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Organic Skin Care – Winter Routine

 

Good Winter Earth’s Enrichers!

Organic Skin Care- Winter RoutineThis is the coldest part of the year. Do you have what it takes to complete the winter routine challenge? Each day during the harsh cold of the winter season, there is a routine to keep your skin healthy and give it what it needs to protect itself from the cold atmosphere. The goal of this winter routine is to keep your skin moisturized– that way it won’t become chapped or blistered.

Believe it or not, during the cold winter season your skin is introduced from one extreme climate to the next. When you’re outside it’s pure cold, maybe a harsh wind or two, and sometimes without enough moisture to help your skin. Then when you go inside to warm up, it can be too hot for your skin reducing the amount of its moisture.

There are routines that you can do to keep your skin hydrated and protected.  The most important area of focus is the skin on your face. In the winter you are more than likely covered neck to toe in warmer clothes that shield your arms, legs, and sometimes hands from the harsher weather. Your face has to endure the whipping wind and extreme cold—so it should be your priority before you leave the house to have it properly moisturized.

To moisturize properly, look for moisturizers especially for your face that protect from the cold and also the sun! Even though it is freezing and it feels like the sun is on vacation, it is really still emitting rays that could negatively affect your skin, depending on the sensitivity. Look for moisturizers that contain sunblock. That way you add another layer of protection to your facial skin.

The usual morning routine consists of washing your face.  During cold weather, it’s best to take extra precaution in your facial cleansing.  Since the cold weather already has the capability of drying out your skin, try not to use cleansers that will aid in this. Instead, try looking for cleansers that do not contain sulfates or alcohol, which tend to dry out and chap skin.

Remember, your lips are a part of your face and they need their own special kind of care. When it’s cold it can be even more difficult to keep your lips from falling apart, so be sure to look for moisturizing lip balms or chapsticks that contain sunblock. That way your entire face is happy and you can show it through your lips with a perfectly comfortable smile.

Your hands are very important you, so it makes sense to keep them moisturized as well, especially if you don’t have gloves. That way you give your hands a fighting chance against winter’s scorn. Keeping them moisturized helps prevent abrasions (such as splitting of the skin due to dryness) and uncomfortable things like hangnails.  Since your hands are one of the most busiest parts of your body, you might want to use creams to help keep them moisturized longer.

Outer beauty isn’t always all that counts; it’s inner beauty as well. Eating and drinking properly can keep your skin nourished. Other than moisturizing properly, you should drink lots of water. It helps keep your skin moisturized. It’s almost like your body’s back up plan against dryness. So keeping it fueled with enough hydration helps keep you looking young and refreshed, instead of dry and ashy.

Even though we highlighted a few areas that need the most care in this weather, it is important to moisturize all of your skin on a daily basis. That way your entire body is protected.   So we challenge you to take up these routines in 2014 to shield your skin from the harsh elements of the outdoors. 

The EE 411: General Steps

For keeping your face moisturized and ready for the day:

  1. Wash your face using alcohol-free (sulfate-free, etc.) cleansers.
  2. Use moisturizers that are beneficial for your skin type and contain sun protection
  3. Avoid exfoliating when skin is dry or chapped; it could cause blistering. (If this happens, you should see a medical professional.)
  4. Apply lip moisturizer (balm, chapstick, etc.) that is beneficial for your lips and also contains sun protection.

What not to leave the house without:

  1. Lip balm (or chapstick, etc.)
  2. Water bottle
  3. Hand sanitizer
  4. Hand cream
  5. Gloves

Give your hands a hand! Moisturize them before you leave the house and after washing your hands when going outside. That way they can help you do the activities you do every day. Stay warm!

Share with Us: What are your winter routines to keep your skin protected?

(This post was brought to you by Earth’s Enrichments.  Similar posts can be found by visiting our Blog.  More information about our  company and products (USDA Certified Organic Soaps, Organic Bath Salts, Organic Sugar Scrubs, Organic Body Balms and Organic Lip Balms) can be found on our Website. Thank you Earth’s Enricher!) 

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Natural Lip Care

Natural Lip CareHey Earth’s Enrichers!

Lip care?!  I know what you are thinking, what about lip care?  What is there to know other than moisturize by using chap stick? Well, what you may not know is how important it is to moisturize your lips properly.  Just like the other fleshy parts of your body, your lips can be sensitive and may need special treatment.

Have you ever heard of lip allergies?  It can happen when the skin on your lips reacts negatively to certain lip products.  The symptoms may include burning, itching, or even chapping.  These symptoms can also occur if your lips are not moisturized properly.  But most importantly, allergic reactions to lip products can be triggered by some ingredients in the products themselves, such as propyl gallate.  This ingredient is found in a number of lipsticks.  Also, look out for phenyl salicylate which can cause lip irritation as well.

Most folks forget that their lips are also exposed to the harshness of the elements.  Cold weather, wind, and even the sun can affect your lips.  So, wear lip products that can comfort your skin but also protect it from the elements.  They make chap sticks, and lip balms for a variety of occasions.  For instance, if it is freezing and the wind’s blowing fiercely, unless you like minty cool feeling, try to avoid it.  Use something more soothing and warming like coconut or aloe vera based lip products.  Also, it is important to use chap sticks and lip balms with sunblock in them.  It helps protect your lips against the sun’s rays.

When selecting and buying lip products that suit your needs, make sure you read the directions along with the ingredients.  Believe it or not, some chap sticks are strictly made for medical usage and should only be used in certain dosages.  If used incorrectly, you could potentially damage you lips.

The EE 411:

Your lips aren’t just there to complement your smile.  Their primary purpose is to help you fulfill your nourishment requirements meaning they’re there to help you eat.  They come in contact with everything you eat and drink!

When drinking or eating foods or beverages that are high in acid (citrus, etc.) it could potentially dry out your lips and irritate them.  Also, if you’re eating greasy or oily foods, be sure to wipe your lips and around your mouth so that they don’t break out or become irritated.

Do not use wipes (like the ones they give you in restaurants for your hands) to wipe your mouth.  They were not designed for facial usage.  If you have baby wipes (for facial usage) or any wipe that is designed for facial skin, use those.

One of the other most frequent things that come in contact with your lips is toothpaste.  For some of us it touches our lips about two or three times a day.  Toothpaste can contain chemicals called guaiazulene, and sodium lauryl sulfate which can cause chapped lips and skin irritations.  So always read the toothpaste labels so that you know what is coming in contact with your lips.

Try to avoid alcohol, parabens, fragrances, menthol, camphor and phenol cool.  These can produce lip irritations as well.   

Last but certainly not least, don’t lick your lips too often.  No matter how attractive you think it is, it can irritate you lips as well.  Keep your hands and any foreign objects (metal objects) away from your mouth.

Share with Us: What are some of the things that you do or use to prevent irritated & chapped lips?

(This post was brought to you by Earth’s Enrichments.  Similar posts can be found by visiting our Blog.  More information about our  company and products (USDA Certified Organic Soaps, Organic Bath Salts, Organic Sugar Scrubs, Organic Body Balms and Organic Lip Balms) can be found on our Website. Thank you Earth’s Enricher!)