So, just what can we do to make sure our bodies retain the life-sustaining and skin-loving water we work so diligently to consume?
Here are a trio of tips that will make a noticeable and immediate improvement in the condition of your skin, which is, after all, the greatest overall barometer of our health and well being:
- Do drink those 8 glasses of water daily, more if you are very active. While the water in our food and the various drinks we consume daily DO count toward this total, isn’t it best to get as much pure water as possible without the chemicals and sugars found in soft drinks? Our bodies have to work very hard to "process out" chemicals in order to receive the benefits of the water.
- Stop using harsh detergents on your skin and hair. The soap you purchase at the supermarket and drug store is not really "soap" at all but skin-dehydrating detergents. In fact, take a look at the wrapper and you won’t even see the word "soap". Most of our favorite brands show the word "bar" on their wrappers if they show anything at all. Detergents remove oils including those of our lipid barrier letting water escape throughout the day. Emollient glycerin has been removed through processing to make other products. In most cases, these products are lotions and creams to sell to us to counteract the drying effects of the detergents and glycerin removal.
- Use body lotion immediately after your shower and bath while your skin is moist and receptive. Make sure your body lotion contains skin-loving oils such as shea butter, olive oil, palm kernel oil and the like. These oils not only provide additional moisture but also help to "seal-in the" water from your shower or bath. The best body lotions also nourish your skin with antioxidants and other skin foods such as vitamins and minerals.
Do these three things every day, starting today, and your skin will lose it's dull, dehydrated, crepey look and begin reflecting glowing good health.
Until later,
Ari
