Diary
All year round, moisturizing your face and body is an essential step to protecting your skin from external factors, in addition to delaying signs of aging. And your beauty routine wouldn't be quite complete without thinking about moisturizing your hair, which can quickly become dry and unmanageable. Face, body, hair -- which treatments should you opt for to stay properly hydrated?
Proper hydration: treatments and lifestyle
When your skin is dehydrated, it becomes rough and uncomfortable, and small spots can appear. In winter, the cold can dry out the skin, causing redness and tightness. In summer, sun, air conditioning, salt water, and chlorinated water can also wreak havoc. No matter the season, it's important to moisturize all year round, not just in winter, as we sometimes think. The solution: apply a moisturizer adapted to your skin-type, morning and night. For your daily skincare routine, avoid using harsh soaps. Instead, consider paraben-free shower gels or soap-free alternatives. A balanced diet, with a sufficient intake of fruits and vegetables with a high water content, as well as consuming 1 1/2 liters of water per day, will add to a healthy glow.
How to choose your face moisturizer?
For the face, moisturizing products often come in a cream form. For normal skin, a good "classic" moisturizer is perfectly suited. However, if you have dry skin, a cream rich in fatty acids, such as "water in oil" is recommended. If your skin is a “combination” or tends toward oily, consider using lighter "oil-in-water" type creams to avoid excess sebum and unwanted pimples. Beyond the age of 30, anti-aging formulas are recommended to prevent skin sagging and the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
Body moisturizer: textures for all skin types
Body moisturizers come in different forms: milk, cream, butter and oil. You can choose them according to your skin type, age and personal preference. If your skin is normal, body milks should do the trick. Their light texture makes them particularly pleasant to use, as they dry rapidly, allowing you to dress quickly after application. For dry skin, opt for creams which are more hydrating. While they are effective, they can be a bit "sticky", which is not always pleasant.
The joy of essential oils for moisturizing skin
If you like essential oils, you can either choose cosmetics that contain them, or consider mixing a few drops of moisturizing essential oil into your products. Hemp essential oil protects against free radicals, carrot essential oil offers regenerating properties, patchouli essential oil has the most delicious smell, and geranium essential oil has antiseptic properties. As essential oils are highly concentrated, never apply them directly to the skin -- or risk burning the skin, or a photosensitivity reaction.
Butters and oils: dry skin’s best friend
If your skin is very dry, forget milk and body creams. Instead, turn to butters, like shea and coconut, which provide moisture and nourishment; rich in fatty acids, these formulas nourish the skin deeply. To apply, warm a small amount of the product in the palm of your hand and massage it into your skin. Body oils will also nourish very dry skin, as they are effective, but tend to leave a greasy residue. To avoid this problem, use dry oils like argan, sweet almond, or jojoba, which have a dry feel while having the same benefits as traditional oils. These multi-use oils can be used for the body as well as the hair.
“Natural” recipes to nourish and moisturize dry hair
Damage from sun, wind and chemical treatments can cause your hair to lose its shine and softness, resulting in brittle hair with split ends. Nourishing oils for dry hair include coconut, olive, avocado, sweet almond, and argan. Apply these oils on the ends only, then wrap your hair in a warm towel for 30 minutes before washing with a mild shampoo. If your scalp tends toward oily, considering using jojoba or hazelnut oil instead. Aloe vera, used as a hair mask in gel form, is another beneficial plant to help thirsty hair regain its luster. As with the oils, leave it on for 30 minutes before using a gentle shampooing.