The answer is not just simply to lather on more moisturizer,
MOISTURIZERS AND OTHER SKIN COMFORT TIPS
although moisturizers have their place. In order to create
You don’t have to invest in expensive moisturizers to help
optimal skin, you need to keep hydrating and moisturizing
remedy dry, itchy winter skin. Your corner pharmacy likely
from the inside out, which can do a lot to keep your skin
has a good stock of different brands of inexpensive skin
comfortable and elastic during cold winter months.

moisturizers you can use on your entire body. Here’s what
Here’s how:
to look for:
1. Omega-3 Fats: Omega-3 fats are excellent for overall cardiac
1. Oil-based Products: Look for a primarily oil-based product
skin woes as well? Omega-3’s can restore significant oil and
in spring and summer months. Don’t forget the old staples of
walnuts and flaxseed. You can also take a daily supplement of
“beauty products” marketed for dry skin.

and joint health, but did you know that they could also zap dry
for winter use as opposed to water based, which work better
comfort to the skin. Good food sources are salmon, sardines,
baby oil or baby lotion. These work as well as more expensive
1,000 to 3,000 milligrams.

2. Water: Our bodies need a constant supply of fresh water to
stay well hydrated and support all of our organs, especially
our skin. Internal dehydration is one of the main causes of dry
skin, so make sure you are drinking the right amount of water.

In general, minimum intake should be 1 gallon of water per
day. Some researchers recommend more if you are sweat-
ing from exercise or other conditions; 91 ounces per day for
women and 107 ounces for men.

3. Vitamin C: Vitamin C is a “skin health” vitamin. It helps
build collagen in the skin that keeps the skin tight yet elastic.

Good sources are citrus fruits, but you should also include a
high-potency Vitamin C supplement of about 1,000 to 2,000
milligrams a day.

4. Vitamin A: Vitamin A deficiency can result in dry skin,
especially in winter. Make sure you are getting enough beta
carotene (the precursor from which your body makes its own
Vitamin A) in yellow vegetables and fruits such as squash, can-
taloupe and carrots. Make sure your daily supplement contains
beta carotene as well.

5. Vitamin D: This amazing workhorse vitamin does a lot for
optimal health. It also helps to create healthy skin and prevent
and cure dry skin, even psoriasis. Especially in the winter
months, we do not get enough sunlight exposure to give us ad-
equate Vitamin D. If you have chronic dry skin that gets worse
2. Moisture Attractors: If you want to invest in some of the
more high-end products, look for ones that contain “humec-
tants” like sorbital, alpha-hydroxy acids or glycerine that help
keep moisture in the skin. Make your winter soap one with
olive oil or glycerine that won’t dry it.

3. Kitchen/Medicine Chest Remedies: You can make your
own inexpensive, excellent skin moisturizers using a few
natural products you may already have in your kitchen or
bathroom cabinet. Some of my favorites are extra virgin olive
oil, sunflower oil, mineral oil and glycerine. You may want to
refrigerate a bit of the oil for your specific skin use, which not
only helps keep the oils fresh, but the coolness also feels great
on your skin.

4. Lukewarm Bath: Though a hot bath may sound good after
being out in the cold, a lukewarm water bath is better for your
skin. Adding some baby oil and/or colloidal oatmeal (available
at most pharmacies) or glycerine to it can also help overly dry
skin. Use a moisturizer after your bath to lock water against
the skin.

5. Add a Humidifier: If your furnace is compatible, add on
a humidifier. It’s well worth the extra expense to keep your
home comfortable with a good moisture level. Or, you can
place small electric humidifiers throughout your house. It’s
important to increase the comfort levels in bedrooms and
living rooms — the places you spend the most time.

in winter, you might be deficient in Vitamin D. It also helps
Even though dry, itchy, chapped skin can be uncomfortable,
Vitamin D deficiency can be determined by a simple blood test.

inexpensive remedies, you’ll find your winter skin becomes a
process Vitamin A and C, the other skin health vitamins. A
take heart. You can banish winter skin! With these simple and
Meanwhile, a minimum of 1,000-2,000 milligrams of Vitamin
whole lot easier to live in.

drink D-fortified dairy products, you may need even more (up
Dr. Jay Brachfeld, M.D., is a board certified dermatologist. He received
his medical degree from University at Buffalo, School of Medicine and
Biomedical Sciences and has been in practice for more than 20 years.

D3 a day will remedy this. If you are over age 50, and do not
to 5,000 milligrams a day).

34 January 2017 washingtonFAMILY.com