With fall definitely in full swing and winter right around the corner (who else got stuck in the snow this past weekend?!), you may start to see changes in your body. In colder months, we tend to be more dehydrated and that dries out our skin, hair, hands and scalp.  That’s because we are less likely to drink water on a regular basis during the winter like we do in the sweltering summer months. When our bodies aren’t hot, we forget that we need to be drinking water all throughout the day.

Not to mention, thirst is such a tricky sensation to measure and understand. Most of the time when you first notice you are parched, you are actually already dehydrated. And even more often, when you feel hungry, your body is signaling you that, in fact, you’re thirsty. Drinking water regularly throughout your day is a great way to stay hydrated and you will see a difference in the moisture levels of your skin, hands, hair and scalp. But for some of us, drinking water isn’t enough and we need some extra help from at home remedies with nourishing ingredients like honey, olive oil, vinegar and rosemary.  Here are four, all natural, do-it-yourself, at-home treatments that you can make to help sooth these issues during the winter months:

Dry Skin: Honey and Vinegar Toner

Fill a spray bottle and spritz or dab toner on face with a cotton ball before applying moisturizer to lock in moisture and use less product. Then spritz a fine mist over your finished face to set your make-up, making it last longer. Apply toner throughout the day to refresh dry skin with a quick pick-me-up.

Ingredients

• 3 Tablespoons honey
• ½ Cup apple cider vinegar

Instructions

1. Mix honey and apple cider vinegar in a mixing bowl
2. Stir until completely dissolved
3. Store, covered in plastic wrap in refrigerator 3 days, stirring daily
4. Apply to face and neck with cotton ball or with a spray bottle

Brittle Hair: Hot Oil Hair Treatment

Use this intensive treatment twice a month to rehydrate dry hair and prevent dandruff.

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup dried rosemary leaves
• 1/2 cup olive oil

Instructions

1. Combine oil and rosemary in a small saucepan over stove-top low heat
2. Stir constantly and bring to a low simmer
3. Remove from heat and strain, to remove leaves from oil
4. Coat scalp and ends of hair with hot oil
5. Wrap hair in saran wrap and cover with towel to retain heat
6. Leave on 15 minutes
7. Rinse with warm water remove excess oil

Cracked Hands: Olive Oil and Almond Gloves

For best results, wear gloves overnight or for at least 15 minutes every other day. For added soothing, microwave oil mixture in a small bowl for 30 seconds then pour in gloves. Recipe and image via.

Ingredients:

• 2 Tablespoons olive oil
• 2 Teaspoons of almond extract
• 2 rubber gloves
• 2 rubber bands or hair-ties

Instructions:

1. Holding one rubber glove upside down, distribute 1-2 tablespoons of olive oil and 1 teaspoon of almond extract into each finger of the glove
2. Put glove on and secure around wrist with rubber band/hair-tie
3. Repeat with other glove and secure on opposite hand

Flaky Scalp: Herbal Shampoo for Dandruff Relief

Use once, every other week to sooth dry, itchy scalp. For first-timers, try this shampoo on a day that you wont have to style your hair right away. This allows the rements of the treament to stay on the scalp as long as possible without being disrupted by a blow dryer or styling products.

Ingredients

• 2 Tablespoons fresh rosemary
• 2 Tablespoons fresh thyme
• 2 Tablespoons coconut flakes
• 2 Tablespoons apple cider vinegar
• 1 Cup water
• 2 Tablespoons of liquid Castile soap (vegetable-based soap available at drug/grocery stores)
• 1 Teaspoon light vegetable oil

Instructions

1. Bring water to a boil
2. Steep herbs and coconut flakes in boiling water for 20 minutes
3. Let cool to room temperature and strain solids from water
4. Add other ingredients and mix until well combined
5. Store in an airtight container at room temperature
6. Apply amply to wet hair and massage into scalp
7. Rinse well with cool water

Recipes/images via