Citrus fruits provide an abundance of benefits to your body and general wellbeing, and can help nourish the appearance of your skin and hair. In fact, oranges and lemons have been proven to help cure acne and dermatitis, relax muscles, alleviate anxiety and provide relief from inflammation. 

When winter hits its coolest and harshest moments, it’s only natural that our immune systems may become a little low, whether it’s from cold rain, biting wind or from producing a cold sweat from brisk walks while wearing thick layers of clothing. For these reasons, it’s understandable that we may develop a cold. However, there are small things you can do to help keep that bug far away, by drinking citrus infused teas like lemon and ginger, freshly squeezed orange juice, eating delicious fruits and vegetables packed with vitamin C and generally maintaining a healthy diet.

Citrus fruits are an amazing source of vitamin C, folate and potassium. And not only does vitamin C help in reducing the length and severity of the common cold’s symptoms, it also plays a key role in the formation of collagen – your body’s natural way of strengthening skin and hair and various connective tissue in the body. When your skin is constantly exposed to dry heat from indoor heaters and as our faces are often bare to icy winds when outdoors, it’s important to take extra care of our skin during winter.

To help you look after and maintain your skin’s radiance, below is a simple DIY facial toner which is sure to offer benefits to your skin. We’ve also included a lemon DIY scalp treatment to help promote hair growth.

Although you may need to shop around for some of the ingredients in this facial toner, it will definitely be worth your while. The four all-natural ingredients will be sure to make a noticeable difference to your skin as it removes final traces of makeup and helps close your freshly cleansed pores.

1. In a 30 ml spritzer bottle, pour 22 ml of orange blossom water, 6 ml mineral water, 1/8 tsp vegetable glycerin and 5 drops of quality orange essential oil. Shake well.
2. Before every use of your orange blossom toner, shake well and spray onto a reusable cotton pad, then lightly apply it across your face and neck.
3. Let the toner dry and then finish up by applying your favourite moisturising cream. Depending on whether you like to tone your skin in the evening or morning, we recommend using either the N.A.E. moisturizing night cream or the anti-age day cream as a final step.
   

When you apply lemon juice directly to your hair, not only will its natural acidity unclog hair follicles, it will also stimulate dormant ones. As for the olive oil and castor oil, their richness will help moisturise your scalp, balance the acidity of the lemon juice and also boost blood circulation to the scalp – further aiding hair growth.

1. In a small bowl, mix the juice of one lemon, 1 tbsp of olive oil and 1 tbsp castor oil and then slightly heat in a microwave.
2. Massage the mixture into your scalp for a good three minutes and leave for about 30-45 minutes.
3. Wash your hair and allow it to air dry for best results.
   

Last, not only are citrus fruits delicious, they have a wonderful fragrance that will envelop all your senses. Try the N.A.E Vitalità range and feel like you’re wandering through a citrus garden on a warm summer’s day.