Just like any transition, the shifting seasons can take their toll on our minds and bodies, and the start of winter can be a difficult time in particular. In today's blog, I share five easy ways to turn your routine into a relaxing winter skincare ritual - inviting you to take a moment to pause, nourish your skin and nurture yourself. Ideal for anyone looking for healthier, naturally glowing skin this winter.
Do I need to change my skincare routine for winter?
As the temperature drops your skin has to cope with cold winds, dry air, central heating and more time indoors. It's a perfect time to keep your skin feeling nourished and protected from the harsh elements and dehydrating effects of heating indoors.
Gloomy skies coupled with short days can wreak havoc on our mental and physical well-being. Just as we switch our wardrobes to welcome the winter season, embracing relaxing wellness rituals will enable us to find balance and harmony during the colder months and help us to feel grounded at times of stress or uncertainty.
It doesn’t have to be time-consuming. Just take just a few minutes each day to disconnect from technology and the hustle and bustle of the day.
"People don’t notice whether it’s winter or summer when they’re happy."
Anton Chekhov
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Five ways to enjoy a relaxing winter skincare ritual
1. Breath
You might be thinking, "what's all the fuss about, breathing is automatic, and my body knows what to do!" But according to research, how we breathe can change how we feel. It can help lower stress levels, calm the nervous system and take your mind away from distracting thoughts. It’s reported that Navy Seals use this method to control their stress levels.
Try the box breathing technique. You can practice this at any time. All you need to do is sit or lie down in a comfortable position, close your eyes, take a deep breath in through your nose for a count of 4, then hold your breath for 4 counts, breathe out through your mouth for 4 ands hold again for 4..
Think of your evening skincare routine as a time for mindfulness, time to breath deeply and slowly and be present with yourself. Enjoy the aroma of essential oils that ‘smell like relaxation feels’, take a moment to notice the contours of your face and how the products feel as they glide over your skin. Be kind to yourself.
2. Cleanse
It's best to keep your routine simple, starting with a gentle, soap-free cleanse that doesn’t strip your skin of sebum and helps to maintain a healthy skin barrier. When it's cold and dark outside, bring some sunshine in with a Reset Cleansing Balm massage. Enriched with Moringa, Sacha Inchi, Calendula and Carrot Root, Reset gently melts makeup and daily impurities from your skin while essential oils of Rosemary, Chamomile, Geranium Bourbon and Lavender soothe and calm your mind. The omega, vitamin rich formula nourishes and protects while maintaining the skin barrier.
Start by relaxing your neck and shoulders, massage a pea sized amount of balm into dry skin before removing with a warm, damp flannel or organic cotton face cloth. You could even enjoy a 'mini mask' by leaving the balm on your skin for 5-10 minutes while you relax or take a bath.
3. Bathe
One of the simplest ways to turn self-care into effective practice is to enjoy a bath. This ultimate wellness ritual is stress-relieving, regenerative and indulgent. It helps you to relax, recuperate and promote good sleep. It's also true that the bathroom is one of the few places in your home that you can sneak away to for a little moment of calm! You can be intentional and transform your space with ⠀
☁️ the softest towels ⠀
🌱 plants to clean the air⠀
🌸 aromatherapy to calm you ⠀
✨ candles to soften the light, and ⠀
💦 bath oils to nourish your skin.⠀
Try adding a pipette or two of Restore Radiance Booster Oil to your bath, lovingly infused with mood boosting Ylang Ylang and Geranium, uplifting Mandarin and Bergamot and soothing Sandalwood. This is the time to give yourself kindness and love - wash away the day, cocoon yourself and feel buoyant.⠀
4. Hydrate
In winter, the outer layer of your skin (the epidermis) finds it hard to retain sufficient moisture. I read a great analogy from Harvard Medical School Women's Health Watch - think of the epidermal skin cells as an arrangement of roof shingles held together by a lipid-rich "glue" that keeps the skin cells flat, smooth, and in place. Water loss accelerates when the glue is loosened by weather damage, over-cleansing, scrubbing, or underlying medical conditions — or by winter's low humidity and the drying effects of indoor heat.
Give your skin a boost of long lasting hydration without weighing it down by applying two pumps of Replenish Hydrating Serum followed by a pea sized amount of Revive Multi-action Face Cream to your face, neck and chest. Cup your hands to inhale the beautiful, delicate scent while moisturising your skin.
Revive Multi-action Face Cream
5. Nourish
When winter bites we want our skincare to help us feel soft, calm and comfortable - just like our favourite snuggly jumpers. Just a couple of minutes to gently massage your skin with a nutrient rich oil is incredibly therapeutic and is a quick and easy way to nourish your skin, prevent future damage and leave you feeling radiant and relaxed.
Take a moment to apply 1-2 drops of Restore Radiance Booster Oil. You can use a jade roller or gua sha tool to massage the oil into your skin, or just use your hands in gentle upward sweeping movements (there are lots of ‘how to’ tutorials online). If your skin is particularly sensitive, try Restore which is free from essential oils, but has the same glow-giving formulation of 7 fruit and seed oils.
Try to practice these rituals in the early evening before you become too tired. Use this time to create a break in your day, marking the transition from daytime to evening, giving your skin an opportunity to detox and your body a signal that it’s time to prepare for a good night’s sleep. As the skin rejuvenates naturally overnight, an evening skincare routine helps to deliver the best outcomes from your products.
Or, enjoy these rituals any time of day. You may be a morning person who loves the peace of the house before anyone else wakes, the sunrise or the sound of blackbirds outside your bathroom window. Fit these tips around your lifestyle and make them your own.
4 Step Natural Skincare Ritual
As a busy working mum juggling the work/life balance, I understand the importance of building in selfcare each day and prioritisin0 time for wellbeing. These winter rituals are small, easy ways to build in more love and kindness for your mind and body even if you have little time. I hope they will help to restore you.
Thank you for reading. Stay warm and cosy!
Sarah x
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Pamoja is a high performing natural skincare brand, designed to help you nourish your skin and nurture yourself.
As seen in Vogue, Stylist, Woman's Health. Natural Health Magazine, Top Sante and more.