Post Winter Skin and Haircare Tips

by Shahnaz Husain

Tips for Post Winter Skincare

Harsh cold winters have dehydrated your skin, leaving it dull and in need of rehydration and rejuvenation. Therefore, it becomes essential to indulge in preparing Ayurveda-based skincare solutions or opt for a complete skincare range such as Shahnaz Husain. With these simple-to-apply tips, the natural beauty of your skin can be restored and nurtured back to health, maintaining its natural oil balance; however, these practices should be incorporated into your daily routine, as continuous care is what truly keeps the skin healthy.

Ayurveda Scrub

Exfoliate your skin with gentle ayurvedic scrubs. For instance, you can prepare a scrub using one tablespoon of granulated brown sugar mixed with a teaspoon of honey. This not only gently exfoliates but also ensures that your skin is hydrated and well nourished. Rinse off your skin with lukewarm water.

Skin Hydration

Often after winter, your skin may still be affected by extreme weather conditions, leading to dryness caused by fluctuating temperatures.

For this reason, you need to hydrate your skin with essential oil mix. For instance, prepare a skin serum using few drops of lavender essential oil mixed with a tablespoon of almond oil. Massage it onto your skin till it is absorbed and then leave it on overnight.

Ayurveda Body Lotion

Your body also needs nourishment and rehydration; therefore, it is essential to prepare a DIY lightweight body lotion infused with natural ingredients. Three easily available ingredients you can use at home are coconut oil, almond oil, and beeswax. Melt these together, and once the mixture cools, add a few drops of lavender essential oil, a tablespoon of aloe vera gel, and a few drops of Vitamin E oil. Transfer the lotion to an airtight container and use it daily after bathing for naturally soft and nourished skin.

Herbal Bath

Preparing an herbal bath helps relax your muscles and soothes a nervous system that may have been overactive during winter. Post-winter is the ideal time to rejuvenate and unwind. Use lukewarm water and add dried chamomile and lavender along with bath bombs; you may also add a few drops of rose essential oil to enhance the soothing experience as you soak after a long day.

Natural Body Mask

Rejuvenate the skin on your face and body with an Ayurveda-based body mask made from one tablespoon of honey, half a teaspoon of turmeric, a few strands of saffron, and one tablespoon of dried rose petal powder. Leave it on for 15 minutes, then rinse with lukewarm water. Use once a week for healthy, glowing skin.

Hydration from Within

Your body also needs internal hydration to support healthy skin. Indulge in herbal teas such as rose, mint, and green tea infused with tulsi. Drink green tea daily and keep sipping water infused with cucumber and lemon slices.

Natural Body Cleanser

Instead of using harsh chemical-based cleansers, opt for natural body cleansers containing tulsi, neem, and sandalwood, along with other essential oils, to gently cleanse and nourish the skin.

Ayurvedic Body Oils

Almond oil, sesame oil, and organic coconut oil help improve blood circulation and detoxify the skin. Regular body massage with these oils rejuvenates the body, nourishes the skin, and relaxes the nervous system.

Exfoliate Your Feet

Do not neglect your feet, as they require extra care post-winter due to dryness and flakiness. Using a peppermint- and aloe vera–infused foot scrub, followed by nourishing with warm olive oil, helps restore softness.

Tips for Post Winter Hair Care

These easy-to-follow hair care tips help restore your hair’s health, making it bouncy, shiny, and well nourished:

Get a new hair cut if you can or else get your hair trimmed for healthy hair growth. Ensure to weed out the split ends when you reach the salon and communicate the same to your stylist.
Use a light weight shampoo that clarifies your scalp and provides volume like Shahnaz Husain Arnica Shampoo Plus.
Deep condition your hair with a leave-in conditioner. Prepare a DIY with two tablespoons of aloe vera gel mixed with one tablespoon of coconut oil. Apply it on damp hair, leave it on for half-an-hour and then rinse with a mild shampoo.
Prepare an Ayurveda hair mask using two tablespoons of amla powder mixed with rose water and leave it on until dry before washing. Or you can prepare a hydrating hair mask with two tablespoons of aloe vera gel, one tablespoon of coconut oil and one tablespoon of curd; then leave it on for 20 minutes and wash off. This can be done twice a week to achieve healthy and shiny hair.
Avoid heat styling unless it is required, as it leads to hair breakage and weakens the hair follicles.
Use silk pillowcase to reduce hair damage and frizz.
Never tie your hair tightly. Use silk hair ties or scrunchies and go for loose ponytails and waves to avoid hair breakage.

Post-winter is the time to rejuvenate and restore skin and hair health by undoing the damage caused by cold weather. Nourishing your skin and hair with Ayurveda-based ingredients helps restore balance while nurturing and revitalizing naturally, without side effects.

Shahnaz Husain

Shahnaz Husain, founder and managing director of The Shahnaz Husain Group in India, is globally recognized for her pioneering work in promoting Ayurveda and herbal beauty care. She received the prestigious Padma Shri in 2006 for her remarkable contributions to trade and industry. Shahnaz's global brand success story, achieved without commercial advertising, is now a Harvard Business School case study. She has also lectured at MIT, University of Oxford, and London School of Economics. Shahnaz represented India at President Obama's World Summit for Entrepreneurs and was named "World's Greatest Woman Entrepreneur" by Success Magazine in 1996.