Sun, Snow and Sore Skin
Winter is often thought of as the worst time for damaged dry skin. Protecting your skin in the colder months is just as important as protecting it in the summer. There are steps you can take to prepare your skin for each season and restore or preserve your youthful glow.
Winter Can Be Worse Than Summer
For those in New England right now you are probably thinking that winter is worse than summer. The snow, ice, cold, and mixed-up weather makes it no fun at all. For those in the Northeastern U.S. though, winter can be fun. When the sun shines and it’s not terribly nippy there are snowmen to build, snowball fights and forts to pack, sledding, snowmobiling, and even ice-skating can make you thankful for winter. But whether the sun is shining or not you still run the risk of sunburn, wind burn, and cracked, dry, exposed skin. Many people may not realize that sunny wintery days can actually be worse for your skin than the sun in the summer. This is because the white snow-covered ground reflects the sun up into your face and eyes. You have to protect your eyes from the harsh rays in the winter even more than in the summer. The same goes for your skin! Sunburn is not just for Summer! You still need sunblock – think of how professional skiers will put zinc on their noses. You are vulnerable to skin cancer in any season! Your exposed skin is vulnerable to the dry cold air and the reflective rays of the sun.
Start On The Inside
I love living in the country. I live close enough to civilization that I can easily get what I need, yet far enough away that I don’t have to step out my front door onto a sidewalk. What I don’t like is my hard water. We have a well – which I love– that is full of ice cold hard water. Hard water is full of calcium deposits and other harsh minerals. The issue with hard water is that it makes it very difficult for soap to foam and very hard for it to rinse off. This means that we run the risk of not rinsing off properly and the soap residue can leave your hair dull and your scalp and skin itchy. But it’s also not that great to drink. The water is safe and tastes fine – but the hardness, level of calcium and minerals, leaves your skin dry and can mess with your pH levels. In order to really heal your skin, your largest organ, you need to start from the inside. Eating organic, chemical-free, toxic-free food is a great way to help your skin heal. You also may want to add things to your diet that have healing properties. Try these wonderful skin-loving products:
- Whole Wheat (if you aren’t gluten sensitive) loaded with vitamins A, D, E
- Oatmeal (eat and use ground up in a coffee grinder and added to a bath)
- Soy (find non-GMO!! It’s an antioxidant and natural emollient)
- Jojoba Oil
- Raw Organic Shea Butter (My little boy has very bad eczema in the winter and this clears it up within a day!)
Stay away from fragranced products, harsh soaps, and keep yourself chemical-free inside and out. Protect your skin and it will protect you for a lifetime!
Applications & Resources for Skin Care
- Check out WebMd for more on skin cancer risk in the Winter
- Go to the Skin Cancer Foundation for tips on protecting yourself all year
- Start here at Natural Health Magazine for prevention & healing from the inside
- Find out more at Good Housekeeping and keep your skin itch-free
