If you have dry skin, it’s uncomfortable, ages you more quickly, and causes any makeup to look ashy and cakey. Not only that, most women who sit in my makeup chair complain that their moisturizer doesn’t work. They apply it, it feels good for a short time, and then their skin is dry again. What are we to do? How can you treat dry skin in a way that you see improvement, and not just the never-ending cycle of moisturizers? In this video and article, I will address some practical methods to enhance your skins hydration using both inner and outer strategies.
RDA: Ridiculous Deficiency Allowance
Skin health equals your internal physical health. The two cannot be separated! Skin is the largest organ in your body, and is a direct reflection of your overall health. For example, if someone sits in my chair and has liver issues, I can see it in their under-eye circles and sallow complexion. Or, if someone doesn’t drink enough water and too much caffeine, their skin will be dehydrated and respond poorly to a cream foundation. With that fact in mind, let’s address the RDA (Recommended Daily Allowance) guide that the Food and Health Administration puts out, and the actual truth of what you need to be healthy.
The RDA says you need 100mg of vitamin C daily to be healthy. The truth is, taking that small of an amount will barely keep you alive! The average post-menopausal woman needs between 1000-5000mg per day to be at optimal performance and because your body doesn’t make vitamin C, it’s all the more crucial to have it as a supplement. This is true with most of the RDA’s suggestions, which is why I call it, the Ridiculous Deficiency Allowance.
What Vitamins Benefit the Skin Most?
In order to have great skin, the best and most effective way to figure out what your body needs, is to work with a naturopath, natural medicine practitioner, or health coach. For a broad overview, though, be sure to take water soluble vitamins B, and C, plus fat-soluble vitamins D, E, A and K. You also need minerals like potassium, sodium, magnesium, and iodine, plus ten to eleven amino acids. Probably one of the most overlooked, but essential fatty acids are Omega 3 and 6 that help with many things, but for this conversation they help keep the skin and body hydrated and eliminating toxins.
From a topical perspective, you need hydroxy acids (glycolic, lactic, and salicylic) to activate the production of the skin’s natural moisture factors along with vitamin A (retinol and retinoic acid). By using exfoliation through microdermabrasion, micro-needling, and peel, you enhance cell turnover and therefore brighten your complexion and soften fine lines. It all works together in a beautiful way! As your connective tissue is nourished with vitamins, leafy greens, and proteins, and your surface layer skin is turning over with exfoliation, your dry skin will improve and take on a lovely luster we all want.
What About Moisturizers?
Taking care of your inner health will do an enormous amount for your dry skin, so that when you use a good moisturizer, you will see more and better improvements. I recommend two brands for moisturizer; Image Skin Care is a wonderful, mid-range product ($50-120) with solid ingredients. My personal favorite is the Vital C line which has a serum, face wash, eye cream, moisturizers, etc. For the Mercedes Benz of skin care, try Truth Treatments Transdermal C Balm. It’s more spendy ($199), but uses lipophilic vitamin C, a premium stable form of vitamin C that penetrates deeply into the skin to nourish and boost collagen and elastin production.
Whatever your budget, taking care of your dry skin from an inner and outer perspective will soften fine lines, help makeup look better, and give your face the soft glow we all want.
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