A balance of both oil and moisture is very
important for healthy and attractive skin. Oil is secreted by the
sebaceous glands and lubricates the surface of the skin. Moisture is
the water present inside the skin cells, and comes to the cells
through the bloodstream. It is the water in the skin cells that keeps
them plumped-up, healthy, and youthful-looking. Oil and moisture work
together; there must be enough moisture in the skin cells, but there
must also be enough oil to act as a shield, preventing excessive
evaporation of moisture from the skin's top layers. There are actually
two types of dry skin: simple dry skin and complex dry skin. Simple
dry skin results from a lack of natural oils. The reasons for this
lack of oil vary. This condition most often affects women under the
age of thirty-five. Complex dry skin lacks both oil and moisture, and
is characterized by fine lines, brown spots, discolorations, enlarged
pores, and sagging skin. It is usually associated with aging. Dry skin
tends to be dull-looking, even scaly and flaky, and readily develops
wrinkles and fine lines. It usually feels "tight" and
uncomfortable after washing unless some type of moisturizer or skin
cream is applied. Chapping and cracking are signs of extremely dry,
dehydrated skin. Dry skin is most common on areas of the body that are
exposed to the elements, such as the face and hands, but it can be a
whole-body problem as well, especially in winter. It is probably
primarily a genetic condition, but it may be caused (or aggravated) by
a poor diet and by environmental factors such as exposure to
sun, wind, cold, chemicals, or cosmetics, or excessive bathing with
harsh soaps. Nutritional deficiencies, especially deficiencies of
vitamin A and the B vitamins, can also contribute to dry skin.
Fair-skinned people seem to be more likely than others to have dry
skin, especially as they age; most people's skin tends to become
thinner and drier as they get older. Many people have skin that is dry
in some areas and oily in others. In the classic case of
"combination skin," the skin on the forehead, nose, and chin
tends to be oily, while the skin on the rest of the face is dry.
Nutrient /
Supplement |
Importance
( 1 - 10 ) |
Helpful notes |
Essential
fatty acids |
9 |
These
help
to lubricate the skin and are needed for skin health and the
proper functioning of the body's nervous system. Good sources of
essential fatty acids include omega from fish, flax seed, and borage seed. |
Multi-vitamin
& Mineral supplement |
10 |
contains
B vitamins, zinc, vitamins E, A, and D and other supplements
needed for good skin healthcare. The nutrients found in a
daily supplement are needed for good general health and well
being. |
B
Vitamin complex |
10 |
the
B
vitamins are very important for both good circulation and healthy
skin. Deficiencies of vitamin
B6 has been linked to many skin problems. vitamin
B12 is needed for cell formation and cell longevity. |
Zinc |
8 |
very
often people with dermatitis are not getting
enough zinc. This mineral helps strengthen the immune system and
promotes healing. Often a multi-vitamin and mineral supplement can help. |
vitamin
E |
9 |
helps to relieve
dryness and itching of the skin, protects against free
radicals, and can minimize wrinkles. |
Myrrh resin |
8 |
promotes
healing and it works well with frankincense and aloe vera |
Dandelion |
9 |
herb that
helps with detoxifying the body and healing. |
Garlic |
8 |
good
general healing herb and it contains sulfur which helps to
keep the skin smooth and youthful. |
vitamin
A |
8 |
needed
for smooth skin and also helps prevent dryness. Dry skin
problems have been associated with lack of vitamin A in the
diet. |
vitamin
C |
7 |
needed
for collagen production and it helps to strengthen the
capillaries in the skin. |
Other Changes To Make
-
drink 6-8 glasses of steam distilled or
filtered water a day
-
eat 50% raw fruits and vegetables (organic is best)
-
nuts, seeds, and whole grains are good
-
juice is good (make your
own with a juice machine)
-
do not worry as much about calories as eating the right foods
-
carrot and celery sticks are good to use as a snack
-
a colon cleansing can be very helpful - (do several times each year)
-
do not drink coffee, alcohol, soda pop, other junk food drinks
-
do not eat processed foods white sugar, white flour, etc...
-
use stress relief like going for walks in the park
(or the 10/90 rule - see
Stress)
-
brown rice is good to eat
-
avoid red meat and animal fats
-
reduce dairy products cheese, milk, and others
-
fast a few days a month
-
get at least 8 hours of sleep
-
exercise light to moderate amounts
-
avoid artificial sweeteners like Aspartame and NutraSweet
-
do not smoke and avoid second hand smoke
-
do not skip meals - just eat better and not as much at each meal
-
do not chew gum - it can cause you to feel hungry
-
do not watch too much TV try reading a book or something else
|