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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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