3 tips for more radiant skin in winter

The Israeli winter creates a double challenge for the skin: on the one hand the cold that constricts the blood vessels, and on the other hand the dryness of the air conditioners that produces microscopic cracks in the protective layer. The result is a “dull” and lifeless skin appearance.

Eleanor Lahagne, paramedical beautician and director of the Eleanor Or Cosmetics clinic, gives three tips that you probably didn’t know – but can definitely make you glow in the cold season.

Massage for drainage and opening the gaze

The eyes are the first place that betrays fatigue in winter due to slow blood flow. The tip: Don’t just apply eye cream. Adopt the manual lymphatic drainage technique: use the pads of the ring finger and make light and quick “typing movements” from the inner corner of the eye outwards. Then, apply gentle pressure on the drainage point near the temples. For an immediate “boost”: place a cold metal spoon on the eyelids for 30 seconds to reduce swelling. The cold and the massage create a positive “market” to the blood vessels that gives a taut appearance.

Compress cucumber peels

Many know the trick of placing cucumber circles on the eyes, but the real secret actually lies in the peel. Cucumber peel contains high concentrations of silica, caffeic acid and vitamin K which are responsible for strengthening collagen fibers and reducing puffiness. The tip: After peeling a fresh cucumber (preferably organic), place the skins with the inner, moist, dark green side facing the skin. Stick them on the cheek area and under the eyes for 10 minutes. The living enzymes in the peel act as a very gentle “biological peeling” that dissolves dead cells without irritation, while the minerals are absorbed inside and restore the “saturated” and essential appearance to the skin that disappeared due to the home heating.

The lemon and oil ritual: a solution for “cracked skin” on the neck and palms

Cracked skin is skin that has lost its normal pH (moisture level) index and the fatty acids that protect it. The tip: Make a “biological dressing” at home: mix a tablespoon of high-quality olive oil (rich in antioxidants) with only 3 drops of fresh lemon juice. The acidity of the lemon acts as a kind of conductor which helps the oil to penetrate the hard keratin layer of the cracked skin. Massage the mixture on the neck or palms before going to bed. The lemon brightens and smoothes a blocked texture, and the oil restores the skin barrier. In the morning the skin will look velvety, uniform and saturated with moisture.