My Make-Up Style

Don't itch!

Your skin is one big body organ…  and indicator of your health.

Supplementation is very beneficial for the skin with fish oils to improve healthy skin texture, however, I am allergic to fish.  I may struggle  more than most with dry skin.  To compensate, I supplement myself with other Omega 3’s sources, I try to consume flax seed and walnuts and a quality consumable Aloe Vera drink daily.

Prior to recognizing there were other ways to supplement my diet, I visited my family physician.  He told me that there were several things contributing to my skin condition and un-affectionately called it “Winter Itch“!

1. I was taking too hot showers or baths.
2. I needed to run a humidifier during winter heating.
3. Using allergy or sinus medications were poorly treating my sinus situations because exacerbating the issue, I was not using a humidifier in my bedroom at night.
4. Avoid detergents with strong odors opting for clear or baby cleaning products and soaps.
5. And lastly, after bathing, apply a non fragrant lotion while your skin is moist to retain water locking in the moisture.

So to go into these items in a bit more detail…  1.  Yes, I hate not taking a pretty hot shower!  I can’t help it!  Nothing feels better than a hot shower or bath!  But, when you want relief reduce the shower temperature, what can you deal with?  Another shower or bath tip is removing the chlorine with a filter a very harsh chemical on the skin.  You really need to, not to mention chlorine in shower water is really tough on asthmatics, a current epidemic especially with our children.

2. A humidifier or at least a vaporizer in your bedrooms, do you have an in house humidity tester?  But let me also warn you!  To avoid growing bacteria’s and blasting them throughout your home, you must routinely (weekly) clean out these units with vinegar, soaking them and letting them dry out.  (I buy vinegar in the gallon size, it is a great disinfectant!)  To reduce the little white particles that will float and cover your woodwork, the are minerals from you water, you may want to purchase ones that filter, you might want to refer to  Consumer Reports who have some nice buying tips on their website.

3.  Medications, even the ‘over-the-counter’ meds can cause you trouble.  Refer to the fine print and educate yourself!  You have to do this because no one else will!  I like using a Neti pot, it certainly does help!

4.  When skin is becoming irritated, you can get into a vicious cycle making relief a more difficult balance.   Especially if you are sensitive (like me, the Queen!).  There is nothing more irritating than perfums or fragrances, the things manufacturers put into your products to cover up smelly ingredients.  Unfortunately not all products are very healthy either so lets make this simple.  I like to recommend something very natural.

I love coconut in all forms, the oil for cooking and my skin, the flour and the raw meat. LOVE, LOVE, LOve IT!

I like to use Coconut oil (food grade).  Coconut is quickly becoming one of the most useful products in my kitchen.  After I get out of the shower I let it melt in the palm of my hands and rub it all over.  It quickly moves into the skin and it is simple and pure.

Lastly, by no means do I want you to NOT go to the Doctor should your conditions worsen from an irritating mild case of itch.  I am trying to share with you common sense daily tips  but allow me to caution you, there can be many medical reasons for dry skin, so please don’t overlook the fact that you may need to see a Doctor.  Stay healthy and happy this 2010 while I will continue to commit to working hard to helping you be more beautiful too!