that the body doesn’t immediately recognize or know how to process, it doesn’t go straight to our fat cells. Instead, the liver acts as the primary filter. It works to process and break down substances, determining whether they can be safely used or need to be eliminated. Over time, depending on the chemical and the body’s ability to detoxify it, some may be released to other organs or tissues.
This clarified process sheds light on why it’s crucial to understand what we put on our skin. It’s not just about being natural; it’s about choosing formulations that align with how our body can safely handle them. It’s so important to be guided by informed insights rather than myths!
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On the flip-side, when using skincare products made from simple, natural ingredients our body knows what to do with that ingredient and we know it's not harmful.
Here, we’ll explore some nourishing recipes for your skin, hair, and oral health to help you stay radiant and healthy throughout the colder months.
Here are a few simple formulas that anyone can mix with good results. Compliments of Sandra Powell (Nascent Naturals).
Rosemary Vitamin E Hair Repair Oil 60ml (2oz)
Ingredients: 30ml castor oil, 15ml jojoba oil, 5ml vitamin E, 5ml argan oil, 1ml (20 drops) rosemary essential oil.
Directions: Add all contents to an amber/dark glass 60ml (2oz) bottle, shake well. Gently massage oil into scalp and lightly coat hair. Or apply generously to hair and wrap hair in towel, let sit for 20 minutes or overnight, then wash out.
Soothing Facial Serum
Ingredients: 5 ml calendula oil, 10 ml castor oil, 10 ml jojoba oil, 10 drops pure vitamin E, 10 drops rosehip seed oil, 10 drops Immortelle (helichrysum oil), 30 ml amber glass bottle with glass dropper.
Directions: Add all ingredients to bottle, cap and shake well. Apply to face twice daily to soothe dry, inflamed, chapped facial skin.
Soothing Zinc Balm 100g
Ingredients: 15 ml coconut oil, 10 ml avocado oil, 5 g pure vitamin E, 30 ml castor oil, 15 ml sunflower oil, 5 g cocoa butter, 20 g beeswax, 10 g zinc powder, 20 drops chamomile (Roman) essential oil
Directions: In a double boiler, gently melt all ingredient to liquid state (about 60°C) except chamomile. This ingredient is sensitive to heat so will be added just before mixing.
Add the zinc slowly while stirring so it mixes thoroughly. When all other contents are mixed, add the chamomile. Remove from heat, allow to cool slightly while stirring and pour into containers. (Cooling can be accelerated by placing on a cold table or putting in fridge until solid.)
Use liberally on baby’s skin and diaper area.
My DIY avocado, turmeric and honey face mask
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Avocado nourishes and hydrates, turmeric helps reduce redness and brightens the complexion, and honey locks in moisture and fights bacteria.
Ingredients: 1/2 ripe avocado, 1 teaspoon turmeric powder, 1 tablespoon raw honey.
Instructions: Mash the avocado in a bowl until smooth. Add the turmeric powder and raw honey, mixing well to form a paste. Apply the mask evenly to your face, avoiding the eye area.
Leave it on for 10-15 minutes. Rinse off with warm water and pat your face dry.
Oil pulling for oral health
As part of my daily self-care, I practice oil pulling, an ancient Ayurvedic ritual known for naturally supporting oral health and detoxification.
How I do it. Take 1 tablespoon of coconut or sesame oil and swish gently in the mouth for 15-20 minutes without swallowing.
I spit it into a trash can (to avoid clogging pipes), rinse with warm water, and brush my teeth as usual.
Why It works: Coconut oil, with its lauric acid content, helps reduce harmful bacteria, supports gum health and keeps breath fresh. This simple, natural practice reduces plaque and promotes a cleaner, healthier mouth—keeping my oral health in top shape.
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In the world of beauty, knowledge has become the new power and ingredient transparency is now the crowning jewel of consumer trust. The days of brands skating by on vague promises and flashy packaging are over. Today, consumers expect more than claims—they want genuine, detailed insight into how products work and why each ingredient is there.
The ability to decode a label and truly understand it has become just as important as the results a product delivers.
Picture this: Looking up an ingredient and finding not only its origin but also a clear explanation of its purpose and environmental impact. This level of transparency is exactly what today’s shoppers crave. For the eco-conscious, ingredient traceability isn’t a passing trend; it’s a movement toward making informed and empowered choices.
It's the heartbeat of responsible beauty—a future where 'clean' doesn’t just mean free of certain chemicals, but ‘clear’ means honest and open.
Choosing natural self-care is about understanding ingredients and supporting a future where beauty reflects care for ourselves and our planet.
Monika Rekola is a certified landscape designer and horticulturist, passionate about gardening and sustainable living. Contact her at [email protected].
