Eat Raisins, Don’t Look Like One!

Human beings are made up of 2/3 water. We need to drink plenty of water to maintain an over all healthy body. Our organs need to stay hydrated to function properly.

Did you know that your skin is the largest organ of the human body?

Your skin is crying out for water too!

Dry skin is usually associated with winter but summertime also has its drying elements. Sun and wind are the two main contributors to dry parched looking skin. I love being outside in the summer. I enjoy basking in the sun and if I can do it while enjoying an ocean breeze – Wow!

I don’t want to look like a dried raisin though. If we are to understand how to moisturize our skin we need to understand skin.

There are three layers to our skin.

1. The deepest layer is where our body stores all the fat we use for energy, it also helps regulate our body’s temperature and it protects our inner organs.
2. The middle layer is the thickest layer. Here we find all the nerve endings, blood vessels, sweat glands and hair follicles. The dermis also holds the oil glands that keep the skin properly lubricated and impervious to water. Two proteins, collagen and elastin, found in the dermis support the skin’s top layer and provide shape, tone and flexibility.
3. The top layer is our protector. It is a barrier against the outside elements like the sun, wind and temperature. Just as important is its ability to protect us from outside invaders like germs and viruses.

Obviously, anything that affects the all-important top layer can dry out your skin-sun and wind both rob skin of moisture. Adding a topical moisturizer helps add moisture back to this layer but what about the underlying layers? What can you do to help keep your skin soft and touchable?

As your body’s largest organ, your skin depends on the nutrients in your diet. You have to feed your skin well if you expect it to stand up to wind and sun.

• Eating fish, rolled oats and ground flaxseeds frequently as these foods are high in omega-3 fatty acids, which help the skin retain moisture. Include other healthy oils, such as safflower and olive oil, in your meals. Supplemental omega-3s, in the form of flaxseed or fish oils, can also help.
• Taking a quality vitamin that contains vitamin A, B, and C are vital. Vitamin A helps with skin growth and repair while Vitamin B is a powerful antioxidant. Vitamin C promotes the growth of collagen, which provides skin with its structure.
• Bathing or showering for too long, or using water that’s too hot, can actually cause your skin to lose moisture. Prolonged visits in a bath or shower washes away your skin naturally oils that hold in moisture. When you do get into the tub or shower, don’t scrub your skin and don’t use harsh cleaning agents. Instead, go for natural cleansers that feature such skin-friendly ingredients as glycerin.

Drink plenty of water. Keeping your body properly hydrated is like providing the fuel for the car. Your body knows what to do with the water you intake.

By all means, enjoy the summer sun. Just make sure your skin enjoys the summer too, by staying hydrated and happy!

Make today your best day ever!

Nancy