Thursday, April 19, 2007

Natural Ways to Heal Your Skin

Did you know that there are natural remedies for some of the most common skin concerns? I will provide you with some remedies for three of the top concerns among dermatology patients.

Acne is a common skin condition that occurs when oil and dead skin cells clog the skin's pores. Remedies include:

* Eating green vegetables, carrots, celery, cucumber, cold-water ocean fish, and brown rice.

* Avoiding or eliminating sugar, fried food, dairy (especially those containing sugar), and caffeine.

* Giving yourself a facial with avocado skins or raw honey.

* Washing your face with warm water twice a day with castile soap, then alternating warm and cold applications.

Eczema is a term for a group of medical conditions that cause the skin to become inflamed or irritated, with scaling, blisters, and itching. Eczema can be caused by an excess of saturated fat, cold weather, and detergents. Remedies include:

* Eating cold-water fish (such as salmon) containing omega-3 polyunsaturated fats.

* Avoiding fruit juice, spicy food, fatty food, sweets, and citrus.

* Applying raw honey or sliced cucumber with vinegar to the irritated skin.

* Wearing gloves when using chemicals or detergents.

Dry skin is the result of poor nourishment, dehydration, low thyroid function, or soap and chemical exposure. Remedies include:

* Increasing water intake

* Avoiding moisturizers with mineral oil, a petrochemical that is used in many skin care products. Mineral oil blocks pores and dries skin.

* Applying olive oil or coconut oil to your skin and use them in your cooking

* Making a facial or body mask with half of a banana or avocado and apply to face for 15 minutes.

How do your healthy and beauty products stack up? Since this month's topic is healthy skin, I thought I would share with you a website goes into detail about the good, the bad, and the ugly in health and beauty products. I was surprised by what I learned about some of the natural products I buy. http://www.ewg.org/reports/skindeep2/

Amy Lippmann, H.H.C., AADP

Certified Holistic Health Counselor

Offering Nutrition & Lifestyle Coaching

Amy supports busy women who want to be healthier, but are confused about all of the conflicting nutritional advice and don't know where to start. Amy is currently offering complimentary nutrition and health consultations to see if she can help. Contact Amy today to schedule your consultation. Learn more about Amy, check out her free resources, and sign-up for her FREE e-newsletter at www.wellnesshealthcoaching.com

About the Author
My formal training is in Eastern/Western nutrition and holistic health from the Institute for Integrative Nutrition in New York City, and I am certified by the American Association of Drugless Practitioners. I currently have a practice based in Carrboro, NC, but work with clients in Boston, Chicago, and Pittsburgh. I received a BA from Washington University in St. Louis. My background is in training and development, non-profit management, and marketing.