As temperatures drop and the days grow shorter, it's essential to prioritize self-care that keeps us warm, nourished, and comforted. Winter's chill can take a toll on our skin, energy, and mood, but with a little effort, we can turn the colder months into a season of coziness and care.
From nurturing skincare to soothing rituals, here are some tips to help you stay warm and practice self-care this winter. Includes bonus golden turmeric latte recipe!
Bathe in Warm Comfort
Taking a warm bath isn’t just about escaping the cold—it’s a chance to relax and rejuvenate your body and mind. By creating a thoughtful bath ritual, you can melt away stress while giving your skin the love it needs.
The science behind warm water.
Did you know? Studies (1) have found that taking a warm bath or shower improves circulation and vascular function. The heat from the water encourages the heart to work faster, creating pressure on the body that turns into energy and thus will be able to naturally keep you warm for longer time.
Our best bath tips:
Fill your tub with warm water (not too hot, to avoid drying out your skin):
A warm bath helps to relax your muscles, improve circulation, and hydrate your skin when combined with nourishing additives like Epsom salts or essential oils.
Add Epsom salts:
Epsom salts (magnesium sulfate) are a wonderful addition to your bath. They can help relax sore muscles, reduce inflammation, and promote relaxation.
Add essential oils:
Try adding a few drops of lavender essential oil. Lavender is known for its calming and anti-inflammatory properties, making it ideal for soothing both the skin and mind. Alternatively, chamomile essential oil is a great choice for calming irritated or sensitive skin. Avoid citrus essential oils like lemon or grapefruit before exposure to sunlight, as they can make your skin photosensitive.
Tip for extra coziness:
Light a natural beeswax candle to create a warm, calming ambiance. Beeswax candles also emit negative ions that can help purify the air, making your bath experience even more rejuvenating. Try Indo Naturals' Himalayan Beeswax Candle!
Rejuvenate Your Dry Skin with a Winter Routine
Cold weather can leave your skin sensitive and irritated. Winter is the perfect time to simplify and strengthen your skincare routine. Focus on gentle, natural products that protect and hydrate your skin.
Skincare Routine For Winter:
Use a gentle, sulfate-free body soap with nourishing ingredients like shea butter, aloe vera, or coconut oil.
Keep showers short and use lukewarm water to avoid stripping natural oils.
After showering, apply a thick, hydrating body lotion or cream while your skin is still damp to seal in moisture. Look for formulas with ingredients like glycerin, urea, or ceramides. Pay extra attention to elbows, knees, and heels, which tend to dry out more.
For your face: If you have sensitive skin and experience your face getting extra dry during winter, try our Soft Soak Face Wash Bar. It has aloe vera and date syrup to help hydrate and nourish, while cucumber can help soothe the skin. Calendula gently cleanses and helps reduce irritation and is moisture retaining.
At Indo Naturals you can find some great natural soap bars to help you keep your skin smooth and soft. Both our Essential Meditation Probiotic Soap Bar and the Ayurvedic Remedy Probiotic Soap Bar contain nourishing oils which help restore your skin’s natural moisture barrier and prevent dryness.
Importance of Exfoliating:
In winter, our skin often lacks moisture as it gets dehydrated. A study (2) has found that exfoliation process helps to remove dying skin cells and helps the moisturizing and hydrating ingredients penetrate deeper into the skin. We recommend trying our 100% plant based natural loofah body scrub!
Layer Up for Skin Protection
Your skin needs extra care during winter to stay healthy and hydrated. Harsh winds and indoor heating can dry out your skin, making it essential to lock in moisture throughout the day.
Tips to protect your skin
Natural fabrics like wool or hemp (vegan alternative!) can help keep your body comfortable and warm. They both poses long-lasting fiber properties that are great for keeping in heat whilst letting your body breath. Conscious shopper tip: try your local second-hand shops to find clothing or take up a new knitting hobby and make it yourself!
When going outside, don't forget to wear gloves. Often the cold makes our knucles and fingertips really dry, a protective layer over them helps alot!
At home, use a humidifier to add moisture to the air in your home to prevent your skin from drying out.
Enjoy Warm Winter Drinks
One of the simplest ways to warm up in the cold is to enjoy a steaming mug of your favorite winter drink. Whether it’s a spiced chai tea, hot chocolate, or a golden turmeric latte, these moments of indulgence can become an act of mindfulness. Plus holding your cup is a perfect way to warm up your hands!
Pair your drink with a mini wellness ritual!
Light an incense stick during your evening wind-down or morning ritual to invite a sense of calm and warmth into your space. Whether you’re just enjoying a warm drink, meditating, journaling, or simply relaxing, its a great way to add a touch of serenity to your winter wellness routine.
It has been shown (3) that incense sticks that contain frankincense, have beneficial properties and can be therapeutic! It's rich, smokey, and woody aroma evokes a sense of grounding and tranquility, perfect for combating the season’s cold and dark days. Known for its ability to promote clarity and cleanse negative energies, frankincense is a timeless choice for creating a harmonious and peaceful atmosphere during the winter months. It's a relaxing way to explore spiritualism without the need to take it too seriously!
Sources:
Brunt, V. E., Howard, M. J., Francisco, M. A., Ely, B. R., & Minson, C. T. (2016). Passive heat therapy improves endothelial function, arterial stiffness and blood pressure in sedentary humans. The Journal of physiology, 594(18), 5329–5342. https://doi.org/10.1113/JP272453
Behalpade. S. REVIEW ARTICLE: SKIN CARE WITH EXFOLIATION PROCESS. (2022) IJCSPUB | Volume 12, Issue 2 May 2022 | ISSN: 2250-1770. https://rjpn.org/ijcspub/papers/IJCSP22B1150.pdf
Al-Yasiry AR, Kiczorowska B. Frankincense--therapeutic properties. Postepy Hig Med Dosw (Online). 2016;70:380-391. Published 2016 Jan 4. doi:10.5604/17322693.1200553. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27117114/
