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Beautiful
Skin From Fall To Spring
By Natalie Katsman
Your
beautiful skin needs extra care and pampering during late
fall and winter months as it is exposed to the harsh conditions
of the season. Freezing temperatures, cold wind, dry heated
rooms - all are the major threats to fresh looking and supple
skin.
The skin is more sensitive to cold
than it is to heat. There are approximately thirty cold
receptors per square inch of skin surface, and only six
of those that feel heat. In response to low temperatures
or cold wind, blood vessels shrink. With limited supply
of nutrients and oxygen delivered by the blood flow, the
skin becomes pale, dry and sluggish.
As if the outside conditions are
not enough, dry air inside robs the skin of precious moisture.
Dry skin is more vulnerable to injury and infection and
prone to wrinkles and fine lines.
During this season, your skin needs
a more gentle and caring approach with extra nourishment
and protection. Cleanser that was fine during summer may
feel too harsh in winter. Replace it with a milder one.
Reduce scrubbing to the minimum. Good as they feel, long
hot showers are not beneficial for winter skin as they strip
the skin of its natural moisturizers.
To help your skin remain fresh and
supple, use nourishing and stimulating masks. Face-lift
treatments will help to stimulate blood flow to the skin
surface, thus boosting the delivery of nutrients and oxygen
to the skin and flushing it of toxins. Nourishing masks
will help to combat dryness and restore moisture content.
Alternating these masks will be especially beneficial to
make your skin look healthy and reduce the appearance of
wrinkles.
Fall and winter are a good time to
repair summer sun damage and even out your skin tone. With
less sun exposure, you can use skin lightening treatments
with even greater confidence and faster success.
Moisturizing
becomes more important than ever, regardless of your skin
type. Even oily skin needs a moisturizer to keep oil production
at regular levels. If oily skin is left to fight dryness
on its own, it will start producing more pore-clogging oils,
creating problems for you.
Any basic moisturizer is able to
provide protection against moisture loss. But look for those
that include not only oils and waxes, but quality moisturizers
as well: mucopolysaccharides, sphingolipids and liposomes.
These are easily utilized by the skin and work with it instead
of simply sitting on the skin surface. Other ingredients
such as vitamins, essential oils, enzymes and especially
coenzyme Q10, MSM, natural acids and herbal extracts will
provide additional nourishing, brightening and age-fighting
benefits.
Don't ignore the sun screen. Even
though the days are shorter now, the sun is still in, and
so is the sun
protection.
As a general rule, remember to apply
any kind of moisturizer at least 30-40 minutes before going
outside. This time is necessary for the cream to absorb,
otherwise the water contained in the cream will evaporate,
leaving your skin cold and causing dryness.
(C) Natalie Katsman, 2004
Natalie Katsman is a co-founder of http://www.natural-aid.com
where you can find fine quality aloe vera products for beauty
and well-being and subscribe to HealthySkin Newsletter filled
with beauty tips, recipes and information on herbal healing,
skin care and cosmetic chemistry.
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