Cure your winter skin blues.
I love Hong Kong this time of year as it means we get a break from the humidity for a few months. But there's a price to pay for the fine weather. The cool temperature brought by the north wind can result in itchy, red, dry, tight, scaly and even inflamed skin. Not helping matters are the hotter showers we tend to take as well as the relentless indoor heating. As our biggest organ that both protects and acts as an interface between our inner world and the outer world, our skin defends us from infection, acts as a waterproof barrier, regulates body temperature, makes vitamin D, and is our major detoxification mechanism - to name but a few of its vital functions. The skin is also an indicator of our state of health, lifestyle, stress level, our emotions and part of what we use to evaluate "beauty". Rather than trying to hide the telltale signs of winter skin or giving it a quick fix with steroid creams and over-the-counter antihistamines and lotions, I think it's important to see these symptoms as red flags from your body, and to treat your skin from the inside out.
5 tips for to curing your winter skin blues
1. Hydration - Drinking water seems so obvious but it's especially true in the winter. Light/pale yellow coloured urine is a sign of proper hydration. 2. Moisturize - I like using coconut oil but other plant-based oils are also great like olive and jojoba. It's always a good idea to do a patch test to make sure your skin is not sensitive to it. 3. Diet - Your cure can start at the food aisle. Eat lots of leafy green vegetables and foods rich in antioxidants. 4. Inflammation - Try cutting out sugar, white flour and starchy foods. 5. Nutrition - Many people are deficient in vitamins and minerals like A, C, D, and zinc, as well as omega-3, which are all essential for healthy and vibrant skin. If you would like help deciphering your skin or want to know how it can be improved, make an appointment with kinesiologist Joy.
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