Good Evening, subscribers, and Happy New Year!
Are you still enjoying the winter weather, or have you already had enough?  I'm kind of longing for the tropics these days myself, but we all know there is still plenty of cold weather still to come. 
Below is an article on caring for your skin that I think you might find helpful. 
Also, I want to remind you ladies that the spring session of my women's wellness program, Bona Dea Wellness Journey for Women, will begin in February.  Let me know if you would like to know more about this special 12 week program. 
Have a blessed night,
Marie

Winter Skin Tips

Winter certainly blew in to the Tri-Cities quicker and harder than it has in many years.  Weeks of cold, icy weather outside and dry heat inside are especially hard on our skin, nails, and hair. 
 
I was prompted to address winter skin health by several readers, and must confess that the effects of harsh weather on my skin are no longer high on my radar.  I haven’t really experienced dry or chapped skin in at least ten years, and it isn’t because I inherited my mother’s wonderful skin (that blessing went to my daughters.). I simply figured out that less is more and that natural choices in personal care products can make a huge difference.
 
Of course, other things are important, as well, including eating right, drinking enough water, getting enough sleep, and avoiding behaviors like smoking that are known to impact skin texture, moisture, and resiliency.
 
Although this article focuses on skin health, what is helpful for skin is also beneficial for hair and nails, due to their similar cellular makeup and function. 
Skin is actually our largest organ and may make up 15-20% of our total body weight.  It is multilayered and contains collagen for structure, melanin for color and UVA protection, and keratin for protection and waterproofing.  Skin protects our interior, helps us regulate temperature, and has critical sensory functions. Hair and nails are nothing more than specialized epidermal cells with higher keratin content. 
 
Remember that any product you put on your body, ends up in your body.
Go to www.cosmeticsdatabase.com to find out what your favorite products contain. Don’t assume that baby products, pharmaceuticals, or even natural products are free of irritants.  Find out what’s in them!
 
Avoid  petroleum based products (mineral oil, petrolatum) that block pores and dry the skin (and may be toxic innately or due to contaminates like dioxane).  You may feel “moisturized”, and petroleum can certainly seal in the skin’s moisture, but ultimately, the more you use these products, the dryer your skin will be. This is especially true for lip balms. From a business point of view, this is great—the more you use, the more you require.  Need I say more?
 
Choose organic or truly natural products. I make my own luscious body creams from coconut oil, cocoa butter, and other natural ingredients.  My clients love them and many begin making their own. For those without time or inclination, there are many organic & natural lines to choose from. Look for coconut oil, cocoa butter, olive oil, shea butter, beeswax, or jojoba oil as key ingredients for maximum moisturizing and protection.
And here is my best kept secret: raw, organic coconut oil (the same one sold for cooking) is the perfect whole body moisturizer for the entire family—on lips, hands, feet, body, privates, etc. It will be absorbed and won’t leave skin feeling greasy. It will be hard or liquid depending on ambient temperature but liquefies fairly quickly in your hands. As a bonus, it has natural antimicrobial properties.
Gradually, as your own body oils normalize, you will need less of the natural products so not only will you spend less, your skin will be healthier.
 
Avoid Sodium Lauryl/Laureth Sulfate (SLS), a foaming agent found in dozens of products: clothes detergents, soaps, bubble baths, shampoos, and toothpastes.  It was originally developed as an engine degreaser and even small amounts can strip skin of natural moisture. Use the mildest, most natural products you can find, and don’t worry that they don’t foam up—foam is primarily a marketing tool, it doesn't really clean any better.
 
Many people find that they no longer have cold sores or chapped lips when they switch to toothpastes free of SLS.  (At my last dental check-up, my hygienist asked me what toothpaste I had switched to because my teeth and gums were significantly improved. She was amused when I told her all I’ve used for nearly 2 years has been coconut oil with baking soda & sea salt, followed by a quick rinse of Young Living Oils Thieves Mouthwash.)
 
Bubble baths are an often overlooked cause of urinary tract infections and irritation, especially in small children. Make them rare treats.
 
There are many pure olive oil based castile soaps in both liquid and bars for the most sensitive skin, and some of my more sensitive clients even use them as shampoos. Dr. Bronner’s Magic Soaps are available in many area stores.
 
Beware of alcohols, parabens and ureas in your products.  These are known irritants and may even have carcinogenic effects. Know too, that corticosteroid creams can be short term friendly and long term harmful because the cause the skin layers to become thinner, potentially creating permanently thinner, drier, and more sensitive skin.
 
Change your bathing habits. Soaping up under hot water every day is a sure recipe for dry and damaged skin.  I am not advocating acceptance of body odor; most of us simply do not need to scrub every inch of our bodies every day, especially during the winter.  Small children and older adults have particularly sensitive skin and are less likely to need daily full body baths. Soap up only the areas that really need it, using warm (not hot) or cool water to wash & rinse.  Consider alternating a full bath/shower every other day with a sponge bath for strategic areas on the non-bathing days.  Hand held showers are perfect for spot bathing and hair washing.
 
Avoid overheating your home and use humidifiers whenever possible.  Your skin, sinuses, and lungs will thank you. Average winter home humidity levels are drier than a desert--no joke. 
Apply natural moisturizers to damp skin to maximize the benefits, but be sure to dry exposed areas like hands before going out.  Wear appropriate clothing on cold, windy days.
 
Last, don’t lick your lips!  The enzymes in saliva will literally eat holes in damaged skin. Cocoa butter based balms are usually best--apply before going out and as needed. Lysine based balms can help if you have lots of problems with cold sores.
 
Be consistent about caring for your skin. One day you’ll realize you no longer have dry itchy skin, and don’t have to carry lip balm in every pocket.