Autumn is here and the temperatures are dropping. The mountains surrounding my house are draped in red, orange, and gold. We've put away our shorts and flip flops and pulled out our sweaters and jackets. But for many, cooler weather brings dry skin. Severe dry skin can bring additional health issues. Cracked skin can't act as a barrier to bacteria, increasing the risk of infection. It can also lead to eczema so it’s important to get it under control now. Let's discuss some things you can do to prevent dry, flaky, chapped skin when the temps drop and that cold, dry wind blows.
Limit Your Exposure to Water
When moisture on the skin evaporates, it pulls out natural oils with it. Because of this, it is important to limit time spent bathing and showering. Take short baths and showers in a steamy bathroom. The hotter the water, the worse it is for your skin. Skip swimming in chlorinated pools. You only want to limit your skin's exposure to water. You want to drink a LOT of water. Dehydration is dangerous for all of your organs and your skin is no exception.
Moisturize, Moisturize, Moisturize
After showering or bathing, apply your moisturizer just as soon as your skin is dry. Letting your skin air dry or tapping with a towel will allow more moisture to remain on your skin. A good moisturizer will seal it in.
Look for Safe Natural Moisturizers
When choosing products for dry skin, look for botanical skin care products with some of the following ingredients: Shea butter, Tea Tree Oil, Aloe, Jojoba, Sunflower Oil, Almond Oil, Olive Oil, Coconut Oil, Apple Cider Vinegar, Raw Honey, Avocado, Buttermilk, Glycerin, Lanolin, Castor Oil, Kakadu Plum Extract, Sandalwood Seed Oil, Lemon Myrtle Oil, Safflower Oil, Lavender Oil, and many other essential oils. These pure, natural and safe ingredients are nature’s way to protect your skin without using harmful, potentially toxic, synthetic ingredients. In particular, botanical skin care ingredients from Outback Australia are particularly useful. These ancient native plants have evolved in a dry, sun driven environment over eons and have adapted natural bio-active agents that are awesome for dry skin.
Protect Hands from Drying Agents
Avoid hot air hand dryers and hand sanitizers with alcohol. Watch out for any hand creams or so called moisturizers that contains alcohols, especially the harsh kind. You can treat your hands to intensive moisturizing by applying a thick hand and body lotion that will soften and hydrate using botanical based ingredients.
There are lots of things that can create dry skin other than dry cold air. Medical conditions such as diabetes, or hormonal changes, hyperthyroidism, kidney disease, Vitamin A deficiency for example. Some prescription medications can have an adverse effect on our skin condition, as well as our genetic predisposition and food allergies. Then there are the obvious causes such as excessive sun exposure which can turn your skin leathery over time.
Scrutinize Your Skin Care Products
Moisturizing cleansing creams and body washes without harsh ingredients are your best bets. If they are scented, make sure the fragrance comes from botanical oils or plant extracts. Avoid products with artificial fragrances which can contain up to two hundred different chemicals, many of which are drying and toxic. Manufacturers aren't required to disclose the chemicals used to scent their products. Consequently, products that don't report any harmful ingredients may well contain them if they list "fragrance" on the ingredient label.
We find that many women who switch over to our products complain that their previous skin care products actually seemed to dry their skin more. This is very common and is caused by the alcohols used (which are astringents, meaning they suck moisture out of your skin, which is a little counter-productive for a moisturizer) and synthetic ingredients which many skin types do not like at all. If you discover that your current products are making your skin dull and parched, dry and flaky, then it's time to find safe and effective alternatives based on botanical ingredients. And don’t you get tired of spending hard earned money on stuff that doesn't work!
When scouring labels for drying ingredients, don't forget acne creams. Acne treatments with benzoyl peroxide are designed to remove oil from the skin, which can cause the surrounding skin to flake and itch.
Unfortunately, aging makes skin more prone to dryness because of a natural reduction in collagen. Anti-aging products that stimulate collagen and elastin production can help. These are the body's natural defense chemicals that keep your skin tight, elastic, smooth and soft. Nature has provided many wonderful compounds found in our products that can restore the natural levels in your skin. Keeping your skin moist, hydrated and looking fabulous right through the tough winter months.
You might like to try Australiana Botanicals line of luxury skin care products. They are 100% botanical based with no harmful ingredients. The divine fragrances come from the super fruits and essential oils we use. Nothing artificial or synthetic here! Quite unique in their design they include natural, botanical ingredients that have only recently been discovered by western science as being off the charts with vitamins, anti-oxidants, minerals, anti-bacterials, anti-inflammatory agents and active nutrients that are highly beneficial to skin health and anti-aging. With the generous, no risk, return policy trying them is such a "no brainer" you should order some today.
