Wellness Weekly 9: Skin Stuff

By Idy Perl

Welcome back to Wellness Weekly! The winter months tend to be tricky for those with skin, and it seems we may be overdoing some things while underdoing other, more important steps in our skincare. Read on to learn more!

Myth Buster

Myth: Drinking water will fix dry skin.

Truth: Although drinking enough water is imperative for body function, increasing water intake won’t magically cure dry skin. Dry skin is usually a problem caused by external factors such as humidity, harsh weather conditions, exposure to chemicals or irritants, excessive bathing, and more. That is why the winter months that bring harsh, cold winds and temperatures, long, hot showers and indoor heating, tend to dry out our skin more than usual.

Since its an external problem, dry skin needs to be solved with external solutions, such as moisturizers, lotion, and creams, which create a barrier to prevent water loss and lock in moisture.

 

Healthy Hack:

Running low on lip balms? No need to fret; just make your own!

Ingredients:

2 Tbsp body butter, such as shea or cocoa butter

2 Tbsp olive, coconut, jojoba or almond oil

2-3 tsp beeswax pellets

Optional: 5 drops of your favorite essential oil

Directions:

Place all ingredients (except for the essential oil) in a double boiler or a glass bowl in a pan of boiling water on the stovetop. Heat until all ingredients are melted, stirring often. Remove from heat, add optional essential oil. Using a towel to protect your hand, pour the mixture into lip balm tins or tubes (can be found on Amazon). Allow to set firmly and use as needed!

 

Wellness Wisdom:

Contrary to popular belief, the UV rays from the sun don’t disappear or weaken when the temperature is cold. In fact, snow can reflect up to 80% of UV radiation, which increases the risk of skin damage. Although we associate sunscreen with the summer, its important to use it all year round to protect skin from harmful rays.

 

Mind And Body Exercise:

Another way to improve your skin is actually to… exercise! Regular exercise has been shown to increase blood flow to the skin, which can improve skin moisture, structure, and rejuvenate its appearance.

 

Sharing Is Caring:

What’s your favorite skincare product that you recommend to anyone and everyone?