Keeping hydrated with Natural Oils-

I wanted to begin with skin care as we all know how beautiful our skin looks at any age when it’s hydrated. Who doesn’t have issues with keeping their skin hydrated in the winter months?   I’ve tried numerous products and at the end of the day my skin feels and looks dry.  Everything I’ve read about skin care says to use products with more moisture retaining ingredients such as Lanolin and Paraffin.  Some of these products could make your skin feel luxurious, soft and full of life once you apply it but shortly thereafter you’re back to the drawing board because the product is either just sitting on top of the skin (later discussed), absorbed with no moisture benefit or looks like you never applied anything to your skin at all.

After doing some research and spending countless dollars on skin care products I had to identify what type of skin I had.  At this point after realizing I had a combination of skin types, I was able to begin selecting the best products and daily regimen for me.  My forehead and nose areas are oily and the rest of my face is extremely dry as is the rest of my body.  I look for products that don’t make my skin feel oily, greasy with very good absorption where I can layer with an occlusive (agents that physically prevent or retard water loss), sealing in that moisture.

It took months before I found that layering your products to protect your skin is just like you would do with your hair.  There are several steps we can take daily to help our skin retain moisture and not unintentionally strip it by:

• Avoiding extremely hot water on your face and when showering
• Avoid using  harsh soaps
• Use natural humectants with caution as they can pull water from the deeper layers

Depending on air humidity (good choose for those who suffer from Acne)

• Using a humidifier is helpful
• Seal in the moisture with an occlusive (prevents the loss of water from your skin)
• Drink lots of water and foods containing water

Laying your products gives you lots of options once you determine what types of products you can use.  If you don’t like the thick feeling of an occlusive to lock in the moisture or if you’re prone to blackheads or acne you can opt for a lighter weight moisturizer with natural oils such as green tea, jojoba or tea tree oil for sealing purposes.  At night while my body is resting I choose to use a spray mist with my daily moisturizer and then sealing it with one of my favorite natural oil recipes.  This regimen for me allows my skin to rejuvenate at night as I rest and feel moist and hydrated in the morning when I wake.

There were times when I wouldn’t have considered using natural or essential oils because I felt they were too oily, but after experimenting over the years I find that they work best for my skin type.  I use a regimen that is high in Omega – 3 fatty acids and Vitamin E.  In the Dermatology News by MDedge, Lily Talakoub, MD expressed that “Plant-based oils are filled with essential fatty acids, vitamins, and antioxidants that act to strengthen the skin’s protective barrier, prevent free radical damage, and increase skin elasticity.”  Naissan Wesley, MD also stated that “skin oils help to repair the skin barrier and train the skin to rebalance itself if over stripped from harsh cleansers or medications.”   You can read their article here for more professional information on natural oils and their benefits.

At this point in the article you can see that there are so many things you can do in protecting your skin and keeping it hydrated.  It comes down to understanding what your skin type is and what products would benefit you.  In a future post I will address some of the various oils and their benefits, so keep a look out.  Until then here’s to healthy hydrated skin!