Natural Winter Skin Care

Dry winter air zaps moisture from skin which can lead to chapping, itchy, irritation and dryness. Statistics show over 81 million people are affected by annoying dry and itchy skin in the winter months or from November to March. How to fight winter’s skin irritations? If you have tried topical moisturizers and they just don’t seem to help, use natural moisturizers to combat winter’s low humidity, central heating and fireplaces.

Types of Natural Cares

Olive oil is an amazing. Olive oil can instantly help your dry cuticles, soften hands and elbows, and remove makeup. It soothes and conditions itchy dry skin all over your body. If you skin feels very dry, dab on a thin layer of extra virgin oil. You will gain the benefits of antioxidants and good fatty acids.

Exfoliate you skin with yogurt, pumpkin or papaya. Open the refrigerator in your kitchen or in the produce and diary section of your supermarket. Use yogurt, the plain Greek type, for cleansing your dry skin. Just wash with a mild exfoliating action, rinse with warm water and feel refreshed. Yogurt exfoliates with lactic acid rather than scrubbing grains.

You can also use a papaya or pumpkin mask. Just blend in a food processor or until pulpy, add a bit of cinnamon and smooth on your face. Leave on for at least five to fifteen minutes. Rinse off, and feel rejuvenated.

Use a homemade skin scrub of sugar and oil you have around the kitchen. It is preferable to use olive oil, but any vegetable oils can be used as long as you rinse off completely. You can also use brown sugar with a tablespoon of honey. You might want to add lemon juice as well and rub it on your skin in circular motions.

Use a bit of organic honey in the evening on your lips and wake up to smooth and tasty lips. You can also use organic honey on cracked heels and rough elbows.

Coconut oil is awesome for your skin. You can find coconut oil in the specialty foods section of your grocery store. Be sure to rub it in completely.

Diet for Dry Skin Relief

No matter when you are exposed to ultraviolet light from the sun as well as environmental pollutants, the formation of free radicals can take a toll on your skin by damaging DNA and promoting the age spots and wrinkles. Antioxidants prevent and repair free radical damage. Find antioxidants in the foods you eat as well as applying them directly to your skin.

Vitamin A reduces wrinkles, smooths out dryness and roughness and reduces brown spots when applied topically. Vitamin C fights free radicals and protects your skin from UV damage. Vitamin E provides natural moisture to your skin and helps to minimize irritation. Drink green tea that is a potent source of antioxidants. EGCG in green tea eliminates free radicals, rejuvenates your skin and reactivates drying skin cells. Green tea can be called “a fountain of youth for your skin cells.” 

Essential fatty acids are healthy fats your body does not make. You get them from dietary sources. They help build the skin cells and give function and appearance to your skin. Fatty acids help cells remain healthy and keep water and nutrients into your skins. These acids also allow waste products to leach out. If you are someone with a fatty acid deficiency you will definitely have dry skin. Find omega-3 fats in oily fish. Try using evening primrose oil preparations on your skin.

Zinc and selenium are minerals are essential for renewing skin cells. Your skin takes an extra beating in the winter and you need to include zinc rich foods in your diet. Eat oysters, pumpkin seeds, lima beans, and crab and chick peas. Beef is also an important source of zinc.

Selenium is a free radical scavenging antioxidant that protects your skin from tissue elasticity damage. Eat just a few Brazil nuts or try shitake mushrooms, shrimp, eggs, garlic and salmon.

Don’t forget natural herbs and oils when taken in supplement form work to rejuvenate winter damaged skin. Chamomile tea promotes sleep and enhances skin healing when applied topically. Chamomile improves skin appearance by enhancing texture.

Aloe vera is soothing on burns and this soothing property extends to dry winter skin. Just dab a bit of aloe vera onto your skin to promote cell regeneration and healing. Aloe vera is a rich source of vitamins A, C, E, and B.

Lavender is a calming herb. It is used as an inhaled in aromatherapy, but can be applied in oil form to skin. It does help relive dryness and scaling patches. Rub on lavender oil in the correct form and help your skin while you sleep.

You may want to relax in a hot shower or bath, but do resist the urge to make the water hot. Hot water removes your skins natural oils and might just leave your skin extremely dry. Try shorter showers and use warm water. Love hot and soothing baths? Use essential oils like lavender and chamomile to sooth your dry skin.

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HealthStatus has been operating since 1998 providing the best interactive health tools on the Internet, millions of visitors have used our blood alcohol, body fat and calories burned calculators. The HealthStatus editorial team has continued that commitment to excellence by providing our visitors with easy to understand high quality health content for many years. Our team of health professionals, and researchers use peer reviewed studies as source elements in our articles. Our high quality content has been featured in a number of leading websites, USA Today, the Chicago Tribune, Live Strong, GQ, and many more.

Written by HealthStatus Team
Medical Writer & Editor

HealthStatus has been operating since 1998 providing the best interactive health tools on the Internet, millions of visitors have used our blood alcohol, body fat and calories burned calculators. The HealthStatus editorial team has continued that commitment to excellence by providing our visitors with easy to understand high quality health content for many years. Our team of health professionals, and researchers use peer reviewed studies as source elements in our articles. Our high quality content has been featured in a number of leading websites, USA Today, the Chicago Tribune, Live Strong, GQ, and many more.

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