Oils to Alleviate Winter Skin Woes

Apply one of these super-soothing oils for softer, smoother skin from head to toe.

While winter means yummy delicacies, long nights snuggled under a blanket catching up on beauty sleep, hot beverages and bingeing on movies … it also means dry skin, chapped lips and a plethora of dandruff! 

Albeit owing to its greasy nature, oil is considered to be the black sheep of the beauty world but it is this black sheep which if aptly selected can facilitate moisturized, smooth and glowing skin. 

No small wonder then that some of the fondest memories we treasure of winter pertain to our mother or grandmother giving us a head massage rubbing-in a rich quantity of oil into our thirsty scalp before we go for a hair wash; and also the mandatory application of oil on our entire body prior to our daily bath. Gen Next and the over health-conscious may wrinkle up their nose with disgust at the amount of oil in food but it is this very oil which in winter transforms into a magical potion for our dry hair and scalp. 

Read on to gain an understanding of the variety of oils which are a part-and-parcel of our winter hair and skin care routine -

Tea Tree Oil

Best for: Acne-prone skin

This is the essential oil extracted from the leaves of the Australian tree Melaleuca alternifolia. An innate ingredient of multiple natural acne remedies, it helps kill bacteria in the pores and hair follicles that lead to blemishes, and it penetrates the skin quickly. Dermatologists claim that when used in conjunction with alpha- and beta-hydroxy-acid washes it helps slough off dead skin cells to prevent clogged pores.

Safflower Oil

Best for: Dry, irritated skin

This contains linoleic acid, or omega-6 fatty acid, which helps your skin make ceramides, a type of lipid that helps the skin hold onto water and prevent dehydration. And is touted to be the best and most-economic of all the available oils for inflamed, dry skin 

Rose Hip Seed Oil

Best for: Uneven pigment, scars, fine lines, and acne-prone skin

Extracted from the seeds of a South American rosebush, Rose Hip Seed Oil has absolutely nil side effects. The omega-6 essential fatty acids and vitamins A and C in it work to increase cell turnover leading to fading of dark spots, scars, or any other skin discoloration. Moreover it pushes collagen and elastin production thereby benefitting aging skin; and its steep concentrations of linoleic acid help alleviate acne.

Olive Oil

Best for: Very dry skin

Replete with fatty acids and vitamin E it’s recommended for dehydrated skin. The best part is that olive oil does not cause allergies; but yes by virtue of it being a heavier oil facial use should be avoided especially for those suffering from acne. Studies claim that the antioxidant content in olive oil may help protect against skin cancer.

Lemon Essential Oil

Besides its refreshing fragrance lemon essential oil offers a range of benefits right from home care to skin care owing to its antifungal, antiseptic, detoxifying, calming and astringent properties.

Adding a few drops of lemon essential oil to your facial cleanser may aid in removal of dead skin; while adding it to hair oil and then massaging onto the scalp may help you get rid of that persistent dandruff

Lavender Oil

Best for: Acne-prone or irritated skin

This oil is collected from the fresh flowering tops of lavender and is highly recommended for acne and general skin irritations as it controls sebum production 

Jojoba Oil

Best for: General dry skin

Albeit a wax, owing to its chemical structure which is very similar to our skin's natural oils, jojoba is easily absorbed. The innate zinc, copper, vitamin B and vitamin E in jojoba help strengthen the skin.

Flaxseed Oil

Best for: Irritated, sensitive skin, and conditions such as eczema and dermatitis

Replete with omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, flaxseed besides being great for your complexion is good for your heart too! It can be consumed internally (by mixing the seeds in food) or topically (by applying the oil as a moisture). Research claims that daily consumption of flaxseed oil for three months can alleviate eczema

Coconut Oil

Best for: Sensitive skin, eczema, dry hair

The fatty acids in coconut oil are the perfect solution for eczema-infected skin. Moreover research claims that the 12-carbon fatty acid structure of coconut oil allows it to penetrate the hair cuticles and help provide flexibility and strength.

You can rub a small amount on dry ends, smooth a bit on your fingers to tame flyaways, or use it as a deep-conditioning treatment in the shower.

Avocado Oil

Best for: Dry, sensitive, or irritated skin

Rich in vitamin E and omega-3 fatty acids, which support proper cell function and decrease inflammation avocado oil is ideal for those with dry, itchy, or aging skin.

Argan Oil

Best for: Fine lines, dry skin, and dry hair

Extracted from the kernels found in the fruit of Moroccan argan trees, argan oil has steep levels of vitamin E, omega-3 fatty acids, and antioxidants. Besides playing a pivotal role in repairing dry, damaged hair this oil is an elixir for the face and body for the simple reason that the fatty acids enable the skin cells to make healthy membranes, alleviate inflammation and promote healthy collagen

Almond Oil

Almond oil is packed with Vitamin E which helps keep the hair and skin healthy besides stimulating collagen. 

Besides being a muscle relaxant and a hair thickener the skin-specific benefits of almond oil include –naturally moisturising the skin when blended with rosewater and applied on the face; getting rid of a flaky scalp when directly applied on the scalp 

Foodism hopes that the list of oils provided in this story will help you decide which one’s the natural solution for your skin and hair problems.

A word of counsel – Those with acne or sensitive skin need to do a patch test before zeroing-in on any particular oil