#1 - Got essential fatty acids?
Good essential fatty acids are quite ESSENTIAL for healthy skin. They provide the necessary biological ingredients to form healthy skin cells which in turn provide an optimal outside barrier for protection against losing your internal hydration. If your nails are thin or brittle and you have dry skin or scalp this may be a sign you are deficient in EFAs. The two essential fatty acids, linolenic and linoleic acid, cannot be synthesized by the body and must be obtained from other sources. The best food sources are wild salmon, roasted chia seeds, flaxseed oils, camelina oil, and walnut oil. According to the Physicians Committe for Responsible Medicine the recommended amount for adequate omega-3 intake is 1.1 and 1.6 grams per day for women and men over the age of 14, respectively. (For more in-depth information see Physicians Committee
#2 - Doing great with your H20?
Many sources discuss the need for 6-8 eight ounce glasses of water daily, after all a person would not be able to survive long without it. It's quite necessary for skin since it provides the way in which the enzymatic reactions occur that develop normal skin cells and allow them to fall away adequately. There is a tendency to become more dependent on moisturizers for additional protection as our water deficiencies increase. Under normal conditions the skin requires very little additional moisturizer.
#3 - What will holiday goodies mean to my skin?
Sugar is the culprit for many bodily and skin reactions. Glycation is the cross-linking of protein molecules with sugar molecules. The new sugar proteins are called advanced glycation end products (AGEs). These end products are not recognize as normal, and the body will produce antibodies that in turn can cause inflammation in the skin. Once formed, AGEs tend to gravitate toward dermal collagen and elastin and are responsible for creating stiffness of the skin. Enjoying those holiday goodies in "just a taste" fashion will help reduce the amount of cumulative damage to your skin. (For more information on glycation following this link to - http://www.skininc.com/skinscience/physiology/230102271.html?utm_source=Most+Read&utm_medium=website&utm_campaign=Most+Read
#4 - What's the best skincare routine for winter?
I guess we all know that protection is the key. Increasing water intake/EFA's and reducing sugar intake as noted above will assist you in producing normal skin cells, which provide a natural protective barrier for your skin. Physical barriers such as lip balms, lipid based moisturizers, and protective clothing shelter your skin against the changes in cold temperatures.
The masque application is perhaps the most overlooked skincare routine. Working a hydrating masque or lipid based (avocado) masque into your weekly routine can greatly reduce the risk of moisture loss leading to chapping and flaking skin. Try putting on a masque, fix yourself a warm beverage, sip and enjoy, remove masque, and your done!
Moisturizers are a greater need as the indoor heaters/outside barometric changes tends to pull the moisture from our bodies. Check ingredients for comedone causing ingredients or hazardous chemicals though, or better yet choose a product line with little to no preservatives and naturally occurring lipids to enhance the skin barrier components.