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6 Fall Skin Care Tips - Time to Prepare for the Dry Winter Air!

See a Complete List and Details on Receiving 20% Off All Products Recommended in this Article - Use Coupon Code: fall157

by Ryan Grant, Oct. 18th, 2007

The onset of Fall and Winter brings decreased humidity, which in turn alters the skin’s natural PH level and makes it more susceptible to moisture loss. As temperatures drop and the air becomes drier, follow these 6 tips to keep your skin healthy and looking good.

1. Stay Hydrated, Sauna, & Exfoliate to Help Remove Toxins - The attempt by the body to remove excess levels of unwanted chemicals through the skin can cause acne and will aggravate eczema as well as create other skin reactions. It’s important to maintain your daily intake of water to aid in elimination of these toxins. When you don’t drink enough water and fluid volume becomes diminished, the ability of the body to remove toxins through urination is also decreased. These toxins must then be eliminated in other ways such as through the skin. The increase in body toxin levels can also cause headaches and fatigue. However, no matter how much water you drink, some toxins will still try to exit the body through the skin. Because of this, opening up the pores by taking saunas and using exfoliating products can go a long way in improving your skin’s condition. Saunas can help ease the elimination of accumulating toxins, as sweating helps open up your pores, allowing anything trapped deep within the skin to be released more readily. Taking saunas also helps to improve blood circulation. Dr. Andrew Weil says this regarding saunas:

“When you take a sauna, the heat pumps up blood circulation
near the skin and stimulates sweating. The Finns say a
proper sauna elicits about a quart of sweat per hour. I
generally encourage sweating. It helps the body rid itself
of unwanted materials and improves general circulation.”

Another tip to aid in the removal of toxins from the skin this fall is to use an exfoliating loofah while bathing. Loofahs help to remove dead skin cells that accumulate on the skin’s surface, help to open your pores and can also increase blood circulation, all of which will aid in the faster elimination of toxins exiting through the skin’s surface. For a more intense exfoliation use a loofah in conjunction with a sugar or salt scrub. For a more gentle exfoliation, try products such as Queen Bee - Honey Fresh Exfoliating Face Wash or Milk and Manuka Honey Exfoliating Body Wash.

2. Switch from Lotion to Cream - Creams are typically more moisturizing than lotions as they provide a stronger oily barrier which reduces water loss from the outermost layer of the skin. Regular use of hydrating creams will not only help to prevent water loss, they will also aid in restoring moisture balance and elasticity to the outer layer of the skin. Creams also provide a more protective barrier against extremes in temperature as well as humidity. If you are concerned about using a cream because you already have oily skin and you normally use a light gel because of this, consider stepping up to the next more hydrating option such as a lotion for the Fall and Winter seasons. Apicare has many great creams that contain active Manuka honey, including a brand new line called Apicare Therapy which was developed for extremely damaged and sensitive skin. Manuka honey is most known for its strong antibacterial properties, but it also acts as an excellent moisturizer and cell re-generator. For more information on the healing properties of Manuka honey, view our articles here.

3. Protect Your Lips - Start moisturizing early to prevent cracked & chapped lips this winter. I suggest using a non-petroleum based lip balm as it has been found that petroleum based products can have a drying effect on your lips. Apicare’s First Aid from the Hive Beeswax Lip Balm contains the ultra-emollient lanolin plus beeswax which helps to seal moisture in. Our Hemp Organics lip stick contains hemp seed oil. Hemp seed oil is one of the world’s richest sources of polyunsaturated fats, including both of the essential fatty acids (Omega 3 and Omega 6) and GLA (gamma Linolenic acid), which makes it an excellent natural emollient and moisturizer. Other good ingredients to look for in lip products are jojoba oil, shea butter, avocado oil, and mango oil. These moisturizing lipids can work wonders for your lips.

4. Don’t Forget Your Hands - With the decrease in humidity during Winter, it’s easy for hands to become dry and damaged. Hands that may have been damaged from UV rays this summer need extra care to stay soft and moist. Your hands also need special attention and specific products for each as the skin on the hands tend to be thinner than on the rest of your body and is often exposed to more drying agents. I personally like Apicare’s Very Hard Workers Handcreme. It is a thick beeswax balm packed with sweet almond & botanical oils to replace the lost oils in your skin, and active Manuka honey to hydrate. It really works! Not just for hands, it can also be used on knees, elbows, heels and cuticles.

5. Use Gentle Soaps that Don’t Strip Oils From Your Skin - Use cold processed soaps and if your skin is sensitive use unscented soaps. Harsh soaps full of dyes and fragrance can often strip your skin’s essential oils, leaving your skin dry and cracked. The ‘Cold Crafted’ method of making soap uses low temperatures for a short period of time in order to bring various oils to their natural melting points. Once this is achieved no further external heat is applied thereby allowing the natural essences to retain their skin nourishing and health related benefits. In addition, the ‘Cold Crafted’ process itself naturally creates within the soap a byproduct called glycerin - a humectant - which helps draw moisture to the skin and contributes to the silky smooth feel of cold processed soaps. Commercial soap contains very little if any glycerin as it is often extracted and sold as a food / cosmetic additive because of its higher resale value.

6. Continue Sun Protection - Despite the lack of sun some of us might be starting to experience, you still need to exercise caution when it comes to protecting your skin from UV rays. Winter doesn’t necessarily signal a break from sun exposure, especially for those who exercise or work outdoors. UV rays penetrate clouds and overcast skies, and reflect off water, cement, sand, and snow. Some of the most common sites of skin cancer lesions are the areas of the body that endure year round exposure, such as the hands, face, ears, and the left arm of drivers. Continue using SPF rated products.

See a Complete List and Details on Receiving 20% Off All Products Recommended in this Article - Use Coupon Code: fall157

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