DIY DRY SKIN REMEMDIES

DIY DRY SKIN REMEMDIES

And it's Autumn once again.  In Portland we are lucky to experience Autumn to it's fullest.  From bright and sunny days casting rays of gold, red and orange through the tree tops, to long and stormy nights filling the darkness with rumbling thunder and whipping wind.

And, not to mention, the dry, flakey, crusty, scaley, rough and bumpy skin that goes along with it...

Partly due to the changing elements and partly due to an increased sensitivity within our immune systems reacting to irritants and allergens.

But you can minimize the toll the next few months will take on your skin by preparing now. From recommended over-the-counter products, to my very own Do-It-Yourself techniques (my prefered way of handling such situations for the outcome and cost-effectiveness), here's an action plan to keep you comfortable and well-lubricated this season:

Bathe briefly

When it's cold outside, some of us prolong our hot showers and baths, which is a recipe for dry, irritated skin.  Instead, try:

1. Keeping the shower as brief as possible and use lukewarm, not hot, water.
2. Switching to less aggressive, moisture-rich soaps made for sensitive skin.
3. Gently patting yourself dry to avoid traumatizing or overdrying the skin.
4. Applying moisturizer while your skin is still slightly damp.

Therapeutic baths, such as oatmeal baths or sea salt baths, may help some patients, but they tend to take time, and some salt treatments can be drying, so it’s important to moisturize afterward.

DIY hint:
Before bathing I like to do a full-body dry-brushing, or, in Ayuerveda "vashesh."  In addition to your skin is your body's largest organ, it is also responsible for one-quarter of your body's detoxification.  Dry brushing will slough off dry, dead skin cells and all the toxins we store there.

Moisturize, moisturize

Whether you have eczema, psoriasis, or severe dry skin (known as xerosis), you need to replace any moisture the dry air steals away.

Products like Eucerin and Cetaphi are good over-the-counter moisturizersl. They're inexpensive and work well.

DIY hint:
Mix together in a plastic bottle: 1 part jojoba oil, 1 part almond and/or grapeseed oil, and 1 part Arnica pre-mixed with a nut oil (I get mine at New Seasons Market) and apply to damp skin right after bathing.  I also sometimes blend the oil mixture along with a cocoa or shea butter lotion in the palm of my hand for easier application.  Works especially well if you can plan on spending the next hour in a cozy, fleecey robe in order to let the oils fully absorb into your skin (they will continue absorbing through different layers of tissue for up to 24 hours!).

Get comfortable

Dress for less irritation
If your skin does flare up, choose soft, breathable fabrics, like cotton, instead of itchy woolens or polyester. Loose-fitting clothing will also help to keep your skin from chafing and becoming irritated by perspiration.

Change the air around you
Use a humidifier to increase moisture levels in the home. Experts recommend keeping the humidity level between 30% and 50% (which you can measure with a hygrometer).

Stay healthy

Because psoriasis and eczema involve immune system responses, experts believe that many bacterial, viral, or fungal infections can make them worse.

Follow basic steos to keep yourself healthy, like increasing omega 3 fatty acids found salmon and washing your hands frequently, getting good sleep and exercising.

DIY hint:
Increase your "internal lubricants" or healthy fats found in foods such as raw almonds, walnuts, salmon and sardines, as well as Pharmax brand cod liver oil (purchase it locally and conveniently here).  Not only hydrate from the inside out, but provide necessary anti-oxidants and immune defense.

Relieve stress

Winter means the holidays and the stress that they inevitably bring.  Emotional stress, being under pressure, and trying to get things done before the holidays certainly can trigger psoriasis and, to a lesser degree, eczema.

A 2001 report in Archives of Dermatology measured stress levels and water loss in students without any skin disease after winter vacation, during final exams, and during spring break. The researchers found that during periods of stress, the skin's ability to retain water was reduced.

Look for ways - such as exercise, meditation, yoga, or biofeedback—to relieve holiday-related stress.

Watch your weight

From that first bite of Thanksgiving turkey to the last glass of Champagne on New Year’s Eve, the holidays are a weight-gain minefield.

But psoriasis patients should tread carefully. There isn't conclusive research linking diet and psoriasis, but fasting periods, low-energy diets, and vegetarian diets improved psoriasis in some studies. And weight gain in general can worsen the condition.

Phototherapy for psoriasis

Winter also brings a decrease in the amount of sun exposure—not a good thing since sunlight can help relieve psoriasis. In fact, 60% of psoriasis patients reported improvement with sunlight in a 2004 Clinical and Experimental Dermatology study.

First, people wear garments that cover the skin and have a tendency to stay indoors. Second, the potency of ultraviolet light is lessened in the wintertime.

So phototherapy (in which patients are exposed to UVB or UVA rays) makes sense for patients who are responsive to UV light.  It is covered by many insurance policies.

The best products to minimize psoriasis

A good skin- and hair-care routine can improve—though not cure—your dry skin. You don't need to stay away from any specific ingredients, but you should minimize the use of things that dry out the skin too much, like alcohol.

After cleansing, your goal should be to keep your skin moisturized, which will reduce redness and allow it to heal. On the scalp, special treatment shampoos can help clear lesions.

DIY hint:
Using essential oils for my face and body is a must for healthy, hydrated skin. For my face,  I will mix a few drops of Aveda's Balancing Infusion in with my moisturizer.  And mix a spray bottle with a mixture of filtered water, witch hazel and some of the following essentials I've listed below.  For body hydration, I will mix these same essential oils in with my body oil and/or body lotion:

Bergamont, Chamomile, Carrot Seed, Clary-Sage, Geranium, Hyssop, Lavender, Palma Rosa, Patchouli, Sandalwood, Juniper, and Rosemary.

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