Five Pantry Hacks for Winter Beauty

Source: Shutterstock
Dry winter weather can cause havoc on our skin and hair, depleting moisture and leaving hands and lips chapped and sore.
Fortunately, you don’t need to bust your budget in the beauty aisle and splurge on products to help alleviate your winter woes, your pantry has everything you need to help keep skin and hair in tip-top condition throughout winter!
Honey for Dry Hands

View this post on Instagram

Honey is a natural #moisturizer that has #antioxidant, antimicrobial properties. It helps lock in moisture to keep your hands extra soft and smooth. #honeybenefits #honeyforskin #honeyforhands #honeytwigs #twigs #easytocarry #nostickyfingers #honeybee #honey #PureHoney

A post shared by Honey Twigs (@honeytwigs) on Dec 20, 2016 at 11:23pm PST

Chilly winter winds can leave hands dry, chapped and sore.  Honey, renowned for being a natural humectant, keeps hands hydrated.  Thanks to its anti-microbial properties any sores you have on your skin, especially around the delicate cuticle areas, will stay protected from infection.  A few times a week rub 1 tablespoon of clear honey onto your hands and place inside cotton gloves. Leave on for 15 minutes and rinse clean.
Coconut Oil for Dry Hair https://www.instagram.com/p/BsCqZxlHMyo/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link Lackluster dry hair is no opponent for coconut oil and this delightfully scented DIY hair mask will have your locks going from drab to glossy in no time flat.  After washing your hair comb 1 tablespoon of coconut oil through wet strands, making sure to get the coconut oil all the way through the ends (if you have long hair you made need to use more than 1 tablespoon).  Dampen a towel and microwave until warm and wrap the warmed towel around your hair and cover with a shower cap. Alternatively, you can use plastic wrap. The aim is to create a warm, enclosed space around the hair to let the coconut oil work its magic.  After 15 minutes rinse with lukewarm water and style as usual.
Olive Oil as a Cleanser

View this post on Instagram

Our ingredients are so safe you can eat them. Ok, we aren't guaranteeing you it will taste great, but you won't die. We are ingesting our lip products whether we want to think about it or not. We recommend giving it some extra thought. #tauibalm #egyptianbalm #rawbeeswaxskincare #organicoliveoil #propolis #honey #organicskincare #cleanbeauty #multitaskingbalm #nontoxicbeauty #nontoxicskincare #noadditives #oilbased #greenbeautyproducts #madeinportland #nofillers #portlander #welovebees #organicbalm #madebyhandportland #greenbeautyrevolution #locallymadeskincare #madeby4hands #oliveoilskincare #forthewholefamily #organicliving #allnatural #organiclifestyle #ingredienttransparency

A post shared by Taui Egyptian Skin Balm (@taui_balm) on Nov 29, 2018 at 1:00pm PST

Harsh skin cleansers can cause havoc on skin already feeling dry from winter weather.  Try ditching your normal skin cleanser in favor of olive oil. Take a quarter size amount of olive oil and rub between your hands to warm.  Then apply it to your face and gently massage into your dry skin (olive oil will even remove stubborn eye makeup). Make sure to focus on problem areas where your skin is extra dry, especially around the nostrils and then taking a clean washcloth soak under hot water and lay over your face until the washcloth gets cool.  The hot steam from the washcloth will help the olive oil remove any impurities and relieve dry skin. Repeat until you have removed any makeup.
Take an Oatmeal Bath https://www.instagram.com/p/BsW5bRBBb18/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link It may seem odd to add oatmeal to your bath, but it really helps to soften dry skin.  For an easy, mess-free oatmeal bath simply place one cup of uncooked oatmeal into an old sock and tie closed.  As the water is running into the bath hold the sock under the faucet and squeeze. The bath water should turn a nice milky color as the liquified oatmeal goodness mixes with the bathwater.  An oatmeal bath is also excellent for those suffering from eczema and other irritating skin conditions. You can also play around with scents you add to your oatmeal bath. We love adding soothing lavender to our oatmeals baths.
Avocado Mask for a Dry Face https://www.instagram.com/p/BlvsqPaFKI1/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link Avocado, with its rich fatty consistency, makes a fantastic face mask for dry winter skin. Simply take one ripe avocado, remove the skin and stone and mash the pulp until creamy. Add one tablespoon of clear honey and mix until combined. Smear the mask over your face (avoiding the eyes) and leave on for 15 minutes. Rinse your face with lukewarm water and gently pat dry.