Simple Ways to Battle Dry Skin and Chapped Lips
By Sarah Foulkes, GalTime.com
After all that fun in the sun, Fall is the perfect season for rejuvenating damaged skin and protecting it from the upcoming winter dryness.
Your skin needs to be taken care of properly to avoid damage, signs of aging and skin cancer. Getting healthy looking skin starts with what you put in your body.
Staying hydrated is key to maintaining hyrdrated and glowing skin, but the secret is not just drinking lots of water. Family physician Dr. Josie L. Tenore also suggests limiting the intake of anything that can be dehydrating, such as caffeine and alcohol. If you normal day includes a cup of joe and a glass wine, she says you need to compensate by doubling the amount of water and fluid you get elsewhere. Fresh fruits and veggies will help supply your skin with the fluid (and nutrients) it needs. Other foods that hydrate your skin include those high in essential fatty acids like walnuts and flaxseed.
Related: 5 Foods to Fight Wrinkles
Vitamins can help turn dull skin into your best beauty feature. Research shows that vitamins C, E, A, K, and B complex can all help improve your skin health and anti-oxidant vitamins may even prevent DNA damage. Studies have shown that Vitamin C may prevent wrinkles and improve skin texture. Not enough Vitamin A and you may notice flaky, dry skin and if you're low on Vitamin B Complex you could end up with itchy, scaly skin.
Fish oil helps replenish the lipid barrier on your skin, which in turn helps rebuild cells, as well as activate collagen and elastin. Omega-3 fatty acids fight inflammation and have been shown to help soothe rashes and fight acne breakouts. You can get your fish oil the natural way, by eating salmon, mackerel or sardines, or you can take a fish oil supplement.
Related: Master Moisturizing This Fall
The other important thing that we all know about, but don't always do, is use sunscreen - yes, even in the winter. Put sunscreen on your hands and neck -- they show wrinkles the quickest -- and always on your face. It's easiest if you have a moisturizer with sunscreen it. Put your moisturizer on in an upward motion because gravity already pulls everything down.
Moisturizing is crucial and should be done every single day. This should take place right out of the shower when your skin is barely damp. Beauty blogger Aleya (spontaneouschick.com) says pat your skin dry rather than rubbing it with a towel and then moisturize.
Super hot showers or baths are actually damaging to your skin and robs it of its moisture. Lukewarm water and using bath oils once a week help rejuvenate your skin. Exfoliating in the shower once a week, lightly, to slough off dead skin will keep your skin smooth and even.
For super dry hands and feet rub petroleum jelly on them and cover with mittens and socks. When you wake up in the morning your hands and feet will be incredibly smooth.
Related: The Best Way to Beat Chapped Lips
For chapped lips, Dr. David Banks, the President of the New York Society for Dermatology, says coconut oil is an amazing natural remedy. Dab a small amount on your lips when they're dry. Dr. Banks also says "Rub your lips with sliced cucumber as many have found it to be a simple, but effective way of conquering chapped lips."
Finally, investing in a humidifier is a great way to keep skin moisturized and avoid over drying, as well.
More from GalTime.com
