Make oil your best friend this dry season

From the old times, oil has been a very effective remedy for skin problems. Be it your skin or hair, oil is being used in beauty care for ages. While we can hear stories of Queen Cleopatra using olive oil with milk during her skincare, we can also find evidence of rose oil being used in the bathwater of Mughal Queens. Massaging oil in hair has been like a custom passed along in generations. Oil not only moisturises your skin but also effective in delaying ageing. But, the facial skin and the skin of your scalp are not similar and hence the oil remedies differ with distinct complications.

Why is oil massage necessary?

To understand the necessity, first, it is important to know the mechanism of the effectiveness of oil in your skin. When the oil is applied over any skin, it enters your hair follicles and nourishes the skin. Forming a waxy layer coating the skin, preserves the skin moisture and also protects the skin from any atmospheric externality. As a result, the skin does not crack and tension is reduced overall delaying wrinkles. Oil can be vegetable oil(olive, almond etc) or essential oil(patchouli, sandalwood etc), both have several benedictions. Thus, both oil is of equal necessity in beauty care. 

No 'one and only' oil from every skin type

If you have oily skin, don't use much oil, especially on your face. For such, try using one drop of essential oil with aloe vera gel. Tea tree and jojoba oil provide more benefit for facial skin, mostly for sensitive skin types. People with dry skin can use olive oil, alone or mixing with a drop of sandalwood oil. If your skin tends to crack during the winter months, massaging oil over moist skin will be beneficial. 

Body massage oils

Winter makes your skin dry and demands more nourishment and none but oil proves to be the best remedy. Oil massage also increases blood circulation while moisturises skin, keeping the body warm. Body massage oils mainly include vegetable oils. But every season asks for a change in the type of oil to be used. Coconut and olive oil is best for summer; likewise, mustard oil and almond oil is a better choice for winter. Choose a vegetable oil as a base, add a few drops of scented oil and make your own body massage oil at home. You can also add Neroli or Ylang Ylang oil to reduce work stress. For delaying age wrinkles, aromatherapist Blossom Kocher suggests using 1 tablespoon almond oil, ¼ th teaspoon castor oil and 1/4th teaspoon patchouli oil; mix them and apply on your skin. This mixture provides nourishment, moisture and reduces stress, rejuvenating the skin and making it glow. 

Hair oils 

It is advised by experts to massage oil in scalps throughout the year. Dry hair requires such for at least 2 days a week, whereas one 1day would be sufficient for normal hairs. But hot oil massage is more beneficial. Put a hot towel over your head after an oil massage and keep for 5 - 10 minutes and then remove. Repeat the process a few more times. This would allow the oil to reach down the roots and nourish your hair more effectively. Hence, if you are not a person who cares about beauty, or if you are not into oils, then I would suggest you try this winter. I bet, your skin will glow and your hair will regain its original shine.