The Skin You’re In

Some women have a problem with dry or oily skin, and some have to deal with the combination.
When I was younger, my skin was oily, especially facial skin. Over the years my skin has changed, now that I’m middle-aged, I have dry skin. Whether your skin is dry, oily or a combination there are some things you can do to help keep your skin healthy.

Using the right soap for your skin is important. Some ingredients to look for in a good soap are glycerin, aloe vera, cocoa butter, avocado, or vegetable oils. Any one of these ingredients will help to moisturize the skin. A good choice for a facial skin cleanser is almond oil or jojoba oil, a less expensive choice is yogurt with a drop of essential oil added to it.

It’s also important to limit the time you spend taking a bath, especially if you are soaking in a tub. A short lukewarm bath or shower will benefit your skin the most. Although a nice hot shower or bath can relax your muscles, many times it is the cause of dry skin. Using a thick lotion after bathing can replace the essentials oils the skin needs to stay healthy.

Mentholated salve is my favorite thing to use on my feet during the summer months when they are dry and cracking; it’s very soothing and promotes healing. I apply it liberally at bedtime and then put on a pair of socks. Petroleum jelly is another favorite for my hands. It keeps them moisturized during cold weather, as well as hot weather.

Eating fruits and vegetables and drinking plenty of water can nourish the skin with essential vitamins and minerals. The best food choices for healthy skin are citrus fruits, whole grains, orange, yellow and green vegetables, and nuts. This is the area I seem to fall short when it comes to good skin care. However, spring and summer is a great time for eating fresh fruits and vegetables since they’re in abundance. My goal is to take advantages of the choices available and hopefully add some much needed nutrients to my diet.

Other choices for skin care include using natural ingredients for facials. Some beauty recipes call for the following:

• Mix oatmeal and water or milk
• Sugar mixed with honey
• Yogurt and honey mixture
• Mashed avocado

You can make other facials, scrubs and masks from ingredients you have in your pantry as well. Rachel Paxton, author of the e-cookbook What’s for Dinner, has some great ideas for homemade skin care recipes. For more information, follow the link at the end of this article.

I would like to encourage you to test any mixture you decide to use on a small area of your skin first, to make sure you are not going to be sensitive to any of the ingredients. It’s always better to be safe than sorry.

Taking care of the skin you’re in is a healthy habit that is enjoyable and can bring you satisfaction, and in some cases relieve minor skin problems.

Do you have a favorite skin care recipe or product that works well for you? If so, please feel free to share it with us. We would love to read you comments.

Written by Sherry
Visit her blog at www.wheretheroadleadsweeklyblog.blogspot.com

For more homemade recipes for facials, scrubs and masks by Rachel Paxton go to
www.e-nterests.com/beautyhtml/homemadefacialscrubsmasks.php