It is that time of year again when many people living above the tropics experience dry, dehydrated, cracked, and/or flaky skin.
Here’s a few tips to keep your skin hydrated and looking healthy all day without any effort!
Avoid Gatorade, Propel, Vitamin Water and every other fad drink that claims to hydrate.
The added ingredients and coloring are pure toxins.
Hydrating properly will cure dehydrated skin, which is often confused with dry skin since they are similar in appearance.
PROPER HYDRATION
What does that mean? Every person is different, so that means there is not one standard for all. Elevation, temperature, humidity, exercise, eating habit, and a persons system all impact an individuals specific needs.
-Add a pinch of Redmond Real Salt or Himalayan Sea salt to your water. Be careful, too much salt and you will create a state of hypernutremia and become dehydrated. The necessary electrolytes that your body needs to absorb more water is naturally occurring in those salts.
-Most people need more than 64 oz of fluids. That number was derived off hand without any science behind it. Similar to the way a persons max heart rate is derived using 220 minus the age of the person. That formula was based on 6 people and has no scientific credibility, but somehow became the standard. The amount of fluids you need to intake changes constantly. Doing the pinch test of skin on the back of your hand is a good way to tell if you are properly hydrated, or need more fluid. Learn more about proper hydration and the pinch test here.
-Eat your water. The water molecules are slightly different, we will not go into all the reasons why in this blog, but there are a few things that make the water easier for your body to absorb. One of the reasons eating your water via fruits and veggies is far more hydrating is because your body is able to absorb it more efficiently due to the natural electrolytes found in the fruit or veggie. Eating your rainbow ensures you are getting a variety of those necessary electrolytes and minerals needed in order for your body to receive the greatest benefit.
STOP EXFOLIATING
Do not use modern day conventional practices to exfoliate your skin. This extra layer is a little added protection for the new skin cells underneath. Removing the old layer too soon exposes skin cells that are not quite ready for harsh environmental exposure and will do more damage and will make your skin look worse and aged. This is a vicious cycle too many people are in.
If you feel you must damage your skin so you can look a little more youthful for a few hours, there is a healthy alternative that will actually benefit and promote healthy skin keeping it looking younger for longer.
Soak in a Dead Sea salt bath while scooping water every few minutes onto your face. Read more here for the natural and healthy exfoliating properties of the Dead Sea.
Do not create a scrub using salt and oil.
This will damage your skin by creating micro abrasions that are harmful and may allow bacteria and viruses in. Your immune system is already on overload this time of year, do not give your body something else to fight off.
Keep your skin barrier healthy and those new cells protected from the elements with Defense by Nature’sRepair.
Using Nature’sRepair products consistently will heal and repair your skin naturally. This is not an overnight process, but the results last. The more you use Nature’sRepair along with the tips we give in our blog, will have you using less products while saving you time and money.
Keep your skin barrier protected
Using Defense, Nourish or Soft will keep hydration and moisture (natural skin oils) locked in while providing natural protection from the elements. Using these products daily will prevent your skin from becoming dry and dehydrated. These three winter products are effective and efficient at giving your skin the necessary nutrition it needs to keep your skin barrier strong, protected and healthy. The need to apply conventional lotion or cream ten times a day will be a thing of the past. Nature’sRepair keeps you looking young and beautiful all day!
Cover up in the cold
Covering your hands and bundling up while outside keeps your body warm. This helps with normal blood flow and body function. This in turn keeps the normal distribution of fluids regulated. Covering up also does not expose the skin to the hydration sucking atmosphere and weather that also loves to wick away moisture.
Why is soft bamboo bad?
Bamboo as a plant is very sustainable and easy to grow with organic practices. Bamboo is a hardwood. The nasty chemicals REQUIRED to make bamboo soft are terrifyingly horrible for the environment and EXTREMELY toxic. But most people are not ready for that conversation, so we will hold off for now. Feel free to research that on your own in the meantime!
Nourish is excellent when it comes to preventing sore noses from too much nose blowing. Simply apply generously around the nose area a few times a day as necessary. The natural oils will keep your skin protected without causing pimples.
Avoid using tissues with oil for added softness. The ingredients are unhealthy and create an uncomfortable feeling after building up on the skin. If you are looking for a soft tissue without oils added, use bamboo. Although soft bamboo products are hazardous to the environment, they are all the rage in paper and textile products.
So there you have it! Easy care for beautiful skin all winter with little to no effort. The closer you stay to nature, the healthier you will radiate inside and out.