Posts Tagged ‘Dry Skin Care’



The good news is that today, there are many types of treatments and natural treatments to choose from, for your dry or damaged skin. The symptoms most associated with damaged or dry skin are scaling, which is the visible peeling of the outer skin layer, itching and cracks in the skin.

Our skin also receives less blood flow and lower gland activity than the other organs in our body. The average square inch of skin holds 650 sweat glands, 20 blood vessels, 60,000 melanocytes, and more than a thousand nerve endings. Skin is made up of loose connective tissue and elastin.

Dry skin can be due to a genetic condition but it’s not common. If you break out on the skin around your eyes, it could be the shellac in your mascara; buy a shellac-free mascara like Ecco Bella’s. Dry skin can be caused by a deficiency of vitamin A, systemic illness, overexposure to sunlight or some medications.

Dry skin can also be a sign of an underactive thyroid. Serious skin complications, including a dry skin condition, can arise for people with type 2 diabetes. Environmental factors, such as exposure to sun, wind, cold, chemicals, or cosmetics, or excessive bathing with harsh soaps, can cause dry skin. Damaged skin can occur from many different causes; the sun being one of the most common causes.

It’s especially important for people with dry skin, damaged skin, or acne to eat foods high in omega-3’s.Eat an avocado every day; put it in your salad or mash it up and eat it with a spoon. Eat high-fiber snacks like raw nuts, raw seeds, fresh fruit or dried fruit like dates, and figs.

Cosmetics should be used carefully because they may dry out the skin or cause allergic reactions like contact dermatitis; read the labels. Natural treatments should always be the first type of treatments to consider when you want to heal and take the best care of your skin. Avoid all products that have an alcohol base.

Apply coconut oil daily to your skin to heal, moisturize and soothe it. I’ve found coconut oil to be the best natural healing treatment for dry or damaged skin. After a soothing bath or shower at night just before bedtime, apply a thin layer of coconut oil over your entire body; it’ll even last on your skin through your shower in the morning. Dry skin contributes to fine lines and wrinkles; coconut oil helps prevent the onset by keeping the skin soft and supple.

Use coconut oil to remove your make-up at night, like I do; it leaves a fine layer of oil to nourish your skin all night long; but better yet, apply more coconut oil. When you buy coconut oil, make sure you get the kind that hasn’t been refined, processed and deodorized.

Many skin conditions can be converted into clear, healthy skin by using natural home remedies. The skin supports its own ecosystem of microorganisms, including yeasts and bacteria, which cannot be removed by any amount of cleaning.

See your doctor or naturopathic doctor if your damaged skin doesn’t improve in spite of your best efforts. Usually we can take care of dry or damaged skin without seeing our doctor, but sometimes we can’t avoid it. Make sure to call your skin doctor or dermatologist when you have any open cuts or sores from scratching that won’t heal.

By: Helen Hecker



Treating dry skin does not have to be a mystery. To take care of your condition permanently you must first determine what is causing your skin to dry out and then buy the right products to address the issue. Early intervention and consistency is key, so be sure to stick to your skin care routine at all costs. Doing so will not only cure dry skin, it will prevent it from occurring in the first place.

Before we look at the products for dry skin, let’s look at some reasons why your skin could be lacking in moisture. It is only after you have a good idea of what is causing your dry skin that you can actually formulate a plan to cure it. Here are a few of the major causes of itchy, flaky skin:

* Medical condition – There are several medical conditions that can cause dry skin. Some of these conditions include Thyroid disease, Hodgkin’s disease, diabetes and liver failure. In order to treat a skin condition when a medical cause is present, you should first address the medical issue. In many cases, controlling the medical concern is enough to bring the skin back into balance. If not, you may want to consider hydrating your skin with the skin care products mentioned below.

* Dehydration – Did you know that the majority of people are dehydrated and do not even know it? To stay fully hydrated, you must drink 8 to 10 glasses of water each day. This number increases dramatically if you are physically active or if the weather is extremely hot. Remember; your skin is hydrated internally. If your body lacks the water to do this, your skin will suffer and become dry.

* Weather – Cold and harsh weather can zap the moisture right out of your skin. You may also experience dry skin during the winter months due to your heating system. Be sure to cover all exposed skin before going outdoors and use a humidifier inside your home.

* Bathing – Hot water and soap all work to remove dirt, debris and oil from your skin. The only problem is that bathing also removes the oil that is responsible for keeping moisture in your skin. To reduce the effect that bathing has on your dry skin, bathe in tepid water and use moisturizers afterward.

* Medications – Certain medications and medical treatments can result in dry skin. Be sure to talk to your doctor about the possibility of this. He or she may be able to give you some pointers on how to counteract this side effect of treatment.

The Most Popular Dry Skin Products

Once you know what is causing your dry skin, it is time to find a product to hydrate it. There are many products out on the market so it can be a little confusing to choose the right ones for your needs.

Here is a brief guide to help you out:

* Basic lotions – Basic lotions are ideal for use after showering or several times throughout the day. They are not good for chronic dry skin conditions or for spot treatments. The Sweet Grass Farm Shea Butter Lotion sold by Dogwood Square is suitable for hands and body. It contains shea butter and olive oil, a powerful combination of moisture and natural antioxidants. This lotion gets rave reviews for its rich creamy texture and moisturizing abilities.

* Silicone lotions – These lotions are great for the hands and feet. They protect the skin against the elements by forming a silicone layer. This is ideal for people who have to wash their hands a lot.

* Body butter – Body butter is an intense moisturizing cream that is best used for dry skin spots or as a weekly treatment. You can use this intense treatment on tough spots throughout the day, but you should avoid applying it to the rest of your skin on a regular basis as it can cause greasiness.

* Medicated creams – Are used by people who have a recurring dry skin condition that will not heal. These creams are most often used by diabetics who are facing several skin issues including infection.

Curing dry skin is easily done if you know which products to use. If you use the wrong products, you will likely not get the results that you desire. Keep in mind that what works for your friend may not work for you. Everyone has different skin and each skin type requires a different kind of treatment.

Sometimes, the best way to find the perfect products is through trial and error. Take advantage of trial offers, and if a product does not cure your dry skin, do not hesitate to return it for a refund or exchange.

By: Della Franklin

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