Dry skin, also known as xeroderma, is common at certain times of year, or for some people, all year round. It can be caused by cold or dry weather, heating, over washing or harsh soaps or detergents, and can result in the skin feeling tight and appearing rough, flaky or cracked.
The skin is a barrier between our body and the external world. It acts as a protective shield, keeping moisture and beneficial substances in while preventing the entry of harmful substances. The skin is made up of three layers: the epidermis at the surface, the dermis beneath it and the hypodermis at the base. The epidermis is responsible for locking in moisture. Any approach to skin health should consider both the inside and the outside environment - what you put in your body is just as important as what you put on your body.
Our top tips for caring for skin from the inside and out:
Outside
- Use a high-quality moisturiser to hydrate the top layer of skin and seal in the moisture.
- Steer clear of harsh soaps, perfumed soaps and alcohol products, which can strip the skin oil its protective oils, and opt for gentle cleansers.
- Avoid super hot or very long showers, as hot water can rob the skin of its moisturising oils. Lukewarm water is best to preserve your skin barrier.
Inside
- Drink plenty of fluid. While it’s understandable that in winter you don’t feel as thirsty, aim to boost your daily intake of fluids through nourishing herbal teas and soups.
- Hydrate from within with essential fatty acids. Oily fish such as salmon and tuna are high in healthy fats, or if you’re vegetarian or vegan, consider sources like flaxseeds and pumpkin seeds.
- Consider skin nutrition supplements, such as Sea buckthorn oil for a hydration hit.
Sea buckthorn oil
Sea buckthorn oil is derived from the fruit or seed of the Sea buckthorn berry, and is highly nutritious, enriched with unsaturated fatty acids such as omega-3 (alpha-linolenic acid), omega-6 (linoleic acid), omega-7 (palmitoleic) and omega-9 (oleic acid). The seed oil is particularly rich in omega-3 and omega-6, while the fruit is predominantly high in omega-7, a rare fatty acid. Supplementation with 2g of Sea buckthorn seed and fruit oil daily has been shown to support skin hydration in healthy women[1].
If you’re looking to support your skin hydration, consider Herbs of Gold Sea Buckthorn Oil, containing a blend of organic fruit and seed oil to provide a balance of beneficial fatty acids to support skin health and skin hydration.
Always read the label and follow the directions for use.
[1] Yang, B., Bonfigli, A., Pagani, V., Isohanni, T., von-Knorring, A., Jutila, A., & Judin, V. P. (2009). Effects of oral supplementation and topical application of supercritical CO2 extracted sea buckthorn oil on skin ageing of female subjects. Journal of Applied Cosmetology, 27(1), 13.
