Molly Tierney, Esthetician
Do not use harsh soaps with hydrogenated oils, as they can lead to free radical damage of the skin, resulting in dryness and wrinkles. Instead, use pure olive, avocado, or almond oil. Spray an herbal floral water mist on your face throughout the day to hydrate and replenish dry skin.
Try taking a daily supplement of evening primrose oil, which contains linolenic acid, an essential fatty acid needed by the skin. Vitamin A may also help, as well as eating a balanced diet that includes vegetables, fruits, grains, and nuts. Increase your intake of raw foods. Avoid alcohol and caffeine, as these substances have a diuretic effect that causes the body, including the skin, to lose fluids and essential minerals. As no one, or no one’s skin, is exactly the same, seek out the advice of a professional in your area if your skin continues to show signs of excessive dryness or roughness.
Molly Tierney, a licensed esthetician since 1993, has provided professional skin care services for the past eleven years at the Lodge and Spa at Cordillera in Edwards, Colorado (cordilleralodge.com).Saraswati Dwarakanath, Ayurvedic Physician
According to Ayurveda we are directly connected with nature and made up of the same elements as nature, earth, water, fire, air, and space. Dry skin results from an imbalance in air and space. Balance needs to come from inside out, not just by supplying moisture superficially.
Avoid spicy, light, dry, cool, and bitter foods, and increase amounts of apples, mangos, bananas, melons, papaya, avocado, cucumbers, pumpkin, squashes, and soaked almonds in the diet. Include ginger, cumin, garlic, coriander, and turmeric in cooking, as these help to soothe the skin. Do not completely avoid oil in your diet, as this will definitely worsen the condition. Avoid caffeine and alcohol, which have a tendency to dry skin. Drink at least three liters of room temperature water a day. Warm green tea is also considered very effective.
Stress can aggravate dry skin. Be aware of your breath, and try to do regular deep breathing to help balance the air in the body. Any type of exercise will help increase circulation, which will keep the sebaceous glands balanced and retain more moisture in the skin.
Avoid exposure to extreme hot or cold environments, and artificial winter heating. Do not bathe immediately after exercise or meals. Avoid long exposure to water (pool/ bath) as this drains the skin’s moisture. Apply oil to skin before entering the water. Regular massage with herbal oils can help keep skin healthy. Leave a thin layer of coconut or almond oil on the body after showering while skin is still damp. In addition, once a week, apply a mask of apple, cucumber, glycerin, rose water, honey, yogurt, egg yolk, honey, and aloe vera to the face.
Ayurvedic physician Dwarakanath is also a qualified yoga and Reiki Master. She serves as the Consultant in Ayurvedic and Natural Medicine at COMO Shambhala Retreat at Parrot Cay in the Turks and Caicos. (Parrot Cay)Carolyn O’Neil, MS, RD
Eating right means consuming the nutrients you need to be healthy inside and out.
Antioxidants including vitamin C, vitamin E, and beta carotene guard against the breakdown of cells in the body, including the skin. The best protection is an array of antioxidants from brightly colored fruits and vegetables.
Vitamin C is essential for the formation of collagen, a network of fibers that keeps skin plump and wrinkle-free. Good sources of vitamin C include citrus fruits, red peppers, dark green leafy vegetables, tomatoes, strawberries, and kiwi fruit.
Beta carotene (converted to vitamin A in the body) helps build and repair skin cells, and may protect against sun damage. Note: Vitamin A supplements in high doses can be toxic, so go for naturally occurring sources in carrots, pumpkin, mangos, sweet potatoes, and other orange-colored foods. Vitamin E helps protect healthy cells and guards against sun damage, too. Good sources include wheat germ, fortified cereals, nuts, and seeds. Research suggests vitamin E works synergistically with vitamin C for an extra boost of skin protection. Try a glass of orange juice with a handful of almonds for a skin friendly snack.
Oysters are a great source of the mineral zinc, which is involved in the formation of new collagen. In addition, the mineral selenium, found in tuna and crab, may help delay aging by protecting skin’s elasticity.
Healthy fats such as omega-3 fats found in salmon, flaxseeds, and walnuts – and the monounsaturated fats found in olive oil, avocados, and nuts – help keep skin moisturized from the inside out. And there’s definitely something to that fountain of youth: drinking water throughout the day keeps skin hydrated so that fine lines are less visible.
Carolyn O’Neil, MS, RD, is co-author of The Dish on Eating Healthy and Being Fabulous! (Atria Books, 2004). O’Neil appears as The Lady of the Refrigerator on Alton Brown’s Food Network series, Good Eats. (www.carolynoneil.com)Some Articles Related To Dry Skin :
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