Alternative Skin Care Tips for Winter – Part Two

Your skin deserves the best you can give it. During the season of winter you really need to turn up the tender loving care aspect and treat it extra special.

In the first part of this series I provided tips on keeping your skin moist during winter. You can read Alternative Skin Care Tips for Winter – Part One here.

Today, I want to talk about drink and foods that can help your skin looking great through the cold months.

But first an additional tip about soaps. One of the things you should do right away is to reduce the amount of soap you use on a regular basis. Resist the urge to use a lot and to scrub your skin in the shower. Choose a soap that acts as a mild cleansing agent. Good choices include soaps that are vegetable and oil-based or made of olive oil. Not only will these types of soaps clean your skin but they will moisturize it as well. Use a soft loofah or bath sponge when you are bathing. Only use deodorant soaps for your underarms and your feet if necessary.

Drink and Food for a Sparkling Skin:

Summer is not the only season when you need to drink plenty of Mother Nature’s cocktail- water! You need plenty of water to hydrate yourself on the inside. This will keep your skin looking smooth, plump and youthful. Water can help to bathe your cells and get rid of waste products quickly and effectively. In the world of alternative medicine many skin problems are the result of poor digestion, not enough water and a lack of fiber.

Speaking of a lack of fiber, your winter skin needs all that it can get to function at its best and to look its best!

To increase your intake choose whole grain products such as brown rich instead of refined products. Eat more apples, cauliflower and high-fiber snacks such as dried fruits (dates, figs and prunes), nuts and seeds. Sprinkle ground flaxseed on your yogurt, salads, casseroles, oatmeal and soups. Flaxseeds are one of the many foods that can provide internal moisturizing for the body. Add beans and legumes to some of your favorite recipes.

The condition of your skin is a reflection of how well you take care of your body overall. In the winter months you need to ensure that you are eating enough good fats. Essential fatty acids are fats that your body requires to be healthy and strong. They provide many beneficial functions to the body. As for your skin they are very helpful for those individuals who suffer from inflammatory conditions such as acne or eczema. They are also very important for those who suffer from dry skin.

Increase your intake of healthy fats by consuming flaxseed and walnut oil and cold water fish such as sardines and salmon. You might even want to add a fish oil supplement to your cold weather diet. Nuts are a source of healthy fat but eat them in small quantities. Avocadoes are high in healthy fats. Dip your whole grain crackers or bread in hummus and use olive oil as a dressing for your salads.

Humidity and your skin.

If your home does not have enough humidity in it then it can dry out your skin.

To increase your humidity levels buy a humidifier or create your own. Heat water and then place bowls or pots of it on your wood stove or heater. Make sure you are safe about it. Or you might want to simply sit bowls of water about your home such as on tables or countertops.

Another trick is to hang wet laundry on a line or rack in your home. The water from the clothing will be absorbed into the air as it dries.

Follow the tips of the last two posts you should make it through winter to spring with skin the envy of all your friends – as a famous ad said “If your friends don’t accuse you of having a face-lift, then send the bottle back and we’ll refund your money.”  Alright, so my tips are free and I can’t refund anything but you get my sentiment…

Becca Scott

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Alternative Skin Care Tips for Winter – Part One

Winter is not always kind and gentle to skin. Not all seasons affect the skin in the same way. While getting sunburned is not a worry during the cold winter months there are other concerns that you must think about.

For instance during the coldest months of the year low humidity levels outdoors combined with dry heat indoors can lead to skin that is itchy, dry and on the irritated side.

To treat your skin in the best way possible you need to take the natural approach to keeping it healthy. That means taking care of it from the inside out as well as from the outside in. Your skin needs to be nourished by the foods you eat but also by what you do to it externally.

What then should you do in terms of seasonal skin care?

One of the most important things you can do is to make sure that your skin care regimen includes exfoliation. This is essential for both your face and your body. By skipping this essential step in your skin care process you can easily end up with skin that is dry, flaky and not very flattering. Exfoliating at least once a week will get rid of the layers of dead skin cells and will allow the newer and smoother cells to shine through.

You can exfoliate your face using an exfoliating scrub that is soft and gentle. You can exfoliate your body in the shower using a soft loofah or scrub.

Another option is to do dry skin brushing or a dry brush exfoliation on your body right before you take a shower. Not only does this get rid of dead skin cells but it is also a form of detoxification for the skin. Doing this also improves blood circulation and it reduces puffiness of the skin. It is also believed to be very soothing for the nervous system. Just make sure that you choose a soft natural bristle brush that will not bruise your skin.

Do not spend too long in the shower or bath or take really hot ones. This can dry out your skin. Once you are finished bathing before you dry off slather a rich moisturizing cream on your body that will lock in moisture and will make your skin feel softer.

Your skin is the largest organ of your body and needs to be treated right.

Apply almond oil, coconut oil or jojoba oil to your skin. Or look for a lotion that contains one of these softening ingredients for your winter skin. Other excellent options are lotions that contain cocoa butter, Shea butter or glycerin. These oils will make your skin look great and they will make it feel even better!

In part two of this series we’ll talk about the right foods to eat to help with your winter skin care.

Becca Scott

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