Save Your Skin!

Dry Itchy Skin? You May Need This

We see the ads on television telling us that this product or that is some big miracle and will cure our dry skin. More often than not those products are petroleum based or contain heavy waxes and oils which simply coat the skin, masking the dry skin.

First, be sure the dry skin isn’t the result of an underlying medical issue. If the techniques below do not alleviate the issue, make an appointment so a medical professional who can rule out other causes such as adrenal, thyroid, digestive, or reproductive health issues.

- Essential Fatty Acids: Low fat dieting has left many with dry skin. The problem is the body is not receiving enough fat from its diet for good health, this results in health concerns, some which present with side effects such as hair loss and dry skin.

- Body Lotion: Do moisturize daily. Avoid lotions with any petroleum products, waxes, or too many ingredients or ones which you can’t name. Look for those with avocado oil, almond oil, jojoba oil, glycerin, borage oil, and other plant extracted oils.

- Glycerin Soap: Most Bar soaps are made with sodium tallowate, which is a fancy name for rendered beef fat and lye salts. Additionally, they usually contain triclosan, and other anti-bacterials. These ingredients strip skin, robbing it of moisture. Further, using the anti-bacterial soaps all the time can lead to bacterial resistance, rendering them useless. Glycerin, made from vegetable oils, simply suffocates bacteria by breaking down the batter barrier, which also helps the skin absorb more water.

- Vitamin-E: Two symptoms of vitamin-E deficiency include skin sores and dry skin problems. Skin that is slow to heal and which develops sores, pimples, and other disorders easily is usually a symptom of both vitamin-E and vitamin-B deficiencies. In addition to taking an oral supplement, eat more foods such as nuts and avocados, which contain higher amounts of vitamin-E.

-Exfoliation: Removing loose, dry skin can reveal healthier, hydrated skin below. Using a stiff brush, loofa, or other exfoliating product daily can help remove dead skin. If not exfoliated, that dead skin can build up, especially on the arms, legs, feet, hands, elbows, and knees. The dead skin resists hydration from lotions and can be itchy and feel scaly.

- Coconut Oil: This is a tropical secret to healthy skin. Coconut oil is one of the three most similar oils to skin’s natural sebum (oil). It absorbs into skin, provides UV protection and is naturally anti-bacterial, antiviral, and antifungal.

-Water: Be sure to drink plenty of water. Carbonated, caffeinated, chemically sweetened, and sugar laden food and drink can leave the body dehydrated as it tries to flush it from the system. Be sure to get plenty of fresh water and eat fresh fruits and vegetables which are not just nutrient dense, but also contain large amounts of water.

Curing dry skin doesn’t have to be a fight or a chore. With a these few tips, some diet changes, and a little daily TLC, dry itchy skin may be less of a problem and may even disappear.