Cold weather can be challenging for your skin, leaving it dry and sometimes flaky and itchy. Extra care may be needed to keep it healthy, supple, and smooth throughout this season. Here are 5 easy to implement tips you can use to keep your skin healthy this winter!

Forget Hot Baths

It may seem very tempting to soak in a hot bath after being out in the cold, but a hot bath can strip the natural oils from your skin, leaving it dry and even a little inflamed. Try and settle for a warm bath instead, and avoid soaking too long. Be selective in choosing the products you use on your skin. Your best and healthiest option is to use organic, all-natural coconut oil for your skin. You can use this as a moisturizer for your whole body. Rub the coconut oil in your hands and massage it into your body focusing on high use areas such as your elbows and knees. If you can’t get a hold of coconut oil for your skin, make sure to stay away from moisturizers that contain harsh chemicals that could hurt or dry out your skin even more. Make sure to choose organic body products with natural ingredients.

Moisturize

Making sure you moisturize consistently throughout the colder months can help keep your skin looking great. Make sure you pat yourself dry and then slather on moisturizer immediately after a bath or shower. You want to do this to restore the moisture lost when you bathed. Before you rush off to buy a moisturizer, make sure that you read the ingredients list. Look for all natural ingredients and avoid moisturizers which contain alcohol, parabens, or other chemicals that can be toxic to your body. Or, of course, as mentioned above, use organic coconut oil.

Treat chapped lips with you a natural lip balm made with lanolin. Lanolin is an oil that keeps  skin soft and moisturized. Again check your ingredients list for chemicals and stick to all natural ingredients.

Also, when heading out into the cold, take a small bottle of moisturizer that you can use when you feel your hands getting dry. Apply it on as often as needed. Winter is not the time to scrimp on moisturizers!

Eat Healthy and Keep Yourself Hydrated

Hydration is just as important on the inside, so keeping hydrated is key to healthy skin in both the summer and winter months. Even though it feels cold, make sure you are still drinking enough water. Remember, your body is made up of at least 60% of water and you need water not just for your skin but for your overall health. Try and drink at least half your body weight in ounces of water and add more as needed depending on climate and activity level. If you have to, set an alarm to remind you it is time to drink a glass of water.

Also, winter tends to be a time when comfort food calls. Eating healthy foods like fruit and vegetables high in antioxidants will fight free radicals found in your body and help keep your skin healthy and supple. These foods also promote the production of collagen, which is essential for great looking skin.

Humidify

Humidifiers emit water vapor and increase the moisture level in the air. These are great to use during winter because it is the lack of moisture in the air that can contribute to dry, cracking skin. A humidifier can also help you sleep by reducing nasal congestion that is so common in the winter.

Keep Your Hands and Feet Warm and Dry

Do not forget your hands and feet. If irritated, the skin on your hands and feet can crack or itch. If you suffer from eczema, winter can be a common time for flare ups! Change your gloves or socks as soon as possible if they get wet. Keep hands and feet warm and dry!

Hopefully, these tips help you keep your skin looking amazing this winter. Remember prevention is always best, so implement these tips before you notice dry or cracking skin to maintain skin health throughout the cold weather season.

Do you have any other tips for healthy skin in the winter? We would love to hear from you in the comments below.

Recommended Reading:

• Heal Cavities, Gum Disease, Naturally with Organic Oral Care – Toothpaste recipes included
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Embarrassed by your stretch marks? Well, don’t be. Stretch marks are super common in men and women and can be found on any area of the body where rapid weight gain is experienced. Although they are nothing to feel embarrassed about, there are a few things you can do to try and avoid stretch marks and to minimize the appearance of the ones you already have.

What are Stretch Marks?

Stretch marks are purple or red marks caused by tears in the elastic layers of the skin. Genetics plays a role, but anyone can develop stretch marks if they rapidly gain weight. Stretch marks commonly occur during pregnancy and puberty. Even bodybuilders develop stretch marks when they quickly build muscle.

How To Avoid Stretch Marks

If you are predisposed to stretch marks, there are several steps you can take to try to avoid them. Although there are no guarantees,   all of these tips have additional health benefits and are likely to reduce the severity of any stretch marks you do develop.

1. Keep Your Body Hydrated

Hydration is super important to keep your body optimally functioning. Proper hydration can also reduce your risk of developing stretch marks, especially during pregnancy, because it ensures optimal elasticity.

Some signs of dehydration include headaches, tiredness, dry throat or lips, and lack of concentration. Try to make sure you are drinking at least half your body weight in ounces of water as a minimum and adjust this amount depending on your activity level and climate.

2. Vitamins A & C

Maintaining a healthy diet is another way of maximizing your chances of avoiding stretch marks. Foods that contain Vitamin A and C are essential to healthy skin, so make sure you get plenty of these vitamins in your regular diet. Some great sources of Vitamin C include tomatoes, oranges, cantaloupe, and bell peppers. To get your daily dose of Vitamin A, you could include potatoes, carrots, and mangoes in your diet.

3. Essential Oil Treatments

There are several essential oils that improve skin elasticity and, therefore, can help reduce the appearance of stretch marks. Neroli oil is great for overall skin health and reducing stretch marks. It helps to regenerate skin cells and keeps your skin elastic. People with sensitive skin can also use Neroli oil because it does not irritate the skin.

Oil of mandarin oranges can also be applied on the skin to improve blood circulation and  skin rejuvenation. Lavender oil is another essential oil that can help as it also promotes skin regeneration and cell activity, which reduces the risk of developing stretch marks. A blend of cold-pressed wheat germ and almond oil can also be used to prevent stretch marks. Applying these oils gently on the skin will encourage new tissue growth and improve circulation.

4. Include Gelatin In Your Diet

Gelatin increases collagen formation in the body, which improves skin elasticity and can help prevent stretch marks and reduce the appearance of stretch marks you already have. One of the best ways to get more gelatin is to consume bone broth. Bone broth is easy to make at home and has a whole host of other health benefits.

You can also add gelatin powder to juice or a smoothie to increase collagen intake, but go for an organic grass fed source whenever possible. Gelatin doesn’t just improve skin elasticity, it also helps improve insulin sensitivity while it promotes digestive health, fights free radicals, and promotes wound healing.

5. Maintaining a Healthy Diet

Although there are times in our lives when weight gain is inevitable, such as during puberty or pregnancy, preventing excess weight gain through healthy eating and exercise can limit the likelihood of stretch marks. A healthy balance of nutrients can also help to maximize the health of not only our skin but the rest of our body.

Recommended Supplements:

• Systemic Enzymes
• Lavender Essential Oil – Wise Woman Herbals
• Shillington’s Total Nutrition Formula

Recommended Reading:

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Fiber is such an important nutrient for your body in so many ways, but did you know that it is also crucial for beautiful, healthy skin?

A diet rich in high-fiber foods such as vegetables, fruits, and whole grains can have many benefits to your body. It can give you more energy, improve brain health, and reduce the risk of a whole range of diseases including heart disease and diabetes. But did you know that fiber is also really crucial for super healthy skin and hair?

So how exactly does the fiber from your diet improve the health of your skin?

Consuming foods high in fiber along with drinking an adequate amount of clean, pure water helps your body flush out toxins. Without fiber, these toxins can lead to clogged pores, acne, and dry listless looking skin.

Fiber generally comes from plant-based foods. It is a part of the plant that your body can’t digest. Therefore, as it passes through the intestinal tract, it acts like a broom, sweeping out toxins, excess fats, and waste. Fiber is also great for improving your circulation, which is vital for making sure your skin cells get enough oxygen and nutrients. This means softer, more youthful looking skin.

If you eat processed foods, such as white bread, pizza, and other junk food, you are eating food that has been stripped of its fiber. These foods can actually have the opposite effect on your skin; they can cause acne breakouts and other skin problems.

Make sure you are eating organic foods whenever possible and try adding some of these to your diet to bump up your intake of fiber and help your skin to be healthy and look amazing.

• Whole grains such as barley, millet, brown rice, buckwheat, and steel cut oats
• Lentils, chickpeas, and beans
• Brussel sprouts, broccoli, and leafy greens
• Chia seeds and almonds
• Berries such as raspberries, blackberries, and blueberries

Along with having enough fiber in your diet, it is really important to be drinking enough water to keep your skin healthy. The benefits of drinking enough water are often underrated; however, it is very important for your body and your skin! Water helps your body regulate its metabolism, aids in your body’s digestion, and provides the skin with buoyancy and elasticity, which helps to keep you looking great.

Skin cells are predominantly made up of water and as a result, when your skin isn’t hydrated, your skin will appear dry, tight, flaky, and more prone to wrinkling. Drinking water is also a great detoxing agent, which removes toxins out of your body and will have a dramatic effect on the appearance of your skin.

So exactly how much water should you be drinking each day?

Well, it depends on a number of factors such as your body weight, where you are located (hot/cold, dry/humid climate) and your activity level. Generally, you want to drink around half your body weight in ounces of water. For example, if you weigh 160 pounds, then you want to be drinking 80 ounces of water per day. Try and spread out drinking the water throughout the day as the body can only absorb so much water at a time.

Have you noticed the effect of fiber in combination with water on your skin? Let us know how you will incorporate more fiber into your diet. Information is nothing without action, so try adding just one high fiber food into your diet today and build from there to transform your skin!

Sources:

• What’s the Best Water for Detoxifying and For Drinking?
• Inexpensive, Easy Detox – The One Gallon Challenge
• 80% Raw Food Diet
• Natural Remedies for Constipation

When parts of our body grow so quickly the elastic fibers under our skin can’t keep up, the fibers break. Stretch marks are the result -red or purple lines across the skin that fade over time to a gray or silver color. Stretch marks most commonly occur on the abdomen, breasts, lower back, thighs, and upper arms.

Stretch marks are very common during pregnancy, puberty, or any time when weight is gained quickly. How quickly you gain weight may be more of a factor than the amount of weight you gain. Research has suggested genetics may play a major role in whether you get stretch marks. You may also be more prone to stretch marks if you are a younger mum, which is a surprise to many, or if you’re carrying a big baby, twins, or you have excess amniotic fluid.

So What Can We Do To Try And Avoid Stretch Marks?

Drinking lots of water is really important as it can help keep your skin hydrated and full of elasticity.  A healthy diet with good fats and lots of vegetables will aid in skin health.  You can also try a range of oils or creams, but stick to organic, healthy products. Remember, your skin absorbs anything you put on it. You should always choose pure products, especially when pregnant.

What Can I Do If I Already Have Stretch Marks?

Well, the good news is that most stretch marks fade over time. However, the best time to treat stretch marks is when they are new and darker red in color. When stretch marks fade a silvery color they are easier to hide, but they are also harder to completely remove.

Everyone’s skin is different, so what works for someone,  may not work for you. But here are some natural solutions that you can use to see if they reduce the appearance of your stretch marks. Try applying one of these at a time, two or three times a day.

• Castor Oil – Apply directly to your stretch marks. It can also be used to treat other skin problems.
• Aloe Vera – Lots of soothing and healing properties, but make sure you use an all natural Aloe Vera product without alcohol in it.
• Egg Whites – Yep, this rich source of protein can be used to help treat stretch marks by applying them directly.
• Lemon Juice – Its natural acidity helps heal and reduce stretch marks.
• Potato Juice – Good for so many things, potato juice helps restore skin cells.
• Cocoa Butter – An awesome natural moisturizer.
• Sugar – Don’t eat it! Use it to exfoliate your skin. Add a few drops of almond oil and lemon juice and mix together. Use to scrub the skin.
• Lavender Oil, Almond Oil, and Chamomile Oil – Mix together 4 parts lavender oil, 1 part almond oil and 1 part chamomile oil and apply directly to your stretch marks.
• Alfalfa – Rich in vitamin E & K. Mix alfalfa powder with a little chamomile oil to form a paste, which is a great natural remedy.

What you eat on a daily basis could be helping or worsening your stretch marks. Eat whole, real foods and avoid processed foods and refined sugars. Also, eat a good amount of healthy protein. Try eating some foods high in vitamin C and vitamin E such as dark, leafy green vegetables, oranges, papaya, kiwi, and broccoli. Nuts and seeds rich in minerals will also help tone up your skin.

How To Be Ok With Your Stretch Marks

Stretch marks are really common, and although we can try different techniques to lessen their visibility, sometimes they may be almost impossible to entirely remove. Know that you are not alone and that your body is beautiful, even with stretch marks.

I love the Instagram account, @LoveYourLines, which is beautifully celebrating women’s stretch marks. If you haven’t checked it out, make sure you do. It was started by two moms who were inspired to feature beautiful photos of stretch marks on women’s bodies after a discussion about how their own bodies had changed after bearing children. They get hundreds of submissions from people all over the world who want to share beautiful photos of their stretch marks. It’s inspiring.

What are your experiences with stretch marks? Were you able to minimize the appearance of them? We would love to hear from you.