winterize your skin

Give special care to thirsty skin naturally. Here's how

Does your skin itch, feel tight, flake, and peel? Does it look red and rough? Cold winter weather with its low humidity and central heating as well as hot showers and baths, could be the culprits. But you can remedy seasonal dry skin with the right moisturizer and other natural approaches.

"Ordinary dry skin can be uncomfort able, unsightly, and frustrating," says Garth Fisher, MD, FACS, a boardcertified plastic surgeon and researcher who practices in Beverly Hills, Calif. "It wreaks havoc on plump, healthy cells, turning them into shriveled and dehydrated-looking ones, and creating fine lines and wrinkles."

Why So Dry?

Both environment and genetics may play a role in skin dryness, but in either case, dry skin is the result of disrupted epidermal barrier function. "The skin is not producing the structural lipids responsible for preventing water loss and protecting skin from foreign substances," Fisher explains.

According to the Mayo Clinic, skin is often driest on your arms, lower legs, and the sides of your abdomen. Dry skin is different from eczema, which is an allergic skin condition that most often affects the face, wrists, inside of the elbows, backs of the knees, and outer thighs. Eczema is hereditary and is often associated with allergies and asthma. It can affect all age groups, but is most often seen in young children, where it looks like a red, itchy, scaly rash.

Chronic or severe dry skin problems may require a dermatologist's evaluation. Excessively dry skin can be a sign of hypothyroidism, as is dry, brittle hair and nails. But you can do a lot on your own to soothe, hydrate, and heal thirsty winter skin. Bathe and shower in warm, rather than hot, water, avoiding harsh, drying soaps. And remember to moisturize, moisturize, moisturize.

Secrets to Softness

"The key ingrethents to look for in winter skin products include those that mimic the structural epidermal barrier lipids, such as ceramides, cholesterol, and linoienic essentia) fatty acids, " says Fisher. "The lipids help reduce transepidermal water loss, which is the leading cause of skin dryness. Ingredients that attract water to the skin (humectants), such as glycerin, hyaluronic acid, sodium PCA, and Panthenol (vitamin B5) are extremely helpful at alleviating skin dryness."

Additional secrets to healthy winter skin include keeping exfoliation with acids, enzymes, or abrasive substances to a minimum. Too much exfoliation can exacerbate dry skin. The upper layer of skin cells help keep water within the deeper skin layers and also keep foreign substances from entering the skin.

Continue to wear sunscreen in winter. UV rays are present throughout the year-especially at higher elevations. For every 1,000-foot increase in elevation, the intensity of UV rays increases up to 5 percent. Also, these rays are reflected and magnified by snow and other smooth surfaces. More important, UVA rays, which are primarily responsible for collagen and elastin damage in the deeper dermal tissue, are present throughout the year. Apply a broad-spectrum UVAUVB sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15 daily.

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DID YOU KNOW?

Safflower oil isa natural skin emollient. Apply after a bath or shower to lock in moisture.

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Product Examples

Soothe and nourish dry skin with Earth Science Multi- Therapy Body and Massage Lotion. This rich lotion is formulated for massage therapy, aroma- therapy, and dry skin therapy. Exceptional glide without stickiness makes this an ideal lotion for massage. Fragrance free, it blends easily with essential oils. Natural emollients and skin-softening oils provide long-lasting dry-skin relief.

Quench thirsty- winter skin with Jason Natural E.F.A. Hand & Body Lotion. The moisture- balancing formula with essential fatty acids is enriched with evening primrose and black currant oil to maintain skin elasticity and restore a healthful glow. Ruba little extra on rough spots such as elbows, knees, and heels.

Repair and heal dry skin with Derma E Complete E Cranberry Cr�me. This intense moisturizer blends antioxidant vitamin E with cranberry seed oil, rich in tocotrienols and omega-3 and omega-6 essential fatty acids, to soothe and hydrate extremely dry, itchy skin, including eczema.

Rescue itchy, dry, sensitive skin with Nature's Gate Colloidal Oatmeal Moisturiz- ing Lotion. Soothing colloidal oatmeal is blended with skin-calming botanicals and moisturizing oils to comfort chapped skin. The lightweight, fragrance-free lotion absorbs quickly.

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BEAUTY FOODS FOR DRY SKIN

WATER OR TEA. Hydrate your skin from the inside by drinking the recommended eight glasses of water a day. Tea, rich in polyphenols for antioxidant protection, is a great alternative to water for boosting your daily hydration.

FISH AND FLAXSEEDS. Get enough fat in your diet, particularly from omega-3 fats found in fish and flaxseeds. This helps nourish skin from the inside out.

OMEGA-6 FATS. Naturally present in evening primrose, borage, and black currant oils, omega-6 fats are thought to help soften skin as well. They can be taken in supplement form, and are also used in many moisturizers.