Dry Skin Woes
A lot of people suffer from the problem of dry skin at least at some point in their lives. Most of the people look for external solutions such as moisturizers, but there’s more to it. I often recommend fixing things internally, i.e. inside your body. That may sound like a mechanic or an engineer’s viewpoint, but it really isn’t. When I say “fix internally”, what I really mean is to fix your diet!
What’s the cause?
- Harsh weather, sun exposure, hot baths and showers, smoking
- Genetics
- Lack of EFA (Essential Fatty Acids) in your diet, or dehydration
- Hypothyroidism (less active thyroid)
- Any other illness such as diarrhea caused by intestinal parasites
- Chronic Stress
There so many possible reasons, but one thing that always help, upto some extent at least, is the introduction of more omega-3 fatty acids in your diet. I didn’t mentioned omega-6, because most of the world’s population already gets enough dose of omega-6.
What’s the remedy?
1 - Fix your diet
It isn’t really very simple as it sounds, but you can either use one of the following types of dietary supplementation or introduce more food with EFAs in your diet. (mentioned below)
- Flaxseed oil / Flaxseed oil capsules
- Cod Liver oil bottled /capsules (recommended)
Note: Please keep the dosage at adequate levels, as mentioned on the product label.
Or you can introduce more of these food choices in your diet: (from Wikipedia)
Some of the food sources of ω-3 and ω-6 fatty acids are fish and shellfish, flaxseed (linseed), hemp oil, soya oil, canola (rapeseed) oil, chia seeds, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, leafy vegetables, and walnuts.
If you aren’t already drinking enough water, then make sure you drink at least 10 glasses of water daily making it to 2.5 liters.
2 - Take less baths, and reduce usage of soap/detergents
If environment and weather is causing the problem for you, then it should be wise enough to take less or short-duration baths (especially hot tub baths), and reduce the usage of soap and detergents that can be harsh for your skin. As ironic as it may sound, but too much cleanliness can have a harmful effect on your skin by making it drier.
3 - Use oil based moisturizers
Usually, the first reaction to having dry skin is to use moisturizers. But keep in mind, that water or alcohol based moisturizers will do the opposite of what you were expecting, i.e. your skin will get more dry. Try using a good quality oil based moisturizer.
4 - Consult a doctor
When all else seems to be failing, there’s one right move to make, i.e. consult a doctor! You may be suffering from some kind of sickness which you probably weren’t aware of, and it’s better to get diagnosed by a good doctor.
Additional Reading about Essential Fatty Acids (EFAs)
Wikipedia Article on EFAs
Fats you need, Essential Fatty Acids
Are you or your family getting enough Omega-3?
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