7 NATURAL BODY BUTTERS TO RESCUE THAT DRY WINTER SKIN
If you’ve been following me for a while you’ll know I love oil!!! Hair oil, body oil, face oil — all feeding the mind-body from the outside in, protecting, soothing. In Ayurveda, the same Sanskrit word for oil “Sneha” means both “love” and “oil.” As we move closer to mid winter and feel the effects of the previous Vata season, the central heating and the harsh weather on our skin, many of us need to double up our efforts on bringing in the “love” from the outside.
This time of year I reach for something quite heavy-duty — a rich creamy whip of a body cream rather than light swathes of oil, so I thought I’d share my round up of some favourites of mine over the past year that are natural and nourishing. These are also handy for travelling as they are less likely to spill, and good for those starting out with oil application to avoid splashing. As someone who has spent most of the year pregnant — which promotes a wind-up of Vata in the body — I’ve been slapping these on frequently to soothe and feed my body from the outside in (particularly helpful when I went through a super nauseous stage when food was NOT my friend) and ease the stretching skin, especially now in my third trimester. Don’t worry that some of these are aimed at mothers — that just shows how nourishing they are! And on that subject, I’ve also been known to use baby products most of my life thanks to the fact they are more likely to be purer, which is of course something we’d all want for our skin no?
Made with plant stem cell and vegetable collagen, this body balm gives your skin a plump, healthy glow. It’s the thickest of the lot and requires a bit of heat from your hands and some muscle to work it in but it’s worth it. The beautiful glass container shouts out to be reused! Store bathroom bits in there once you’re done.
BURT’S BEES MAMA BEE BELLY BUTTER
Burt’s Bees is such a godsend, thanks to its widely available, affordable products made with natural ingredients. This body butter is designed to keep your belly smooth and help it stretch during pregnancy, and is intensely hydrating for pregnant and non-pregnant people alike! It’s formulated with shea butter and vitamin E, and without phthalates, parabens, petrolatum, or SLS.
100 TIMES WASHED GHEE
In Ayurveda, ghee is washed 100 times to make a beauty product that is light as a feather, like a super luxurious cloudlike balm. This makes it more absorbable — it reaches the seven layers of the skin for deep moisture. Really, anything you put onto your skin should be something you are willing to eat. I got mine from my Ayurvedic practitioner Dr. Seema Datta — for those in the US I’ve found some here. Otherwise you can always make it yourself, but do note 100 times washed means it’s a labour of love! I haven’t tried it yet but I shall definitely be shouting about it when I do!
ILA BODY BALM FOR FEEDING SKIN & SENSES
Ila is another favourite brand of mine. This balm is deeply nourishing for anybody’s winter skin thanks to its omega 3, 6 and 9 essential fatty acids. The rose geranium scent is gorgeous and feels like a real treat. It leaves my skin so soft and my mind so calm!
Give your skin the gift of organic oils, shea butter and beeswax. You can use this balm year-round, but it’s especially great at times when you really need that extra boost of moisture. It’s perfect for those chronically dry areas like your elbows or heels, too.
GARNIER ORGANIC ARGAN MULTI USE RESCUE BALM
This has been my portable stash, small and easy to use. Initially great for my hands, elbows, knees etc, as an express treatment, I’ve been discreetly rubbing it into my belly — especially when it’s been itching!! — and anyway, I can’t see my knees anymore…
TATA HARPER REDEFINING BODY BALM
This balm gives your dry skin a firmer, fuller look and feel. Made with 27 botanical ingredients, it’s great for changing bodies and for that suffering winter skin. This one costs more than the others on this list, but is well worth the investment and smells totally luxurious.