Winter brings cosy evenings, warm soups, blankets to snuggle in, and long nights with the family. Amidst all the joys, there are a few downsides however.

Image courtesy of artur84/freedigitalphotos.net
This is the season of dryness and strong winds when even trees have to go bare
and it spares not us humans, our skin, our hair
During winter we often hear complaints of:
Dry, itchy skin that flakes easily
Difficulty to stretch skin
Dry, frizzy hair that easily breaks
Spa treatments are not only time and money consuming, but also subject to high levels of chemicals. This DIY skin and hair care treatment is made with natural ingredients from the pantry - one mixture for the skin and hair both.
Ingredients
2-3 tablespoons natural yogurt
1 tablespoon honey (preferably raw organic)
Lemon juice from a quarter lemon
1/2 tablespoon coconut or olive oil
Method
In a clean bowl, mix all the ingredients except the oil and mix well with a spoon.
Clean your face and apply the mixture with your fingers or cotton ball.
For hair, rub some coconut or olive oil on the scalp for nourishment. Apply the above mixture through the hair strands.
Leave this on for 15-20 minutes.
Wash face with lukewarm water and pat dry.
Wash hair with mild shampoo and conditioner.
You may do both the rituals separately. Safe to do two-three times a week.
How each component works
Honey
It is a natural humectant, thus helps to seal in the moisture and prevent dryness.
Emollient action i.e. it softens skin and hair.
Anti-bacterial and antiseptic - prevents skin eruptions and itchy scalp or dandruff.
Yogurt for skin
It contains:
Lactic acid which exfoliates and moisturises skin. It prevents wrinkles.
Zinc which is anti-inflammatory.
Calcium which is an anti-oxidant and helps in skin renewal. It heals dry, scaly skin.
B vitamins, for healthy skin cell regeneration.
Yogurt for hair
Deep conditioning action.
Moisturises and untangles.
Repairs damaged cuticles and split-ends.
Lemon juice for hair
Helps relieve dry, itchy scalp and dandruff.
Clears the built up residue of hair products from scalp and hair.
Contains vitamins B, C and mineral phosphorus. Thus it strengthens roots and promotes hair growth.
Since lemon has a slight bleaching action, used along with yogurt and honey can reduce its acidity without significantly reducing its benefits.
Lemon juice for skin
When used in combination with honey and yogurt, it prevents wrinkles and has an anti-aging action.
NOTE: Do not use lemon juice directly on dry skin as it can worsen the problem.
Other than this skin and hair regimen, a few more points to remember:
Drink lots of water (approximately 2 litres daily)
Use a good sunscreen even in winter.
Limit use of styling products and hot instruments to hair which strip the hair of natural oils and moisture.
Oil the scalp before washing.

Image courtesy of stockimages/freedigitalphotos.net
This simple regimen will surely help maintain your glow and luster, so you can go ahead and enjoy this wonderful season without worry.
If you have any winter care tips, please share with our readers by leaving a comment.
Related articles
* Harmful chemicals in cosmetic and body care products
* Choosing skin care products
* Natural oils for dry, curly or frizzy hair
Categories
#Natural Beauty
#Skin Care
#Hair Health