By Sheila Arkee
The rainy season hit us a month early in Southern California, which means one big thing — my skin will be impossible to deal with for the next few months. Guaranteed!
I don’t know about you, but for some reason, my skin takes the change in weather to flake up, become dry in strange patches, and generally drive me insane. However, I do have some tricks up my sleeves that help me manage the dryness and save face, literally!
Dry Skin Trick #1: You are what you eat
Yep, it’s true. When my skin is showing signs of dryness and dehydration, generally it’s a sign I need to up my daily intake of good fats that nourish the body. Some sources of good fats include =
- Avocado. Just say YES to guacamole!
- Flax seed. I buy ground flax seed and sprinkle it into yogurt. You can also make these easy and delicious muffins.
- Fish oil, in capsule form. I use the Kirkland brand from Costco, have never had any problems with them.
Dry Skin Trick #2: Get natural with it
Here’s my secret – I don’t use store-bought moisturizers when I need intensive moisturization. Sometimes I’ll use Aquaphor, but when I really need to get down to business I rely on some good oils: olive, jojoba, sweet almond oil, coconut, or argan.
Right now I’m using virgin coconut oil to soothe my skin – and split ends as well! If you have never tried coconut oil, it’s amazing as an all-around moisturizer.
Although it is solid in the jar, it liquifies very quickly, so scoop out a little in your hand, let your body head warm it up, and apply as a regular moisturizer. It also works great as a hair mask – just put some in your hair for an hour, let it get to work, and wash out for super soft hair. I buy the 365 Organic brand of Virgin Coconut Oil from Whole Foods and it’s $6.99 entirely well spent.
Also, once a week use honey as a mask. You’d be surprised by how effective a five minute honey mask can feel.
Dry Skin Trick #3: Lay of the scrubs!
Yes, I am guilty of overexfoliating. Can’t help it!
Exfoliating IS good to remove flaky skin, but like with many other things in life, an excess will lead to irritation and even flakier skin. Ease up on your exfoliating schedule and watch your skin flourish!
Dry Skin Trick #4: Ease off the foundation
Generally, the less foundation the better. I will definitely wear foundation before big events, but I’ll make sure that my face has been prepped with something moisturizing – in my case a thin layer of jojoba, argan, or sweet almond oil, and then my SPF on top. Sounds a bit much, but it helps keep my face from cracking!
How about you? Does your skin tend to change with the weather?
Great tips for combating the winter dryness!!!! I have been putting honey on my face and it works wonders! I use a super quick and natural exfoliator with just honey and sugar (in a spoon) and my skin is left amazingly soft and supple and it lasts, too! it’s my new skin trick, I hope it helps someone.
A good face oil might also do the trick, like you said with the oils! nature knows best
) Less foundation and less scrubs, I can understand all those things will help combat the dryness..you are right 
)
Thanks, Denise – that’s a good idea for a scrub!
I was so excited by this post, I went straight to Whole Paycheck, I mean Foods, where I can’t afford to shop to pick up some of the coconut oil, but they didn’t have the 365 version. Everything else was $15.
Now, I’m on a mission!
P.S. Love your posts! So excited to have found this blog. I went through all of the 365 days of eyeshadow posts and saved about half for future future outings.
Thank you, Maggie! LOL! Whole Paycheck is possibly the most tempting grocery store ever.
How did you find us?