While there are a ton of state-of-the-art, anti-aging skin care products and treatments on the market, looking younger begins from the inside out. You really are what you eat. Your food should not only satiate your every taste bud and be your fuel, but you should also think of your food as part of your skin care routine. Working anti-aging vitamins into your breakfast, lunch and dinner will help yield more radiant, youthful skin.
But how do you do that? There are a ton of diets out there for this, that and the other, offering false promises, so it’s difficult to know which ones to trust and which ones are bogus. So … we called on expert nutritionist, Joy Bauer to give us some skin care tips. She is the nutrition/health expert for “The Today Show” and she advises everyone from the New York City Ballet ballerinas to famous actors and Olympic athletes. Here she shares what the top age-fighting vitamins are, and explains which foods contain these vitamins and how much of these foods you need to eat to get optimum benefits. You might be surprised to find out that some of your favorite foods are already packing a big anti-aging punch, but if not, her advice might inspire you to incorporate a few new foods into your next meal. In fact, she shares a recipe called “Joy’s Beauty Blend.” It’s a tasty smoothie that provides a blast of many of the complexion-friendly nutrients that you’ll read about in this story. See anti-aging vitamins now.
Some vitamins – in pill form – have been shown to have antioxidant qualities. Several skin care companies have incorporated these vitamins into their product lines in hope of slowing the aging process – or at least the appearance of it.
Buyer beware: The FDA doesn’t regulate supplements in skin care products, and dermatologists are only beginning to study the effects of vitamins applied topically. While antioxidants applied to the skin seem like they should reduce free radicals, we’re a long way from knowing for sure.
With that caveat in mind, here are 5 of the most frequently used vitamins for healthy skin.
Vitamin E
“The Body Shop: Vitamin E Facial Oil”Image provided by The Body Shop
Using Vitamin E in skin care is thought to have multiple benefits to your skin. It is a potent antioxidant that is thought to fight off free radicals that cause the signs of aging. Some examples of free radicals are smoke, pollutants and excess sun.
Vitamin E is also a great moisturizing ingredient that is found naturally in our bodies. It is found in many skin care lines, which makes it easy to find, but it is also available as a supplement at any drugstore. It’s easy to poke a hole in the capsule and squeeze out the Vitamin E gel and apply right to your skin.
The Body Shop has an entire line of Vitamin E skin care products. Pictured here is their Vitamin E Facial Oil.
Recipe to Make Your Own Essential Oil
Essential oils are the oils obtained from plants by various methods, such as distillation. They are called essential oils because it carries a distinctive scent, or essence, of the plant. The use of essential oils has a history dating back at least a thousand years and has been used for medicinal uses, skin care and aromatherapy.
If you are fortunate enough to have an herb and/or flower garden, or have access to fresh cut herbs and flowers, you can make your own essential oils quite easily. Sweet almond oil with Vitamin E will be the base of all your essential oils. Vitamin E will act as a natural preservative. You essential oils will last 6 to 12 months if kept in a dark, dry, and cool place. Remember to sterilize your containers and start with clean utensils.
Ingredients: Day 1, Repeat for days 2 through 4
1/2 Cup Sweet Almond Oil
couple of drops of vitamin E
1 Cup packed fresh herbs OR 1/4 cup chopped fruit peel, such as orange, grapefruit, lime, lemon, etc. or 1cup freshly cut flowers. Rinse herbs, fruit or flower petals thoroughly.
Day 1
Every day for four days place 1 cup of flowers or 1/4 cup herbs or chopped fruit peel in the plastic bag.
Close the bag securely and lightly tap the materials in the bag. Do not beat them to a pulp, as this is a gentle process.
Add the sweet almond oil and the flowers, herbs or citrus peel into one wide mouth glass jar. Close and shake gently to distribute the almond oil thoroughly. Place bottle in warm place.
Day 2:
Transfer the materials in the jar into a cheesecloth or gauze and strain the oil into the second glass jar. Squeeze as much as possible to extract all the oils. Discard material.
Day 3, Repeat Day 1
Day 4, Repeat Day 2
On the 4th day, when all oils have been extracted into jar strain the oil one last time. Pour into pretty bottle
Below are some fun recipes.
Scented Rocks (A Nice Alternative to Potpourri)
1/2 cup plain flour
1/2 cup salt
1/4 tsp. essential oil in your favorite scent
2/3 cups boiling water
Food coloring, if desired
In bowl, mix dry ingredients well. Add essential oil and boiling water to dry ingredients. (Scent will be strong, but will fade slightly when dry.) For colored stones, blend in food coloring, one drop at a time, until desired shade is reached. Blend ingredients and form balls. Allow stones to dry. Place rocks in a bowl or dish to scent a room.
Oriental Nights Perfume
4 drops sandalwood
4 drops musk
3 drops frankincense
2 tsp. jojoba oil
Mix all the ingredients together and shake well. Allow perfume to settle for at least 12 hours. Store in a cool dry place.
LUSCIOUS BODY POLISHER
2 C. plain yogurt
1 T. wheat germ
1 T. honey
1 T. almond oil
Omit almond oil if skin is acne-prone.
Mix all ingredients. Dampen skin in shower and massage mixture all over. Rinse with warm water. Rinse immediately with cold water to boost circulation.
Lemony Lavender Toner
3 drops lemon oil
3 drops lavender oil
3 teaspoons of distilled water
Use a soft cotton ball to massage mixture into the skin after cleansing. Follow with a moisturizer if desired
Natural sun screen
A good sunscreen should protect the skin against UVA and UVB rays from the sun and at the same time should help the skin maintain its natural oils and moisture. The natural sunscreen or sun cream can soothe, nourish and protect the skin from sun’s rays. On the other hand, many chemical sunscreens clog the pores.
The natural and organic ingredients that may be used in a natural sunscreen recipe are sesame oil, coconut oil, olive oil, avocado oil, Emu oil, natural-sunscreen.Aloe vera shea butter, etc. as they actually can absorb much of the sun’s rays. But the information on the extent of UVA and UVB absorption ability of these ingredients is scanty. It is reported that sesame oil can reduce about 30%, coconut and olive oils about 20% and Aloe Vera about 20% of the sun’s rays.
Natural Sunscreen Recipe The natural sunscreen recipes given on this page have not been evaluated for their effectiveness by any scientific or a medical body or by It is suggested that natural sunscreen has only a low SPF so they should not be used alone.
Ingredients:
1.
Sesame oil, unrefined, 1 Tbsp Canola Oil, 1 Tbsp Coconut oil, 1 Tbsp Avocado oil, 1 Tbsp
Walnut or almond oil, 1 Tbsp Shea butter, 1 Tbsp Cocoa butter, 2 Tbsp Beeswax, 1 tsp Borax powder, 1/2 Tbsp Aloe vera gel, 2 Tbsp Rose water or lavender water, 1 Tbsp
Preparation
Mix all the ingredients except the rose water, borax powder and aloe vera in a double boiler over medium heat until just melted. Remove from the heat In a pan mix the remaining ingredients and warm until borax is dissolved. Remove from heat.Mix the above two and whisk together to a desired creamy consistency.Store in an airtight jar and refrigerate. Keeps well for 3-4 weeks.
You can make a sunscreen at home using natural ingredients.
Ingredients
Green tea has been shown to protect against skin cancer. Boil some tea leaves in water and cool it. Wash your face with this water. It works as a natural sunscreen, according to beautician Blossom Kochhar. She recommends it to be worn above moisturizer and below makeup.
Skin needs special Care our skin have three kind:
1:Normal skin
2:Oily skin
3:Dry skin
Normal skin:
Lucky persons have normal skin. It is the best kind of skin but keep clean it.
Oily Skin:
The Good, The Bad & The Oily
Anyone struggling with greasy, shiny, oily skin might argue that the mere existence of sebum (the medical term for skin oils) is a curse. Yet Mother Nature intended for it to serve a beneficial purpose.
The source of all the trouble is the microscopic sebaceous gland, safely hidden beneath the surface of the skin. Sebaceous glands are part of the pilosebaceous unit (hair + oil gland duo). These glands (envision partially inflated balloons) lie deep within the dermis. They connect with the hair shaft and empty their contents onto the surface of the skin through the pores. All skin surfaces, with the exception of the palms and soles, possess sebaceous glands. The area with the most oil-producing ability is the one most crowded with sebaceous glands – it’s the notorious T-zone (forehead, nose and chin).
Sebaceous glands produce sebum, a complex blend of varied lipids (an assortment of fats), and dead sebaceous gland cells, (the cells that manufacture the sebum). Fats found in sebum include triglycerides, wax monoesters, squalane and free fatty acids.
The Good
Under normal circumstances, these glands should play a normal role in lubricating the skin and hair, protecting them from environmental challenges like dehydration and maintaining health and luster.
The term acid mantle refers to the protective, acidic environment created by the milieu of sebum, surface cellular debris and sweat bathing the outer layers of the skin (epidermis) and hair. The pH of the acid mantle ranges between 4.5 5.5. The acid mantle forces epidermal and hair cuticle cells to lie flatly in a tight array much like shingles on a roof. Without it, cells can pull apart, leading to dehydration, irritation and sensitivity. Hair can become brittle, dull and prone to breakage. The loss of an acidic environment can also lead to the invasion of bacteria into the skin.
Adequate amounts of sebum are very important in maintaining the protective acid mantle. Conquering oily skin is therefore a challenge. One wants to create a non-greasy, mattified appearance yet avoid over-stripping protective surface oils.
The Bad
Anyone who suffers from oily skin knows when too much sebum is produced, it’s a real problem. Oily skin has a terribly negative effect on self-esteem as well as body image. Greasiness and shine often outweigh acne concerns. Oily skin is both uncomfortable and cosmetically unacceptable.
Sebaceous glands working overtime is the cause of excessively oily skin. Too much sebum produces surface oiliness, blocks pores, provides nourishment to bacteria that live upon the skin (P. acnes) and contributes to acne flare-ups.
The Oily
The true cause of oily skin lies in one’s genetic makeup – an excess of a hormone called dihydrotestosterone (DHT). Too much of a good thing, this metabolite of testosterone, DHT is responsible for triggering sebaceous glands to produce sebum. Higher than normal levels of this androgenic hormone, or an increased sensitivity of the glands to normal levels of DHT can result in a virtual oil slick.
DHT first appears at puberty in both girls and boys. The menstrual cycle affects DHT levels, paralleling the rise of progesterone (post ovulation). Ever speculate why your skin becomes oilier and acne-prone just before menstruation? Blame rising levels of progesterone (and ultimately DHT).
Perhaps you have been praying your oil-laden T-zone would suddenly vanish overnight and be replaced with a healthy, radiant complexion. The goal is realistic even if the timing is not. However, eliminating extreme oiliness must be done with care. It’s vital not to give in to skin-traumatizing temptation.
HOW TO CONTROL OILY SKIN
Topical Mattifying Products
Oil reducing skin care has tended to fall into 3 general categories. Those heavy in fragrance (a major dermatologic no-no), those that are fragrance free but have a strong chemical odor and those which have a pore-smothering, acne-inducing, silicone base. DERMAdoctor Tease Zone Oil Control Gel, however, is a lightweight water-based gel that literally disappears upon application without leaving any residual scent, odor or tackiness.
Tease Zone relies upon polymer technology to absorb and lift away excessive surface skin oils. Oil already present upon the skin or deep within the glands is soaked up and continues to be absorbed as it’s formed throughout the day, leaving skin mattified and foundation intact. It eliminates excess surface skin oils which in turn deprives acne-causing Proprionibacterium acnes of nourishment, important factors for reducing acne formation.
The nice thing about this polymer technology is that it’s inert. In other words, it won’t over-dry skin so it can be applied all over the face without fear of it drying out non-oily areas (such as for anyone prone to combination skin). DERMAdoctor Tease Zone Oil Control Gel can be used simultaneously with other acne products, including topical antibiotics, as well as other oil removers such as glycolic acids, topical retinoids, and make-up.
Because it is dye and fragrance free and has been both dermatologist and allergy tested, those prone to sensitive skin issues, rosacea, seborrheic dermatitis or perioral dermatitis can also benefit from using Tease Zone. It is safe to use while pregnant or nursing.
Synthetic Topical Retinoids
This category includes prescription Retin A, Retin A Micro Gel, Differin, Tazorac and Avita as well as OTC retinols such as Afirm or DERMAdoctor Poetry In Lotion intensive retinol 1.0. Topical synthetic topical retinoid use unquestionably makes a significant improvement for oily skin concerns. However, a sizeable minority of patients still develop redness, flaking and irritation despite appropriate use. For my acne or oil-plagued patients, I always encourage treatments in this category be used sparingly – no more than every other night, at least to start.
Following a gentle “routine” skin care regimen (rather than using multiple oil-reducing options) may help stabilize the situation. Consider cleansing with DERMAdoctor Born To Be Mild Medicated Face & Body Cleanser or MD Formulations Facial Cleanser Sensitive Skin Formula, particularly when using aggressive oil reducing products during cold weather when skin dehydration is more likely. Try moisturizing with Dr. Dennis Gross Hydra-Pure Oil-Free Moisture or Cellex-C Clear Complexion Seboregulator.
Glycolic Acid
Glycolic acid, a popular form of alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) can lift away excessive facial oils and I do try to have my acne or oily skin patients incorporate them in to their skin care regimen. Remember, that glycolic acids, while they do help to exfoliate the skin, play more of a role of temporary oil reducer, and help cut through the surface oils and clean out the pores. They are not actually fixing what is happening within the gland. Cleanse with DERMAdoctor Ain’t Misbehavin’ Medicated AHA/BHA Acne Cleanser once or twice a day. It contains glycolic acid along with salicylic acid, and polymers to soak up surface skin oils. Follow with DERMAdoctor Picture Porefect Pore Minimizing Solution or EI Solutions Bio Sebum Control Serum to treat and/or hydrate the skin. Additionally, the application of glycolic acid to the skin helps to allow acne medications or other skin treatment ingredients to penetrate deeper in to the skin and be more effective.
I DO NOT recommend the application of glycolic acid at the same time as benzoyl peroxide or vitamin A/retinoid containing products. You risk an increase in irritation from doing this. Use them at separate times of the day. The use of a glycolic acid cleanser, however, would certainly be appropriate.
There are certainly individuals in whom glycolic acid still causes too much irritation or exfoliation. Sometimes this can be remedied by switching to a less drying base such as the MD Formulations Continuous Renewal Serum Sensitive Skin Formula or MD Formulations Continuous Renewal Serum. Same levels of glycolic acid in a gentler base. Occasionally less concentrated products may be necessary, in which case DERMAdoctor Wrinkle Revenge Antioxidant Enhanced Glycolic Acid Facial Cleanser 1, Peter Thomas Roth Glycolic Acid 3% Facial Wash and Neova Skin Revealing Treatment may be considered.
Salicylic Acid
Salicylic acid, or as it’s more trendily known “Beta Hydroxy Acid” functions in a similar manner as the glycolic acids. However, the FDA has approved it as an OTC drug for an acne indication, making it a commonly included agent in acne cleansers. Salicylic acid helps in the exfoliation process, and helps remove oils present on the skin. However, it does not treat the underlying condition. Salicylic acid may cause dryness or irritation in some people if over used. It can be found in concentrations up to 2%. Many times it’s mixed with glycolic acid (hence the term AHA/BHA may be seen). Consider trying cleansers like DERMAdoctor Ain’t Misbehavin’ Medicated AHA/BHA Acne Cleanser, Peter Thomas Roth Beta Hydroxy Acid 2% Acne Wash or Murad AHA/BHA Exfoliating Cleanser to cut through facial oils.
Astringents & Toners
Astringent agents including Alcohol, Witch Hazel, and Acetone may cut through oils, but this is strictly a function of temporary removal and do not tend to have long lasting results throughout the day. Still, interest in their use as a step in daily grooming remains high. Peter Thomas Roth Conditioning Tonic contains both benzoic acid and BHA (beta hydroxy acid) to help strip away grease and grime and kill bacteria. Neova Balancing Toner contains silica beads which absorb 10 times their weight in oils, leaving skin refreshed. Cellex-C BetaPlex Fresh Complexion Mist contains moderate levels of AHA and BHA to gently remove oils and surface debris. Astringents in general may be prone to causing redness, dryness or irritation, so overuse should be avoided.. Otherwise, astringents while helpful for those with normal skin types, they do not lend themselves to a complete approach on their own merits.
Masques
Masques may effectively reduce the feeling of oiliness on the skin for several days. I recall being in college and wearing a clay masque every few evenings. Not really an attractive approach, but it helped at the time. DERMAdoctor Ain’t Misbehavin’ Intensive Skin-Correcting Sulfur Acne Mask with Phytosphingosine is a product I really like to use. It contains therapeutic additives to deal with some of the acne causing issues as well. Another oil-reducing masque is MD Formulations Vit-A-Plus Clearing Complex Masque. This masque can help exfoliate materials lodged deep within the glands as well as reduce the presence of oils.
Oil Blotting Papers
Blotting papers blot. It’s that simple. There are a variety of oil blotting papers on the market. While some people erroneously think that they may aggravate oily skin conditions (untrue), again, they are simply reducing the shine that may develop on the skin throughout the day. The use of agents to help reduce oil production in the first place will provide a broader fix of the problem. Having blotting papers like Tweezerman Facial Blotting Paper on hand are a life saver for the very oily.
Sunscreen
In addition to following an oil-busting skin care routine as mentioned above, what to do about sunscreen? When answering scads of consumer email, inevitably the biggest resistance from those with oily or blemish prone skin is about sunscreen. Too greasy, too sticky, blocks my pores…the list of reasons to avoid its use is endless. Consider trying Cellex-C SunShade SPF 30+ or DERMAdoctor Ain’t Misbehavin’ Skin Clarifying & Mattifying Sunscreen SPF 30 PA+++, the first sunscreen created with polymers to soak up unwanted excessive surface skin oils without causing parching or dryness. Your mattified skin won’t know what hit it. Appropriate for layering with other anti-oil agents if desired.
Accutane
I personally do not feel that oily skin alone justifies the use of Accutane. Accutane is a great medication for the treatment of severe cystic acne, but has significant side effects associated with its use. The FDA does not indicate the use of Accutane for the control of oily skin. While I do hear from clients that they wish they could take this medication solely for controlling excess sebum production, it’s just not a medically indicated use. A topical version of isotretinoin (the generic name for Accutane) has been tried in Canada and Europe for acne treatment but is unavailable in the U.S. I’ve only had the opportunity to see one patient who has relocated and was using this product. The skin was very parched (over-stripped of oils) and there was little change in the acne.
Systemic Interference With DHT
Less available DHT means less stimulation of the sebaceous gland and ultimately less oil production. Medications currently exist that block the ability of the hormone 5-alpha reductase to convert testosterone into its gland-triggering form, DHT. Currently none of them are prescribed with an FDA approved use to treat oily skin. However, in rare instances, an off-label use may be considered by a dermatologist.
Birth control pills (those that are more estrogen dominant), hair loss medications for men (such as Propecia which cannot be taken by women of child-bearing age/ability ), Spironolactone (a diuretic often given to treat acne, off-label, because of its antiandrogenic effects), and the antiandrogenic cyproterone acetate (not available in the U.S.). The most likely treatments your physician might prescribe would be a the oral contraceptive Ortho Tri-Cyclen or the water pill Spironolactone, both of which are currently used in acne treatment (with the side benefit of oil-reduction).
COMMON MISCONCEPTIONS
• Using oil control products will lead to an increase in sebum production.
This is absolutely false.
• Blotting facial oils helps to reduce the production of sebum.
False. While blotting can provide a temporary method of removing the oil, just like topical oil control products, they have no affect on the production of sebum.
• Oily skin is not a concern for those with rosacea.
Again, false. While rosacea sufferers are more likely to have drier, more sensitive skin due to the natural aging process, I have seen more than my share of significantly oily skinned rosacea patients. DERMAdoctor Calm Cool & Corrected Anti-Redness Tranquility Cream contains NDGA, an ideal botanical for this concern. Combined with sebum sequestering micro-particles, excessive oils are absorbed, yet the product is formulated in a base appropriate for the rosacea patient prone to skin sensitivity. An ideal regimen combines it along with DERMAdoctor Born To Be Mild Medicated Face & Body Cleanser.
• Accutane fully eliminates (“cures”) oil production.
False. While Accutane does normalize the faulty mechanism related to the formation of cells lining the sebaceous glands, which in turn stops cystic acne, sebum production is not entirely eliminated. After treatment, the skin may either remain non-greasy or experience a return of oiliness post treatment.
• You can’t wear make-up while using oil control products.
False. Make-up should be labeled oil-free or “non-comedogenic” and is appropriate for use by those with oily skin. It may also be applied on top of products that help control acne or oily skin conditions. For those more affected by excess oils, despite the use of some oil control products, the use of a powder base may help. Rice powders like those used in T. LeClerc feel light, don’t plug pores and help absorb excess oils.
• Oil control products cause unpleasant dryness and irritation.
While many products which reduce levels of facial skin oils may cause these problems, this is absolutely not true across the board. And product misuse or overuse can also be responsible for skin irritation, not just the product formulation.
Now you know all about how to improve your oily skin condition. There is a wide range of options for you to take advantage of. Remember that when all else fails, your dermatologist is the perfect resource for prescription intervention.
Thank you for taking the time to read my newsletter. I hope you have found it to be informative.
Audrey Kunin, M.D.
(Any topic discussed in this article is not intended as medical advice. If you have a medical concern, please check with your doctor
Dry Skin:
Dry Skin
Causes
How To Care for Dry Skin
Herbs for Dry Skin
Diet Recommendations for Dry Skin
Essential Oils For Dry Skin
Common Sense Recommendations
Dry skin has a low level of sebum and can be prone to sensitivity. The skin has a parched look caused by its inability to retain moisture. It usually feels “tight” and uncomfortable after washing unless some type of moisturizer or skin cream is applied. Chapping and cracking are signs of extremely dry, dehydrated skin.
Dryness is exacerbated by wind, extremes of temperature and air-conditioning, all of which cause the skin to flake, chap and feel tight. This type of skin is tightly drawn over bones. It looks dull, especially on the cheeks and around the eyes. There may be tiny expression lines on these spots and at the comers of the mouth.
Causes
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The oil glands do not supply enough lubrication to the skin. As a result, the skin becomes dehydrated.
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Skin gets exposed to the elements especially in winter.
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Dry skin could be due to a genetic condition.
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Poor diet. Nutritional deficiencies, especially deficiencies of vitamin A and the B vitamins, can also contribute to dry skin.
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Environmental factors such as exposure to sun, wind, cold, chemicals, or cosmetics, or excessive bathing with harsh soaps.
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Conditions such as dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis, or seborrhea.
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Dry Skin Could Also Be From:
Dry skin can be a sign of an underactive thyroid.
Serious skin complications can arise for people with diabetes.
Certain drugs, including diuretics, antispasmodics, and antihistamines, can contribute to dry skin.
How To Care for Dry Skin
Avoid the use of tap water when cleansing dry skin. The deposits are too drying on the skin. And never, ever use hot water. Use mineral water to freshen your face. Don’t use a washcloth-a rough texture can irritate. In the morning, apply a spray of mineral water on your skin misted on with a plant sprayer. (Do not use a sprayer that had been used for spraying insecticides.) Lightly pat dry.
Dry skin needs plenty of thorough but gentle cleansing, regular stimulation with massage and generous quantities of oil and moisture. It also needs extra careful protection. Washing dry skin with soap and water not only removes grime but also the natural oils protecting the skin. A moisturizer increases the water content of the outer layers of the skin and gives it a soft, moist look.
Use nondetergent, neutral-pH products to cleanse your skin. Avoid using any commercial soap. And always touch your face gently. Double-cleanse with a cream, leaving a light, thin trace of it on the skin after the second cleansing.
Follow a bath or a shower with a mild application of baby oil. Massage your face with home-made nourishing cream every night before retiring. Be generous with the cream in the areas surrounding the eyes where tiny lines and crows feet are born.
Avoid coming in contact with highly alkaline soaps and detergents like washing sodas and powders which contain highly alkaline and drying ingredients.
Moistening with water, then applying a thin film of air-excluding moisturizer, restores the suppleness of the dry skin.
Morning Skin Cleanser/Rejuvenator
Every morning 15 minutes before taking your bath
1 egg yolk
1 teaspoon orange juice
1 teaspoon olive oil and
few drops of rose water
few drops of lime juice
Mix the above ingredients together and apply on your skin.
Beauty Mask for Dry Skin
1 egg
1 teaspoon of honey,
1/2 teaspoon of olive oil and
few drops of rose water
Mix the ingredients thoroughly and use as a mask.
Night Moisturizing
After you clean and tone your skin, apply a splash of water or a water-misting. Pat almost dry with a soft towel, then smooth moisturizer from bosom to hairline. Allow five minutes for immediate absorption (cover your face and throat with warm washcloths to hasten penetration), then blot off any excess moisturizer with a tissue.
Men can skip the toner but should moisturize the delicate skin around the eye area.
Day Moisturizing
Apply a touch of your natural moisturizer over the freshly cleansed, toned, and dampened skin on your throat, cheeks, and around your eyes. Men should follow a two-step process. Apply moisturizer immediately after shaving. Wait ten minutes. Then moisturize again.
Milk Bath
Once a week take a milk bath. It will nourish and smoothen your skin. Warm your bath water and put in 250 gram of powdered milk, half tablespoon of almond oil and a few drops of your favorite perfume. Then just lie in it and let your mind wander while the wholesome foam works wonders on your dry skin.
If your lips chap, peel or crack then the best remedy is to massage them with a little cream of milk to which a few drops each of rose water and lime juice has been added every night before going to bed. Before applying lipstick, use a soft piece of towel for removing rough bits of chapped skin and rub a piece of raw beetroot gently on them. After applying lipstick add a little vaseline to keep your lips soft and pretty.
Moisturize your skin after cleansing to keep it from drying out. Use a liquid moisturizer or facial oil that contains nutrients and other natural ingredients. Avoid solid, waxy moisturizing creams.
Use a humidifier (or even a pan of water placed near a radiator) to humidify your environment, especially in winter. This helps to reduce the amount of moisture lost from the skin through evaporation.
Stay out of overheated rooms; avoid sudden changes in temperature; protect yourself from wind and sun. Remember, your face is fragile.
If you don’t have a good, strong moisturizer on your face on a cold, windy winter day, don’t go out! Cold will cause any moisture on your skin to evaporate. The wind will just accelerate the process.
At night, use a very creamy cleanser or oil (baby oil is perfectly all right). Remove residue with a spray of mineral water. Follow up with a night cream applied at least a half-hour before retiring. If you lie down immediately after applying cream, it will “puff-up” delicate tissues around the eyes.
Once a week, use a facial mask to clarify the skin and remove dull, dry surface skin cells. Blend together well 1 teaspoon green clay powder and 1 teaspoon raw honey. Apply the mixture to your face, avoiding the eye area. Leave it on for fifteen minutes, then rinse well with lukewarm water. While your skin is still slightly damp, apply a natural skin oil or liquid moisturizer.
If your skin is chapped or cracked, increase your consumption of water and essential fatty acids. Keep any chapped areas well lubricated and protected from the elements.
For cracked, dry skin on the fingers, use calendula cream or oil with comfrey, vitamin E oil, and aloe vera. Apply the mixture to hands at bedtime, then wear plastic gloves overnight.
Do not smoke. Smoking has a harmful effect on the skin for several reasons. Nicotine constricts the blood vessels, including the tiny capillaries that serve the skin. This deprives the skin of the oxygen and nutrients it needs for good health. Smoking also can make the skin dry and leathery.
Do not use harsh soaps, cold cream, or cleansing creams on your skin. Cleansing creams are made from hydrogenated oils, which can cause free radical damage to the skin, resulting in dryness and wrinkles. Instead, use pure olive, avocado, or almond oil to cleanse the skin. Pat the oil on, then wash it off with warm water and a soft cloth.
Do not use very hot water when bathing or showering.
As much as possible, stay out of the sun. The sun is responsible for most of the damage done to the skin. It causes dryness, wrinkles, and even rashes and blisters. Always apply a good sunscreen to all exposed areas of skin if you must be in the sun.
Herbs for Dry Skin
Aloe Vera: Aloe vera is soothing, healing, and moisturizing. It also helps to remove dead skin cells. Apply aloe vera gel topically on affected areas.
Calendula and comfrey have skin-softening properties. They can be used in a facial sauna or to make herbal or floral waters. Comfrey also reduces redness and soothes irritated skin.
Add 5 drops of lavender oil or oat extract to bath water. After the bath, apply diluted evening primrose oil or aloe vera cream.
Drink teas of camomile, dandelion or peppermint.
Borage, fennel, coltsfoot or calendula tea also helps improve the skin. Add 1 tsp. of herbs to 1 cup of boiling water and drink daily.
Tea tree oil has been known to penetrate into the skin’s cellular level. Add 1 drop of oil to your favorite day or night cream to help moisturize and smooth skin.
Herbal Facial Sauna
A weekly facial sauna using the herbs chamomile, lavender, and peppermint is good for dry skin.
Using a glass or enameled pot, simmer a total of 2 to 4 tablespoons of dried or fresh herbs in 2 quarts of water. When the pot is steaming, place it on top of a trivet or thick potholder on a table, and sit with your face at a comfortable distance over the steam for fifteen minutes. You can use a towel to trap the steam if you wish.
After fifteen minutes, splash your face with cold water and allow your skin to air dry or pat it dry with a towel. Then either apply a good natural moisturizer or facial oil, or apply a clay mask.
After the sauna, you can allow the herbal water to cool and save it for use as a toning lotion to be dabbed on your face with a cotton ball after cleansing.
Diet Recommendations for Dry Skin
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Eat a balanced diet that includes vegetables, fruits, grains, seeds, and nuts. Eat quality protein from vegetable sources. Increase your intake of raw foods.
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Eat foods such as garlic, onions, eggs, and asparagus that are high in sulfur, which helps to keep the skin smooth and youthful.
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Consume plenty of yellow and orange vegetables. These are high in beta-carotene, an antioxidant. Carrots are especially good.
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Unrefined, cold-pressed flax seed oil used daily on salads and baked potatoes, or mixed into any dishes which do not require heating to high temperatures will make dry skin moist and supple. Flax seed oil contains the essential fatty acids omega-3 alpha linolenic acid and omega-6 linoleic acid. These are converted in the body into hormone, like substances called Prostaglandins, which support skin health.
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Cantaloupes, carrots and apricots are heating foods for dry skin because they are rich in the vitamins A and C, both important for a supple, smooth skin. Eat them whole or take as fresh juices. Eat foods rich in pantothenic acid (vitamin B5), such as quark, raw. milk cheese, natural plain yogurt, kefir, leafy green vegetables, nutritional yeast and wheat germ. Pantothenic acid is need for the synthesis of fats and oils used by the skin.
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Drink at least 2 quarts of quality water every day to keep the skin well hydrated.
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Avoid fried foods, animal fats, and heat-processed vegetable oils. Use cold- pressed oils only. Heating oils leads to the production of free radicals, which have a destructive effect on the skin.
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Do not drink soft drinks or eat sugar, chocolate, potato chips, or other junk foods.
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Avoid alcohol and caffeine. These substances have a diuretic effect, causing the body and skin cells to lose fluids and essential minerals.
Essential Oils For Dry Skin
Chamomile
Geranium
Hyssop
Lavender
Patchouli
Rose
Sandalwood
Ylang-Ylang
Common Sense Recommendations
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Evening primrose oil supplements are beneficial for skin. They contain gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), an essential fatty acid reputed to strengthen skin cells and boost their moisture content.
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Get sufficient sleep as the skin’s cellular repair activity is at its optimum during this resting phase.
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Exercise benefits skin as it boosts circulation and encourages blood flow. Regular exercise will nourish and cleanse your skin from within.
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To nourish and smooth the skin, mash half an avocado and mix with a few drops of fresh lemon juice and spread over the cleansed skin. Leave on for fifteen to twenty minutes, then dab off the excess with a soft tissue. Splash the skin alternately with cold and warm water.
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For a quick and easy skin pack, mash a ripe banana with a fork and spread it thickly onto the face and throat. Leave on for ten to fifteen minutes and then rinse with lukewarm water.
Those falling leaves aren’t the only things getting dry this fall. Just take a look at your skin. To help prevent that alligator look this winter, take steps this fall to get your skin into shape after the summer sun and water exposure have depleted precious moisture and nutrients. Realtors have a favorite line “location, location, location”. Dermatologists have their standard fall and winter mantra “moisturize, moisturize, moisturize”. Here are helpful tips to keep in mind to make the most of your moisturizing experience:
• Don’t Over Bathe
Time was when dermatologists used to tell those prone to horribly dry skin to bathe just once a week. Can you imagine? This myth continues to surface periodically. Nothing could be farther from the truth. What you do need to understand is that whenever you take a bath or shower, as the wash water evaporates from the skin, it takes valuable moisture from the epidermis with it leaving skin vulnerable. What you can do is cut down on the frequency of daily bathing (yes, there are people who through either personal hygiene habits or their jobs bathe more than once a day) and make sure you follow some of the other rules below. Towel dry very well, consider a product like Aquis Body Towel so that you get this bath water off your skin before evaporation has the opportunity to leave your skin dehydrated.
• Add Bath Oil
If you like taking a bath, one way to help hydrate your skin is to add bath oil into your water. It’s luxurious, helps leave the skin feeling quite smooth and some contain aromatherapy ingredients to create a relaxing mood, something we just can never get enough of. Robathol Bath Oil and L’Occitane Almond Shower Oil are great options. Bath oils also come in therapeutic formulations. For anyone prone to psoriasis, Balnetar Therapeutic Tar Bath is one of those can’t live without items from September through May. The tar helps alleviate much of the itching and flaking while the oil base helps hydrate dry cracking skin. A note of practicality when using any bath oilthey make your tub slippery! For those of you who would rather not bathe than get into the tub, nothing says you cannot apply splash some oil onto your skin while you shower.
• Carry Extra Hand Cream With You
Have you ever thought about how many times you wash your hands a day? While I’ve never stopped to count, it has to be at least 10 if not more. Constant contact with the water, not to mention harsh, often antibacterial soaps can cause dry cuticles, fragile nails and painful finger splits. To prevent this, carry some extra hand cream with you and apply after every hand washing. If you have a job that requires lots of hand washing (bartender, hair stylist, health care worker), keep an extra tube nearby.
• Moisturize Immediately After Washing
Evaporation may sound like something you learned about in high school chemistry, but it happens every day to your skin, particularly during cold, dry winter months. After you towel dry, increase the moisture content in your skin by applying a hydrating body cream like Korres Guava Body Butter or CeraVe Moisturizing Lotion. Particularly dry skin may savor an extra emollient base such as CeraVe Moisturizing Cream or L’Occitane Shea Butter Ultra Rich Body Cream.
• Switch To A Crme Based Skin Care Regimen
Whether or not your skin is dry year round or you’re prone to oily or combination skin, you should be rethinking your product bases during the fall. Switch to a hydrating base if there is an option for your particular skin care product whether it is for skin rejuvenation or dry skin. You will have a better barrier between you and the environment with a cream vs. a lotion or serum based product. I like Murad Soothing Skin and Lip Therapy, which moisturizes and provides a weatherproof barrier for both the face and lips.
• Moisturize More Than Once Daily
Who says that a moisturizer is only applied in the morning? Multiple applications of moisturizer will help speed up hydration and skin healing for anyone whose dry skin has gotten out of control. It is not uncommon for me to tell patients with parched symptomatic skin that if they apply their moisturizer 4 or 5 times a day for a week that they will see a significant rapid improvement in symptoms.
• Use An Active Ingredient If Necessary
An active ingredient is one that helps to exfoliate, hydrate or both. Glycolic acid (aka AHA), lactic acid, urea and salicylic acid (aka BHA) are all potential helper ingredients. While you don’t want to actively rub one into an open fissure, their use can help promote softer supple skin less likely to crack during the depths of winter. You may find that you want to mix and match these various active agents such as Priori Advanced AHA Hand & Body Revitalizing Lotion, AmLactin Moisturizing Body Cream or Carmol 20 Cream. Another option would be to use DERMAdoctor KP Duty Dermatologist Moisturizing Therapy For Dry Skin with a combination of glycolic acid, urea, algae, green tea and hyaluronic acid. Any of the above mentioned products can be used twice daily or used once daily along with a regular bland based moisturizing cream.
• Cracks & Splits
Use DERMAdoctor Handy Manum Medicated Skin Repair Serum with 1% Hydrocortisone at least nightly, ideally twice a day. DERMAdoctor Handy Manum Anti-Itch Fissure Relief Serum contains a bevy of AHAs, salicylic acid and propylene glycol to quickly softens the hard, dry skin, allowing the fissures to heal. It also contains 1 percent hydrocortisone, oat beta glucan and green tea extract to help reduce itching and inflammation. The base establishes a protective barrier to prevent further environmental challenges. I think of DERMAdoctor Handy Manum Medicated Skin Repair Serum with 1% Hydrocortisone as a medicated dry oil; a little goes a long way and won’t leave skin feeling greasy.
Apply Polysporin First Aid Antibiotic Ointment into the splits twice a day. Do not use any topical antibiotic ointment that contains neomycin which is a notorious skin sensitizer and cause of contact dermatitis.
• Eczema Concerns
Eczema is often a hereditary, chronic dry skin condition and winter is no friend of those with atopic dermatitis. While prescription steroid creams and most recently Protopic are used to help heal those itching scaling patches, Triceram or Nouriva can be used help prevent and even heal often without the need for topical steroid products. Dry skin due to eczema, atopic dermatitis or even environmental or occupational reactions loses its ability to repair itself when the natural barriers are lost. Both Triceram & Nouriva work because the formulation is based upon a ceramide dominant ration of naturally occurring lipids. This in turn helps restore the necessary healthy barrier and repair the skin.
• Bubble Bath Mayhem
Bubble bath is often just detergent added to water. If you are looking for something to create ambience, look to herbal bubble bath that contains hydrating essential oils such as California Baby. This particular brand offers a variety of aromatherapeutic options that will hydrate your skin with less chance of causing dryness or irritation.
• Humidify Your Environment
Once you turn on the heat, the air becomes very dry in your environment if you don’t have a humidifier on the furnace. Or you can have individual room humidifiers. And of course autumn and winter air lacks the humidity that Mother Nature provides the rest of the year. If you can, humidify your environment, your skin will thank you for it.
• Be Wary Of Winter Time Vitamin A Use
Vitamin A has a variety of molecular cousins used in the treatment of acne, psoriasis and skin rejuvenation. Tretinoin (Retin A, Renova, Avita), Tazarotene (Tazorac), Adapalene (Differin) and Retinols (Afirm or Neova Retinol ME 0.30%) are likely to cause exaggerated dryness, irritation, flaking or redness during cold weather. You may find that using the product less often may help. Or you may want to use a moisturizer aimed at healing skin dry due to the use of these agents like Nouriva Repair Moisturizing Cream. Kinerase has been very popular for skin rejuvenation treatment who cannot tolerate the use of vitamin A based products during this time of year.
• Nip Itching In The Bud
Dry skin is often itchy skin. There is nothing harder to break than the itch-scratch cycle. Preventing the formation of dry skin is the best option but when this cycle has started, make sure you attack the symptoms of itching along with the dry skin. The more you scratch, the more the inflamed skin will itch and the harder it will be to heal the affected area. Oral antihistamines like Zyrtec and topical anesthetics like PrameGel, LMX or Prax Lotion help keep your from scratching your skin raw. Prescription options such as oral hydroxyzine, doxepin or zonolon cream may be helpful as well. I have personally found those non-sedating oral antihistamines often used to control the symptoms associated with hay fever rarely help control itching.
Avoid rough, dry cracked skin this year by planning ahead. Moisturize your skin this fall and winter. Moisturize, moisturize, moisturize.
Thank you for taking the time to read through this important information. I hope you have found this article informative.
(Any topic discussed in this article is not intended as medical advice. If you have a medical concern, please check with your doctor.)
by:shaziawajid