The cold wind and drier temperatures of winter tend to wreak havoc on my skin and hair, especially since I suffer from rosecea now that I am older. To combat these effects I use several products and strategies to keep my hair, skin, and nails moisturized so that I can maintain a healthy appearing “glow”.
Mayonnaise
Yes, mayo isn’t just for your leftover turkey sandwiches. When I notice that my scalp is beginning to flake or my hair to feel dry I coat my hair and scalp with a liberal amount of mayonnaise. I then wrap it up in an old towel or cap and let it “soak” for several hours, or preferably overnight, before I wash it out. I also let the mayonnaise remain on my fingernails and cuticles during this time, as it deeply penetrates and restores my skin.
Baking Soda and Vinegar or Beer
When I wash out the moisturizing mayo treatment, I add some baking soda to my regular shampoo to help it wash out more easily. I then add a little vinegar or beer to my rinse water to help adjust the PH and remove any remaining mayonnaise odors. This leaves my hair soft, bouncey and moisturized against the elements.
Epsom Salt
When I am showering, I add some Epsom salts to my wash cloth and scrub the hardened or rough areas of skin such as my elbows, knees and feet. This helps slough away dead skin cells and leaves my skin feeling smoother and refreshed. After I dry I slather on a heavy moisturizer, such as Aquaphor, to help protect these areas of my skin.
Oatmeal, Honey, Tinted Moisturizers and Buttermilk
I also used a paste made from uncooked oatmeal and shower gel to wash my face and remove dry skin. I then apply a light coat of tinted moisturizer, such as the ones by Aveeno, to help protect my skin. At night I remove this, and any other cosmetics, and then I apply a light coat of raw, unprocessed honey to help fight breakouts. If I have been unlucky enough to be out in the elements long enough for the skin on my face to chap, I soak cloths in buttermilk and apply them to my face for thirty minutes to an hour. This helps reduce swelling and inflammation.
Water, Sleep and Exercise
I also drink 8 to 10 glasses of water a day to stay hydrated, exercise briskly for at least thirty minutes a day, and get 6 to 8 hours of sleep a night to help the appearance of my hair, skin and nails as well as improve my overall health and mood.