Adjusting Your Beauty Routine for a New Climate

When moving to a new city or into a new season, the change in climate can affect you not just emotionally, but physically too, in the form of your skin, hair, and general health.  It’s incredibly dry here in Austin, and with winter approaching (even though it remains somewhat mild here) the change in climate has required some adjustments to my beauty routine. Here are some remedies I’ve been trying out lately:

For Your Skin

exfoliating scrub

Fall may have started a while ago but it’s been relatively mild so far, and it was still downright warm when I arrived in Austin. In the past few days though, it has cooled down and really started to feel like fall. During the summer months, a layer of dead skin builds up, and while our bodies exfoliate naturally, it’s nice to get rid of that sun-damaged skin at the end of the season and start fresh. Exfoliating also helps clear out your pores, allowing other products, like moisturizers, to work more effectively.

Lately I’ve been reading about the amazing benefits of grapeseed oil for the skin. It’s a very light oil with barely any fragrance, and its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties help to heal damaged skin, while tightening and moisturizing. Grapeseed oil is a great option for making your own exfoliating scrub – just combine the oil with sea salt and a squeeze of lemon! Use the scrub to get rid of that dead summer skin, leaving it feeling and looking fresh and rejuvenated.

exfoliating scrub ingredients rosehip oil

Rosehip Oil

Another miracle worker for the skin is rosehip oil. After reading (on this here blog) about the many benefits of using oil instead of cream moisturizers, I finally made the switch. There are many oils out there to choose from – you can read about just a few of them here — but lately I’ve been using rosehip oil.  The oil, extracted from rosehip seeds, contains Vitamin A and Vitamin C, both of which have powerful anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that replenish the skin and combat sun damage and aging. I apply the oil at night after washing my face, and when I wake up it feels so incredibly soft.

For Your Hair

hair mask ingredients

I’m not sure if it’s a difference in the water in Austin, or the dry air, or leftover damage from summer (maybe it’s a combination of the three), but my hair has felt incredibly dry and dull lately.  My first method to combat this is a simple hair mask of banana and honey.  The potassium from the banana repairs damaged hair and helps strengthen and speed up growth. Mash up an overly ripe banana, add a spoonful of honey, and apply to hair. Let it sit for about 20 minutes, and then wash and rinse thoroughly.

apple cider vinegar

The second method I’ve been trying out is an apple cider vinegar rinse. Brigette has been talking this stuff up for years and I finally gave it a shot. The acetic acid in apple cider vinegar works to remove any excess buildup in your hair and balance pH levels, and also stimulates the scalp to promote growth.  Mix one part apple cider vinegar with one part water, and apply to hair after washing. For best results, rinse with cold water to lock in all those beneficial properties, leaving your hair feeling lighter and shinier.

For Your Allergies

local honey (3)

Moving to a new city can definitely have an effect on your allergies. For some, like me, those allergies aren’t terribly noticeable at first, but they creep up on you in the form of a general fogginess. I referred to this post, and went out and got some honey. Ingesting a spoonful of raw, local honey helps combat allergies by building up your body’s immunity to the local pollen.

local honey

What methods have you used to adjust to a new climate? Let me know in the comments!

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Madeleine
9 years ago

Love this- my skin on my face and hands have been feeling very dry lately, but I don’t reccomend the mask. I tried it once and it left a ton of dried banana bits in my hair that clogged up the drain and then what I couldn’t get out in the shower looked like huge dandruff that I couldn’t get out of my hair for a couple of days.

debra
9 years ago

Ive been using Apple Cider Vinegar rinse for a long time. It’s great if you have curly hair as it brings out the curls like CRAZY! I do this about once a month – 1/4 c of ACV mixed in a cup with water. Pour on hair after shampoo and conditioner. Works like a charm!

9 years ago

I looooove rinsing my hair with apple cider vinegar! It makes my hair so soft and shiny. Just don’t get it in your eyes!

I also love using plain honey as a face mask – it will leave your skin super soft and moisturized.

http://fabulosityfactor.blogspot.com

9 years ago

Thank you so much for this! I will be trying some of them for sure :)

http://www.hayleyeszti.blogspot.com

meg
9 years ago

i’ve been using ACV on my hair for a month now…i LOVE it!!

http://www.waterlilyshop.com
@waterlilyshop

9 years ago

I do have to move on to cream cosmetics (eyeshadow, concealer) when the colder months come along. Powders and mineral cosmetics look terrible on me in the winter.

9 years ago

I definitely need to give those hair treatments a go!
Siobhan xx

9 years ago

I will definetly try the hair mask… It sounds as if I could eat it hahaha

xx Cecil // http://www.wednesday19th.blogspot.com

9 years ago

I really need to try out that honey and banana mask. My hair has been super dry lately, and I’m hoping that it will do the trick and make it less brittle. I’m also trying to use oils instead of moisturizers on my skin, so I might try out the rosehip oil as well.

-Helen

http://www.sweethelengrace.com

9 years ago

Very interesting tip about the honey! Loved this.

Warm Regards,
Alexandra
http://www.littlewildheart.com

9 years ago

I am saving this for future reference! Thank you!
xoxo Kennedy
Northern Indigo

9 years ago

Love braggs apple cider vinegar! Use it for everything!

http://www.etsy.com/shop/flourishdesignco

9 years ago

This was a wonderful article.
I would only have one thing to add: vinegar is not a good idea for anyone who has skin that tends to redden. Instead, dab some lemon juice on your face :)

9 years ago

I love these homemade natural masks. Thank you! There are many masks like these
http://lifestuffs.com/fruity-beauty-tips-5-fresh-easy-natural-facial-masks/

Brigette
9 years ago

Hahaha, “talking this stuff up for years”. So true. Thx 4 the shoutout bb.