We’ve all had it at some point; dry, flaky, itchy skin. As we age, this seems to become a more frequent problem. Our first inclination is to reach for a bottle of lotion, any lotion, and slather it on, but as some of us already know, this is usually a temporary fix.{{more}}
So what do we do? First thing to do is start from the inside. Increasing certain foods will help bring back suppleness and increase moisture. Starting with the oil you use for cooking, switching to coconut oil will improve your skin as well as quell those sugar cravings. In the warmer months we tend to drink more water, in the winter we tend to curl up with something warm like hot chocolate. Caffeine from chocolate, coffee and teas, can cause you to lose some of that needed water. Instead, switch to herbal infusions, or tisanes, especially those containing calendula’s natural healing properties.
Now what to do about those dry flakes? To improve overall skin tone and your health in general, dry brushing at least three times a week before showering is the first step. Once you are used to this, it should become part of your daily routine. Not only will this help to exfoliate dry skin, but it also helps the body rid itself of toxins by encouraging your lymphatic system to drain. Always use a good quality natural bristle brush, be sure it is completely dry, and always gently brush in the direction of your heart, which improves circulation. Shower with sulfate free products so as not to strip your skin of natural oils.
Follow your shower with a moisturizer, but read the label; the less ingredients the better. There are actually many ingredients found in moisturizers that cause skin dryness, believe it or not, which just causes you to use more, which ultimately doesn’t help at all. Instead, opt for natural oils such as sunflower, grape seed and olive. Shea butter, unrefined, is another wonderful choice for your skin and can be used, literally, from head to toe. Shea butter also stimulates collagen production, which we lose as we age. Shea will take a bit longer to soak in, and may leave a bit “floating” on the skin, so if you don’t like that feeling, slather it all over at night before bed and use something lighter, as sunflower or grape seed, after your morning shower. Applying oils to damp skin will help to keep the application a little “lighter” and easier to put on. So while your skin is still wet, spread it on and then pat dry.
Sabrina is co-owner with her husband, Ernie, of Sunflower Farm and Connecticut Natural Soapworks, a beekeeper, Reiki Master, and market master of the Milford Downtown Farmers’ Market. www.sunflowerfarm.com