Everyone's skin is covered by a lipid mantle - a layer of fat produced by the sebaceous glands. Its function is to protect against sun, frost, wind, bacteria, viruses and fungi, as well as against water loss. There are also other fats in the skin that are well known to morphology: cholesterol and triglycerides. Their excess is undesirable in the blood because of the risk of atherosclerosis. For the skin, however, they are extremely important: they soften and moisturise, and help other nutrients to penetrate deep into the skin.
Most often, we harm ourselves: we overdo it with sunbathing, including winter sunbathing, we expose the skin to large and frequent temperature fluctuations, hot and dry air at home and icy air outside, or we rub it out with overly aggressive peels. Holes then develop in the lipid m antle. Pollutants and viruses enter through them, and moisture escapes. The skin loses elasticity, starts to sag, herpes pops up on the lips. The face and hands, become dry and may even crack, as the affected epidermis begins to peel.
An ingenious base for nourishing, repairing winter cosmetics is olive oil (especially valuable in winter because it improves circulation and warms up) and oils:
sunflower, almond, grape and pumpkin seed, avocado (protects against the cold, heals chapping) and shea butter.
Home remedies
Calendula healing oil
Calendula soothes skin irritations, accelerates healing and improves elasticity. Sunflower oil is an excellent source of unsaturated fatty acids and vitamin E.
Pour sunflower oil (preferably cold-pressed) over ajar of calendula petals. Shake the container every day for 3 weeks, making sure the flowers are submerged, then pour the oil through a strainer into dark glass bottles. Keep in the refrigerator. Good for hand and foot care in winter. You can rub it on dry hands at night or add a spoonful to your bath.
Oil bath
When your hands get cold, rescue them with a warm olive oil bath. You can add a few drops of rosemary oil, which improves circulation locally and warms the fingers.
Evening primrose mask
A quick fix for dry, sagging and sensitive skin. Buy biennial evening primrose oil and infuse the contents of the capsule into your face.
A box of 60 capsules will last you all winter. You can occasionally add the oil to your bath. Just remember not to wipe yourself off with a towel as soon as you get out of the bath, but to wait until the lotion is absorbed!
Also, supplements containing polyunsaturated fatty acids strengthen the epidermis and counteract the escape of water: omega-3 fatty acids are much needed as we do not eat enough fish, and they have a beneficial effect on the appearance of the skin, the work of the heart and brain, and even on mood.