Winter is a beautiful time of year. There’s a chill in the air, fireplaces are warming up our homes and it’s a grand time to cuddle with those we love. One of the downsides of winter for most of us is dealing with dry, cracked, itchy skin caused by dry air.

 While there are hundreds of commercial soaps and moisturizers  available on the market, many are made with synthetic ingredients and chemicals which have the propensity to dry out the skin. There are natural beauty soap alternatives to help heal dry skin without using harsh chemicals. In this article we will discuss several ideas how to help heal your winter skin.

Drink water.

Keeping yourself hydrated is key to whole body health. Just remember the old 8-8 adage, drink at least 8 8 oz. glasses of water a day. Drinking water not only benefits your skin, but it helps keep all parts of your body working properly. Dehydration, even mild dehydration, can make you feel tired, your skin will feel dry, your mouth will feel sticky dry and even mild dehydration can lead to headaches and constipation.

Use Natural Soaps

What you put on your skin is just as important as what you eat and drink because the skin absorbs most of what it comes in contact with. Many of the soaps on the market today are made with synthetic ingredients that can irritate and dry out your skin. Commercially made soaps such as Ivory and Irish Spring should be avoided as they contain petroleum products, detergents, animal fats and sodium laurel sulfate (SLS). SLS and other surfactants are often added to soaps to increase lather quality.  Many soaps also contain harmful parabens. Parabens are chemicals used as preservatives, which have been linked to possible carcinogenicity with prolonged use.

Using a natural soap such as my favorite Bellus is a healthy alternative. 

I love Bellus soaps as they are 100% natural and contains a powerhouse of ingredients to moisturize, firm, and clear your skin.

Beware not all natural soaps are created equal. A high quality natural soap such as Bellus will include 5 basic ingredients.

Shea butter:  Excellent for rejuvenating and moisturizing the skin, providing essential vitamins needed to make your skin smoother, healthier and softer, along with protection against wind, cold and sun, plus stimulates cellular activity to fight the effects of aging rough damaged skin.

Coconut oil:  To protect and prevent loose, sagging, wrinkled skin and heal and reduce blemishes all while removing dead skin cells leaving you with a healthy shine. Also provides an unbelievable clean you can’t get from regular soaps.

Grapeseed oil:  Providing antioxidants to slow the process of aging, clearing up acne by preventing clogged pores and breakouts, tightening , moisturizing and nourishing the skin without that greasy feeling.

Olive Oil:The #1 oil used in ALL fine soaps for centuries. Olive oil produces a moisturizing, hard but very mild soap and creates a luxurious , smooth long lasting lather. This is the oil that started it all!eral key ingredients.

* Click here for a Free Sample of Bellus Soap or scroll to bottom of this article for more infomation.

Avoid Hot Water

Avoid excessively hot water during your shower or bath and moisturize your skin upon exiting the bath while it is still damp and most receptive to moisture as your   pores are open. Using a slightly heavier lotion containing rich butters such as natural shea or coco butter will moisturize and protect winter skin. A body oil can be used as a moisturizer in bath as well as on skin after bathing. It gives your body a warm feeling as well as protects against dryness. Avoid over fragranced lotions and creams and opt for natural essential oil blends if you prefer scented products. Plant derived essential oil blends tend to be less drying and irritating than synthetic fragrances.

Regulate the humidity in your home by using a humidifier.

Low humidity in the air can cause chapped lips, dry skin, sinus problems and a dry cough. Using a humidifier in your home, especially when your heater is running can help alleviate these annoying issues. There are two types of humidifiers, cool mist and warm mist. Cool mist humidifiers usually work better for people who suffer from allergies and asthma. They are also considered safer, especially if there are small children in the home. Warm mist humidifiers can be used for steaming medications or essential oils (such as eucalyptus) and are wonderful if you have a cold. They do have to be cleaned more often though because warm water provides a good environment for bacterial growth. You can find a decent room sized humidifier starting at approximately $40.

Beautiful, clear skin does not have to be just a dream. With a few healthy habits and the use of a moisturizing, natural soap you will notice a considerable difference in your skin this winter.

Free Sample of Bellus Soap

To receive a Free Sample of my favorite Bellus Soap please click on the bar of soap below.

*Photo Credits: Bellus Soap Company