No one enjoys dry skin, but its a common experience if you live in temperate countries like Canada. Country Guide points out that roughly 70% of Canadians suffer from dry skin, especially during the harsh winter months. Exposure to cold and dry weather and the dry air from central heating in your home can cause your skin to become rough, itchy, and flaky.
Though dry skin is common among Canadians, you can use plenty of natural
remedies that can soothe and hydrate your skin. To keep your skin smooth and
healthy, here’s what you’ll need to do:
Make it a habit to moisturize your skin with shea butter
If you live where the air tends to be cold and dry, you’ll need to make it a daily habit to protect your skin with moisturizing products. These products need to be gentle and nourishing because harsh chemicals can irritate your skin and further increase its dryness.
Shea butter is essential for keeping your skin safe and hydrated. Unlike commercial lotions, pure African shea butter provides your skin with vitamins and fatty acids that can protect your skin’s natural oils. Shea butter also aids in your skin’s natural collagen production, so it can keep it soft, strong, and younger-looking over time.
Follow a balanced diet for your optimal health
Weight isn't something you usually consider when it comes to skin health. However, a study on ‘The Link Between Obesity and the Skin’ revealed that 60-70% of people with obesity experience skin changes, including skin dryness! The excess fat stored in one’s body can speed up transepidermal water loss, thus leading to more dryness.
Recognizing that excess weight can lead to skin dryness, you can improve your optimal health by following a balanced diet. Though there are plenty of diet options out there, Weight Watchers shows that personalized weight loss plans work best because they consider your food preferences, health goals, and even your coaching needs. Personalized diet plans make it easier to eat foods that can help you lose weight and moisturize your skin, such as oatmeal, sweet potatoes, and carrots.
Use ingredient alternatives for unhealthy food
You can also keep your weight and your skin healthy by using healthy ingredient
alternatives for your guilty pleasures.
If you’re using shea butter for your skin, weight management specialist Malia Frey states that you can maximize it by using it as a replacement for fats and oils in various recipes. Smoothie lovers can use shea butter to give the drink a creamier texture and an added health boost. You can also use shea butter as an oil alternative for popular African dishes, such as the earthy and flavorful Dafaduka.
Increase your room’s humidity with a natural solution
You can’t change the climate, but you can find ways to improve the air quality within your home or office. Air conditioning and central heating can dry out your skin, so it’s best to balance the air quality by using a humidifying product. Rather than purchasing a new humidifier, you can opt to put containers of water near heat sources or purchase plants to improve the moisture levels in your environment. These natural solutions pull moisture back into the air, making it easier for your skin to retain its natural hydration levels despite the weather outside.
You can restore your skin's hydration levels with the help of natural remedies. These holistic solutions ensure that your skin won't be exposed to harsh ingredients or processes as you bring it back to its optimal health.