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Flaky is great-for a pie. With cold, windy weather outside and dry, forced air heating inside, everybody experiences a little dry skin now and then.

I remember growing up in Montreal, and, as early as the age of three, scratching the inside creases of my elbows and knees until they bled. In high school, one pinky finger would become dry and shriveled to the point where it would crack and bleed. I suffered from severe eczema and dry, weathered skin, and I had hardly reached puberty! Over the years I learned that stress, diet, lifestyle and disease are also major factors in whether we have a radiant glow, a dull finish or shiny, oily blotches.

The Stress Factor

Stress is a growing modern dilemma and can cause outbreaks of dermatitis, eczema, acne and more. Many people try to squeeze 25 hours of life into a 24-hour day. If your health is poor, your skin will show it. We can’t always remove stress and anxiety from our lives, but we can try to manage them. Proper rest, relaxation and exercise are all ways of helping us handle stress. It is important to reduce stress and get proper exercise for oily skin sufferers as well.

The Food Factor

Many people suffering from dry skin and rashes often have a sensitive digestive system. Eating foods rich in minerals and vitamins can help. A warm bowl of soup made with plenty of leeks, onions, sweet potatoes, celery and carrots is great for cleansing the blood and adding liquids to your diet, which in turn helps all skin conditions. Other good skin foods are lettuce, cucumber, artichoke, watercress, nuts–and, of course, plenty of clean, pure water.

If you have the tendency to snack, keep away from junk food. Try snacking on dried fruit, almonds (high in magnesium), pumpkin seeds (high in zinc), walnuts and sunflower seeds or carrot and celery sticks.

Coffee and alcohol can dehydrate you, leaving skin tight and dry. Try soothing herbal teas such as melissa (lemon balm) or chamomile. The chamomile tea bag is also an instant poultice for scrapes and rashes.

The Disease Factor

Disease can also play havoc on the skin. One of the better known symptoms of hepatitis is jaundice (yellow tinge to the skin). Cancer patients may experience very sensitive skin, dark circles under the eyes, uneven skin tone and lesions. Remember to use a very light touch when cleansing or applying moisturizers.

Skin problems, oily or dry, may be a direct result of a liver problem. Lisa Bloomer and Lisa Doran, naturopathic doctors at the Barefoot Doctor Naturopathic Clinic in Whitby, Ont., recommend salads with dandelion greens as well as increasing your water intake. For exercise, they recommend rebounding on a small trampoline, which gets the lymph flowing and removes toxins.

Environmental Toxins

Moisturizers and lotions can help our skin stay soft and young looking and protect us from harsh environmental elements, but read the labels. Avoid any products containing chemicals such as propylene glycol, which gives you that silky feeling but can cause kidney and liver damage. Sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS), a degreaser, and sodium laureth sulfate (SLES), the alcohol form of SLS, are both surfactant chemicals connected to allergic reactions, hair and vision loss and certain cancers. Other ingredients to be aware of are phenol carbolic acid and lauramide DEA (used to thicken and create lather). Lanolin is widely used and effective in moisturizers; however, it is derived from sheep’s wool, and some people experience allergic reactions. Lanolin-containing products may also harbour pesticides.

Easy Does It

Many people with oily skin scrub too vigorously when they wash their faces and use highly astringent cleansers three or more times a day. Instead, use a gentle cleanser in the morning and evening. Rub gently to avoid overstimulating oil glands that are already producing excessive oils. If you want to freshen up mid-afternoon, splash tepid water on your face, pat dry and use a natural skin freshener (see sidebar).

A nice hot bath sounds great on a cold snowy evening, but if you suffer from any dry skin maladies, limit your soak to 10 minutes and keep the water temperature warm, not hot. Add a little baking soda to soften your bath water and help soothe itchy skin. Dab (don’t rub!) your skin dry, and gently massage oil into damp skin.

A number of commercial oils and moisturizers contain heavy oils that can attract and trap toxins and dirt. Sesame oil is a light, absorbent oil that is great for sensitive skin and contains no chemicals or perfumes. If you prefer something with scent, mix one-quarter cup (60 ml) of carrier oil (almond and olive are a good combination) along with a few drops of camomile, bergamot or lavender essential oils. Not only do they help to balance and moisturize your skin, but they are so relaxing, they will ensure your journey to la-la land will be quick and restful-another important factor to healthy skin. Know your sensitivities when using these oils, and note that essential oils should never be taken internally or used when pregnant or nursing.

Your skin is a reflection of your health. If you eat properly, limit stress, get proper exercise and rest, your whole body, including your skin, will thank you by working better, feeling better and looking better.

Natural Skin Refreshener

2 oz (57 g) fresh, washed mint
4-7 oz (113-198 g) fresh or frozen raspberries
2 cups (500 mL) cider vinegar
5 drops tea tree oil

Combine mint, raspberries and vinegar and put the mixture in a dark glass bottle. Shake to mix every two or three days for 10 days. Then add tea tree oil to add antiseptic properties and help speed up the healing of blemishes.

Nancy Rogers is a freelance writer with a keen interest in natural and alternative health issues. She lives in Brooklin, ON.

Source: alive #231, January 2002