Battle the Winter Beauty Blues with Soothing Natural Oils
During winter, do you seem to suffer from an annoying case of the beauty blahs? Don’t
fret; it happens to the best of us. Consider the following symptoms and decide if you need a seasonal styling tune-up:
• Does your complexion seem dull, dry and lifeless?
• Has your hair lost its luster and manageability?
• Are chipped, brittle nails forcing you to hide your hands in public?
If you nodded your head in agreement while reading this, then you may have a touch of the beauty doldrums. Welcome to winter! It seems that the seasonal shift brings cold air, dry heat, and harsh winds to wreak havoc on hair, skin and nails. Are you ready to fight back? Then strike it rich with oil. That’s right…oil!
Now, I’m not talking about the petroleum based, drill-from-the-ground black gold, but organic, natural essential oils. These nutrient rich oils are good for you, have both health and beauty benefits, and are currently in demand for all the right reasons.
Let’s take a closer look at these natural emollients for thirsty tresses and parched skin:
Argan Oil (a.k.a. Moroccan Oil)
The salon product industry has helped this nutty oil emerge as the go-to ingredient for quality hair and skin care. Argan oil comes from nut kernels grown on the argan tree, an endangered species from Morocco. That explains the tendency toward a higher price, but the results are well worth it.
Infused with omega-3 and omega-9 fatty acids and vitamin E, this healthy oil penetrates and treats the hair shaft. It locks in moisture to repair damage and encourages growth. However, it isn’t greasy at all; in fact, it’s lightweight and only a little bit is needed for big results. These qualities make it work well for skin and nails too. Perfect cure for winter ailments! Watch for Moroccan oil to show up in many new products for 2014.
Coconut Oil
Ah, the smell of the tropics. This fragrant oil reminds us of the beach while delivering healing properties internally and externally to our bodies. It is currently enjoying a surge in popularity, especially with recent promotion from Dr. Oz and similar medical and beauty experts. Like argan oil, coconut oil contains omega fatty acids and vitamins to reduce protein loss in hair, something that makes damage visible. It also enhances natural color and promotes shine if used as a conditioning agent. When massaged into hair (about 1-2 tablespoons will do), your scalp will naturally fight dandruff.
Applied topically on face, coconut oil serves as an anti-inflammatory lotion against acne. It also has anti-aging properties to fight wrinkles and replenish moisture. Add sugar to the oil to create an excellent exfoliator for face and body. No more dry winter skin!
Check out more tips on the uses of coconut oil here. You’ll be surprised at the variety of its benefits.
Olive Oil
It’s not just for cooking anymore. Containing powerful antioxidants, olive oil helps to eliminate the buildup of free radicals in the body. This protects the hair follicles from being killed off, so olive oil has been touted as a remedy for hair loss. It works wonders on dry hair and can leave it shiny, moisturized, and frizz-free. It serves as the base for most of the hot oil treatments we know and love. Try it for yourself- heat about a half cup in the microwave and apply to hair. Add fragrant oils too if you like. Leave on about 10 minutes, and rinse. Voila…instant shine!
Winter skin gains relief too, as olive oil is excellent for treating dry skin, stretch marks and inflammation. Dry, split nails will enjoy a soak in warm olive oil to promote strength and deliver softer cuticles. What a great base for a winter manicure treat.
So even though these essential oils are found in nature, many popular retail products wisely advertise them as key ingredients. Modern style mavens are learning and loving the value of these oils that have been around for centuries. Let’s join them to say goodbye to the beauty blues, and hello to a glamorous revival!
Readers, have you noticed an improvement when using any oil-infused hair product? Let us know what you recommend for great results.
The oil of prickly pear is excellent as wrinkle care, only drawback is its price high. I apply this oil only on the eye.