Our skin is not only the largest organ of the body, it is also the most visible. Whether it’s for vanity or for health, many of us are seeking to improve its strength, quality & luster. As a reflection of our wellbeing, our skin serves as one of the greatest signposts of health.
By Anthia Koullouros.
Dry skin is one such common skin condition reflecting an array of imbalances. No matter how much we try to soothe it with topical solutions, relief through internal measures – addressing the underlying cause – will be the most effective in the long run. It can feel sore, rough and uncomfortable, as well as looking unsightly – flaky, gray, white, scaly, itchy and bleeding. Certainly a priority to address & heal!
As we unearth and tackle the deeper issue, this vital, living organ can begin to breathe, cleanse and regenerate naturally. It’s best to use natural products that work with, rather than against the skin. Some chemically laden beauty products can alter pH and disturb the natural microbial balance and oil production.
My top 5 skin commandments
Exfoliate & Regenerate – by dry brushing in circular motions with a natural bristle brush from your feet up, hands in, neck down, towards the heart. Do this before you shower. This not only exfoliates dead, dry skin but also stimulates nerve endings and encourages circulation and lymphatic flow.
Cleanse – with a natural fresh goat milk (rather then goat milk powder) or olive oil, organic based soap.
Nourish – with the closest thing to skin sebum – organic jojoba oil. Absorbs quickly, provides skin protection, keeps it supple and helps restore the skins’ regular pH level. Excellent for soothing inflamed skin.
Heal – with organic rose hip oil. Moisturising, emollient, occlusive, anti-inflammatory, high in omega-3 & omega-6 essential fatty acids & vitamin C. Olive oil and coconut oil also have healing properties and can be used in place of rose hip.
Protect – from natural, seasonal elements as well as artificial ones (such as air conditioning). Rug up when cold & protect from long exposure to the sun (making sure to get adequate sunlight for vitamin D).
5 causes & considerations for dry skin:
1. Vitamin & mineral deficiency: Lack of vitamin A causes the skin to become keratinized and scaly, suppressing mucus secretion. Zinc assists in the proper structure of proteins and cell membranes, improves wound healing, has anti-inflammatory effects, and protects against UV radiation. Vitamin C has been known for decades to play a crucial role in the regulation of the structural protein collagen, which is necessary for the extracellular stability of the skin. Rather than take synthetic sources of these, eat healthy, organic, whole food protein, carbohydrates and fat from both plant and animal sources. Grass fed meats, seafood, vegetables, fruit, some nuts and seeds, cultured dairy, quality salt and water.
2. Fat deficiency of both animal and plant fats: Eat grass fed animal fats from dairy, eggs and meat as well as unprocessed whole plant fats from olives, avocado, olive oil, coconut oil, activated or well prepared nuts. These contain whole fats, including saturated and monounsaturated as well as essential fats, omega-3 and fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E, and K2.
3. Too many processed fats: as found in polyunsaturated grains, seeds and nuts in the form of cooking oils, ground or roasted nuts. These include margarines, deep fried foods, cereals, breads & cakes. These foods are too high in omega-6 that opposes omega-3, promoting inflammation and displacing other essential fats and fat-soluble vitamins. Cooking fats at high temperatures also contributes to age related disease (toxic cooking by-products, aptly named AGE’s result).
4. Hormone imbalance: Day 1 of our menstrual cycle begins with a cooling, wet phase to produce fertile mucous, changing mid-cycle to more warming. The last phase leading up to a period usually presents with increased dryness in the body. Imbalances in oestrogen & progesterone can exacerbate these temperature extremes, affecting skin condition, thickness, wrinkle formation & moisture. Inadequate thyroid hormone production can make skin dry, coarse and thick. Address these imbalances & support the natural hormonal progression with your Naturopath.
5. Side effects of medications: Cholesterol-lowering drugs and the cholesterol-lowering supplement nicotinic acid (niacin) can cause dry skin as can drugs classified as ‘retinoids’ (prescribed for acne). Dry skin can also be a side effect of diuretics.
Despite the commonly held belief that skin conditions are entirely external, there are actually a myriad of internal forces influencing the health of our epidermis. Seeking out and addressing the root cause of skin imbalance will yield lasting, supple and glowing results. Look within for healthy skin!
Note: solutions for dry skin can also be the solution for dry mucous membranes of the eyes, mouth, nasal passages and genitourinary system.
By Anthia Koullouros
www.ovvioorganics.com.au
References and extra reading:
chriskresser.com
westonaprice.org
mercola.com
wikipedia.org/wiki/Advanced_glycation_end-product dermalinstitute.com
See Anthia Koullouros speak LIVE at Rescu. Me! The Ultimate Life Makeover Event
