CSI Beauty: Episode 3- Dry Skin

The topic of this week's discussion is Dry Skin.

Causes of Dry Skin
Dry skin is horrible.  It's itchy, red, flaky, and overall, just dry!  According to WebMD dry skin is usually caused by the environment and not by an internal condition, but there are usually 7 causes of dry skin.

1.  Misusing Moisturizer:  Applying moisturizer when your skin is already dry means that it will just sit on the surface of the skin as opposed to soaking it in.  Also, people with dry skin should use thick moisturizers.
2. Dry Air: This is the primary cause of winter dry skin.  In that case, it's usually the heaters we use for our homes.  But you can also find dry skin outside the home.
3. Hot Showers & Baths:  Hot water rinses away more of your skin's natural oils than cool water does.  At least when showering, this water is always moving around you, as opposed to bathing, when you're soaking in it.  
4. Soap: We have become a culture that is terrified of germs, and this has caused us to use way too much soap, which is stripping all our skin's oils.  Bubbles are your enemy.  I won't lie... I hate washing my hands and I try to avoid it as much as possible because it causes my hands to get super dry.  
5. Itchy Clothing:  Dry skin is itchy enough, let alone clothing that is further irritating our skin.
6. Medications & Drugs:  More commonly... diuretics, antihistamines, and retinoids.



Credit

7. Medical Conditions:  Such as skin conditions, Diabetes, Hypothyroidism, and malnutrition. 

Dry Skin Symptoms

• A feeling of tightness
• Rough skin
• Itching
• Flaking, Scaling, and/or Peeling
• Redness
• Fine Lines/Cracks

Home Recipes & Remedies

• There are a few ingredients that are great for dry skin and can be applied right to your skin after showering.  These can include almond oil, olive oil, and aloe vera
• Lactic acid is also effective.   You can take a milk bath by adding powdered milk to your bath water.  You can also add a small amount of your favorite oil for further moisturization.
• You can make an exfoliating face mask that is also hydrating.  Combine equal parts green clay and honey, apply to your face/body for 15 minutes and rinse in lukewarm water.
• Egg Yolks and Oatmeal are also good for dry skin.  You can mix the two (you can use powdered oatmeal, like the Aveeno Bath packs) and apply to your skin.  After 15 minutes, rinse off in lukewarm water.
• A similar treatment to the last one involves yogurt, which is high in lactic acid.  Combine some yogurt with honey and an egg yolk for another moisturizing mask.  Rinse it off when it's dry.  Add some oatmeal for its soothing properties. 
•  Avocado Oil is high in fatty acids, which can help to repair your skin's protective layer.  And using an avocado is really as simple as rubbing the inside of an avocado skin on your face.
• Another avocado treatment also involves lemon juice and egg yolk.  Mash 1 ripe avocado, and mix with 1 teaspoon lemon juice and an egg yolk.  Apply to the skin and rinse after 20 minutes.

Prevention 
There are a few things you can do to combat the environmental causes of dry skin.  Like previously mentioned, dry skin is usually caused by dry air, so using a humidifier will really help, especially during the winter.  You can also take cooler baths, and more showers, and you can make them shorter.  Use cleansers as opposed to soap, because cleansers will clean the skin but soap will strip the skin.  You can also wash less.  The typical adult doesn't really get too dirty, so its only essential to wash your hands, feet, face, groin, and underarms.  You can also avoid things that will further irritate your dry skin, because dry skin tends to be on the more sensitive side.   And finally, use the thickest moisturizers you can find.  If you put some on your hand and then turn your hand upside down and it runs, then its too thin.  You can also eat foods that are high in fatty acids, which will restore your skins fatty acid layer.

Sources
WebMD: 11 Causes of Dry Skin Problems 
Mayo Clinic: Dry Skin
Natural Home Remedies: Dry Skin
Holistic Online: Dry Skin
Dry Skin Care

CSI: Natural Beauty Edition, Skin Whitening & Hyperpigmentation

Okay, so sorry this came so incredibly late!  Its just been a crazy past couple of days (obviously) and we're still having problems with the internet at work (despite 3 technicians coming out in the past couple of days).  But here it is.  I hope this is okay, because I feel like I could've been more informational, but I really wanted to get this out there.  If you do have any questions, let me know through comment or email!  On Tuesday will be Dry Skin!

Skin Darkening has a number of causes including heredity, skin disorders, sun damage/tanning, adrenal/liver/intestinal disorder, malnutrition, and vitamin deficiency.  There are definitely a number of different causes.   Hyperpigementation is another form of skin darkening.  Hyperpigmentation occurs when there is an excess production of melanin.  (Melanin is responsible for your skin color, so the more that you produce, the darker your skin is).  There is also Post Inflammatory Hyperpigmentation, or PIH, which results in "scarring" from an inflammed wound (such as acne).  The difference between PIH and Hyperpigmentation is that PIH should eventually go away with time, although it may take awhile.

Typically, if you would like to whiten your skin, you could try over-the-counter creams (which could contain bleach!), or for more dramatic results, you could visit a doctor for stronger creams or to have procedures performed.  The most common cream on the market, for skin whitening, is Hydroquinone.  However, due to recent research, Hydroquinone may not be safe. 

Its important to note that skin whiteners only work once all the dead skin cells have flaked off.  You'll always have dead skin cells on your face, actually quite a thick layer, especially when compare to living skin cells.  About every 28 days, your skin is completely renewed, therefore, it will take at least 28 days to see the affects of skin whiteners.

Thankfully, there are a number of things in nature that have this lightening affect...

Ingredients that Promote White Skin
Glycolic Acid
It is an acid that is derived from Sugar Cane.  Also used for exfoliation and acne.
Kojic Acid
It is found in mushrooms, fermented rice wine, soy, and rice.  Its primary purpose in cosmetics is for skin whitening.  It is also antibacterial and an antioxidant.
Lactic Acid
It is found in milk. 
Emblica Powder
It is an herb, that also goes by the name of Amla.  It has the highest level of Vitamin C of any natural plant.  It is an antioxidant, and is also quite beneficial when used on hair. 
Lemon Juice Extract
Obviously comes from lemons.  It is high in Vitamin C and also acts as an astringent. 
Bearberry Extract
It is derived from the Uva Ursi Plant, and contains a natural form of hydroquinone. 
Mulberry Extract
It comes from the dried out skins of mulberrys. 
Vitamin B3
Also effective in treating acne.
Alpha Arbutin
Licrorice Extract
Also an anti-inflammatory.
Hyrdogen Peroxide
Is also a disinfectant, removes oil, and removes dirt. 
Vitamin E

The Recipes & Remedies

• You could make a paste from dried orange peels & raw milk.  You would first let the orange peels dry out in the sun.  Once done, grind the peels and then add enough milk to make a paste.  Once its dry, rinse off.  You should use this everyday.
• Rub a potato slice over your skin each night.  There are enzymes in the potato which have a bleaching effect.
• Almonds also have bleaching effects due to their large content of vitamin E.  What you would want to do is soak a small handful of almonds (about 5?) in a bowl of water, overnight.  The next day, peel the almonds and then mash "meat" and add a little milk to create a paste.  Apply the paste to your skin and then rinse once the paste has dried.  You should do this twice a day.
• Equal parts of milk powder, honey, lemon juice, and half of almond oil.  Apply to your skin and wash off after 10 minutes. 
• 2 teaspoons gram flour, a pinch of tumeric, a couple drops lemon juice, and a couple drops milk cream.  Mix together to make a paste and apply to your skin.  Once dry, rinse off.

Preventing Dark Skin

• Use Sunscreen, duh!

Sources:
iloveindia.com, Dark Skin Information
American Osteopathic College of Dermatology: Hyperpigmentation
Beauty & Makeup Tips: Home Remedies for Skin Whitening
Natural-homeremedies.com
Buzzle.com: Health Benefits of Almonds
Glycolic Acid
What is Kojic Acid?
Health Freedom Nutrition: Emblica Extract
All About Skin Lightening
eHow: Skin Discoloration Remedies