Day: August 24, 2012

Dry skin can be a challenge both to care for and to live with. Your skin may become flaky at times or even become red and irritated. Dozens of over-the-counter products promise to relieve the itchiness and flakiness once and for all, but often these (usually) high-priced products fail to live up to their promises.

There is no need for you to suffer from dry skin, and no need to spend a lot on creams that over-promise and under-deliver. A few simple changes to your skin care routine and lifestyle can make all the difference. Try these methods for a few weeks, and you should soon see more vibrant and healthy skin.

Dry skin is the result of a lack of sebum or oil production in your skin. Sebum is made within the skin cells and is vital to having healthy, elastic skin. Since dry skin does not make enough oil, you will need to replace it both from the inside and outside.

The first thing to do is look at how you cleanse your face. Some women use a lot of harsh astringents. Others use soap and water. A natural cleanser like pure Castile soap will have few chemicals, perfumes or other irritants, and the liquid soap will have none of the chemicals required to make it solidify into bar soap.

Wash your face gently with warm, not hot water each morning and night and pat dry. Avoid rubbing too hard to prevent redness and flaking.

Next, find a daily moisturizing cream that is rich but not overly heavy. The heavy ones can clog pores and lead to other issues. Since dry skin is often irritated by the weather, especially cold weather, and allergens, such as during spring and fall, light-weight moisturizing creams that include soothing ingredients like chamomile and aloe vera are excellent for handling dryness and redness at the same time. Your daily moisturizer will usually have SPF in it these days to protect you from the sun, which can also help prevent your skin from drying out.

Some women like to use a heavier night cream. If you can find one that works well and is not too expensive, and does not have too many chemicals or leaves you looking like you are covered in yogurt, then by all means use it. Otherwise, just use your regular daily moisturizer.

Now you should consider your diet, and how it contributes to the health of your skin, which is the largest organ of your body. It needs to be nourished just like every other organ. You need to stay hydrated to keep your skin moist and supple, so 8 eight-ounce glasses of fresh water a day will help.

The best supplements for your skin include Omega-3 oils, which contain vital components for smooth skin, and can be found in fatty fish like salmon and mackerel. Vitamin E, and a B complex vitamin can also help. You can find vitamin E in various cooking oils and peanuts. B vitamins are most commonly found in whole grain products like cereals.

Providing your skin with the proper nourishment is one of the best ways to improve your dry skin, so aim for healthy fats and a natural diet low in processed foods. Eat plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables, and if you do opt for animal products, choose lean proteins like fish and turkey.

Nourishing dry skin both inside and out is the best approach to healing it and looking great without spending a fortune on creams, lotions and potions. When your skin has the necessary nutrients, it can start to produce more of the oil it needs to stay smooth and supple. It can also repair itself with more protein and look less dry if you avoid junk food like cake and cookies, which can be very drying for the skin.

Your daily skin care routine will keep your skin clean and help it retain moisture without irritating your skin, or clogging pores. You will not only look great, you will feel better too, and your nicer-looking skin will give you a great boost in self-confidence.

FURTHER READING:

How to Get Started Making Natural Homemade Beauty Products

Top Tips for Healthy Skin All Year Round