Skin Care in the Winter

 

Cold weather, central heating, even hot showers – these things, plus others , can exacerbate dry skin. Therefore it may be worth just giving a moments thought to how you look after your skin when it is cold, and like today, snowy.

Why would that be a good idea? Well the skin is the largest organ of the body, though it is not easy to think of it in this way. It has major functions to fulfill in maintaining our health.  It helps regulate body temperature, eliminates toxins and is the first line of defence against physical and pathogenic injury or infection. If it gets too dry it may crack, damaging its integrity, and if there is also a problem with oedema in the legs, making them swollen and the skin very tight, dry skin leaves you vulnerable to ulcers developing. Besides which, it feels uncomfortable and doesn’t look all that great either.

There are lots of products on the market to put on your skin to help keep it smooth and supple. You probably have your favourite. Just have a think what you are putting on your skin. Check ingredients. They will be absorbed into your system. Will that be a good idea? Maybe that is a subject for another blog? (Note to self).

However, this external care needs to be complemented by caring for it from within. That is, what you eat makes a big difference.

Caffeinated drinks and alcohol are dehydrating, so limit your consumption of these, and make sure you are drinking enough water. Try herbal teas, hot lemon and honey with some ginger root in it, or experiment with making your own, especially if you have fresh herbs in the garden or in a window box. Soups, fresh fruit and vegetables have a good water content. Apples, pears, root vegetables such as beetroot, carrots, parsnips are in season and make excellent soups and stews. All the winter leafy greens are good too, providing roughage, vitamins, minerals, chlorophyll, essential fatty acids and even friendly bacteria.

Bring good fats into your diet. Lipids are essential in maintaining the integrity of cells in the body as well as in the skin, so help to keep cells hydrated. Omega 3 is found in oily fish such as mackerel, salmon, sardines and fresh tuna and also in avocado, walnuts, linseeds (flaxseeds). Omega 6 is found in evening primrose oil, borage oil, and walnuts.  Olive oil provides omega 3,6, and 9. Sea buckthorn oil provides omega, 3,6,9 and 7. The latter oil is especially helpful for post menopausal  women if intimate dryness is causing a problem. The body needs more omega 3 than 6 so be aware of maintaining a balance. If all that seems a bit challenging, a good combination oil supplement may help.

Still confused? Contact Wendy; some muscle resistance testing and a chat could clarify things for you.

Enjoy the beauty amongst the inconvenience of snowy weather. The snow isn’t 3 metres deep nor the temperature -27C!

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