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Keeping Your Skin Healthy

Seasonal Dehydrated Skin Winter months can often mean centrally heated home containing little moisture. To solve this problem, invest in a humidifier or even place bowls of water around your home. It doesn't take a lot to put moisture back into your environment, you simply have to remember to do it. The Benefits of Exercise on Your Skin Another benefit of exercise! Exercise brings more oxygen and nutrients to the skin so that it is firmer and becomes more nourished. It is also thought that exercise slows down aging. So move more, look younger!

Vitamin C and Your Skin Vitamin C is used in many skin care products because it helps in the formation of collagen (the skin's support fibres). How much, or possibly "if" it works, varies from person to person. However, many people report the texture of their skin does improve with Vitamin C. With many Vitamin C products you have to wait a long time to see improvement in your skin's texture. Apparently with Vitamin C you see results much more quickly. Winter Skin Tips Low temperature and humidity, indoor heating, dry recycled air and outdoor exposure can make skin lose its moist, healthy glow. If you have dry skin, consider changing your moisturizer to one that heightens moisturization - especially women who participate in winter sports or spend time with children outdoors. Skin really takes a beating from wind and cold and needs extra protection -- for example, a daily moisturizer lotion with SPF 15.

• For those with oily skin, stay with a light moisturizer, preferably one with a beta hydroxy acid, whose gentle exfoliating properties lift away dull skin for a more radiant complexion even when skin is irritated by environmental factors. However, do not exfoliate with scrubs or masks as frequently as in warmer months.
• As the area around the eyes can become dryer too, make sure they are receiving optimal moisturization.
• If using a treatment product with Retinol, be sure to use the formula with SPF 15 during the day. Skin can become more sensitive when Retinol is used, and UV rays are still evident in winter, especially when reflected from snow in winter.
• Factor in individual skin type and geographic location when adapting your skincare regimen for winter. If your skin is dry, you'll be more prone to suffering the effects of harsh weather, especially if you live in colder climates.

Treatments That Meet Approval
These are the only products that have been studied for safety and effectiveness and approved by FDA for treating signs of sun-damaged or aging skin:

Renova (tretinoin emollient cream). This vitamin A derivative, available by prescription only, is approved for reducing the appearance of fine wrinkles and mottled darkened spots and roughness of facial skin in people whose skin does not improve with regular skin care and use of sun protection. Renova does not eliminate wrinkles, repair sun-damaged skin, or restore skin to its healthier younger structure. Also, the safety of daily Renova use for longer than 48 weeks has not been established, and it should not be used by women who are pregnant or trying to become pregnant. Renova has not been studied in people 50 and older or in people with moderately or darkly pigmented skin.

Carbon dioxide (CO2) and Erbium:YAG (Er:YAG) lasers. These medical devices are approved for treating wrinkles. The procedure requires removal of facial skin in a layer-by-layer manner. It is performed under anesthesia by a doctor in an outpatient surgical setting.

Source: U. S. Food and Drug Administration

Natural Skin Fix - Regenerate and Hydrate Skin with this Romanian Remedy:
Mix together in order:
1 cup oatmeal
2 teaspoons clover honey
2 teaspoons olive oil
2 teaspoons powdered milk
1/2 cup water
3 tablespoons Epsom salts

Apply to your damp body and face and then rinse. Finish with a thick lotion.