Feeling cut and dried?

By Cavanaugh Greenwood
THE JOPLIN GLOBE (JOPLIN, Mo.)

JOPLIN, Mo. January 17, 2008 05:52 pm

— This time of the year can be very bad for your skin.
The winter air can cause your skin to dry and become irritated too easily. However, there are many ways to prevent dry skin from becoming worse by using all-natural remedies.
Diane Sneed, with Joplin’s Fox Farm Whole Food, offered some tips on how to prevent dry skin during the wintery weather.

Oil and water
“Dry skin comes from the air being so cold and dry this time of the year,” Sneed said. “You have to make sure that you have good oils in your body to help fight off that dry skin. Fish oil and flaxseed oil are the best ones to use.”
When cooking, add olive or walnut oil to your dishes. Eating with these oils will provide the nutrients your body needs to fight off dry skin.
“Add these all-natural, pure oils to your favorite salads,” Sneed said. “Cooking with them will benefit the whole family. It is also very inexpensive.”
She said she also recommends that people drink plenty of water. The water helps moisturize skin to keep it from becoming too dry.
“Our body is just like an automobile. It runs on water, too,” Sneed said.
She said that a healthy water intake and good oils can help prevent dry skin from leading to more serious conditions.

Pure oils
Don’t count on lotions or moisturizers to always provide a quick fix when your skin dries out, Sneed said.
Chemicals found in many different oils and lotions can be harmful to your skin, she said. The chemicals can severely dry out your skin even more than it already is, and it can take much more time to smooth it out again.
“You have to keep in consideration that all of those chemicals in certain lotions and oils have to be processed by your liver,” Sneed said. “It can be very unhealthy for your body, so I recommend you use good quality, pure oils and creams for your skin.”

Chapped lips
If you have chapped lips, look for non-petroleum-based chapsticks.
“A lot of our Chapsticks are petroleum based and come from our oil companies. Those chemicals always dry the lips out even more and they never heal,” Sneed said. “Look for all-natural, non-oil-based Chapsticks to get rid of your dry lips.”
Sneed said that if your skin continues to dry out and the irritation worsens, see a doctor.
“If you have tried everything and your skin isn’t getting any better, I suggest a scheduled checkup with your doctor,” she said.

More tips
The Web site SkinCarePhysicians.com offers a number of tips to make your skin more comfortable during winter or any other time the air is dry.
Moisturize frequently: A moisturizer will offer more protection against dry skin if it is applied frequently.
Use a humidifier: With the heat on and windows closed, the air inside the house can make dry and itchy skin even worse. Place two or three small humidifiers around the home to place some moisture in the air.
Use sunscreen: The sun’s reflective power is just as great during the winter, especially when there’s snow on the ground. There are a number of products on the market that combine moisturizing cream with sunscreen.
Wear gloves: Keep your hands warm and protected from the cold air and low humidity, and pick a material that doesn’t irritate your skin. Also, if your clothes or shoes get wet, take them off quickly. The wet clothing can cause a flare-up if it irritates your skin.

Cavanaugh Greenwood writes for The Joplin (Mo.) Globe.

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