4 Ways Cold Weather Can Benefit Your Skin

Often times when we think winter, we think cracked hands, dry skin, basically all the unsavory skin conditions that the cold inflicts on us. But, since there are many more months of cold weather ahead, we have looked into some of the perks of freezing temperatures. Here are 5 ways that the cold actually helps your skin!

1. Helps Keep Pores Clog-free.

The great news is that the cold weather helps reduce and keeps pores less visible and refined. Acting as a sort of tonic or astringent. the cold weather slows down the secretion of sebum which reduces acne and keeps the shine away.

2. It Can Improve your Sleep.

Getting a full night’s rest is necessary for skin health and wellness, from reducing under eye circles to keeping your skin glowing. High heat during the nighttime is proven to disturb sleep whereas the cold supports the body’s natural temperature drop during sleep. Research shows the colder the temperature in the room, the better sleep you will have.

3. It Can Reduce Puffiness

The cold promotes blood circulation in both the body and the face, which reduces inflammation and swelling!

4. It Can Help With Anti-Aging.
The cold enhances your complexion and rejuvenates your skin. It also slows down the aging process—think of cryotherapy spa treatments or splashing cold water on your face in the morning—and keeps skin tight and vibrant.

Give Yourself A Post-Holiday Detox

Happy almost new year! Hopefully, your holiday season was everything that you wished for and you are looking forward to the rest of your year. Feeling very positive about the year ahead but maybe a little guilty about your over-indulgences? Read along for some basic post-Christmas detox tips.

Exfoliate
Exfoliating and dry body brushing are fantastic ways to help to boost circulation and improve the appearance of dulling skin. Both of these methods offer a great vitality boost for neglected skin. Start your first week of detox with a gentle exfoliation mask or face wash every two days, then drop back to once a week as you do not want to damage delicate facial skin. The body, however, can benefit from dry brushing every day. For glowing skin, brush your skin daily, towards the heart, from your feet upwards.

Cleanse

The rich foods and alcohol we consumed of the holidays tend to be more than usual, which means now is the time to cleanse the body of those additional toxins. A great first step is to start each day with a cup or glass of warm pre-boiled, or cold bottled water, with some added lemon juice. This is a fantastic detoxifier and your body will thank you for it! Avoid alcohol and caffeine (if possible) completely for the period of your detox.

Diet

If you haven’t already, give your body a break from heavy, rich or processed foods including red meat and products that contain wheat. Try to keep dairy to a minimum (a probiotic yogurt or eggs). Smoothies and organic vegetable soups provide a great meal alternative to a detox.

Aromatherapy Oils

Patchouli, lemon, juniper, grapefruit or geranium oils are all great for detox. Add 6-8 drops to your bathwater for the best results! It is always a good idea to patch test any oils that you have not previously used before including them in your detox in the event of any sensitivity.

Exercise

Exercise is the best thing you could include in your detox plan. Yoga is a fantastic option for both mind and body and as little as ten minutes in the morning and ten in the evening will help you to remain focused, relaxed and better able to deal with cravings.