When it comes to healing dry skin, one of the first things that I look at is whether healthy oils are being consumed. Digestion may also be an issue, if you are not assimilating nutrients properly the healthy oils you are consuming won’t be absorbed into the skin. It is also a good idea to look at whether any specific food you are eating is causing you to become dry (this might be histamine releasing foods such as wine, soy etc).

Below are my top 7 naturopathic tips to addressing dry skin!

Top up with healthy fats

Avocado, walnuts & flaxseed oil. Aim to get these in daily in a smoothie or your sales. Healthy fats are a crucial part of your skin’s ability to avoid water loss. Try to avoid the oils abundant in Omega and go for Omega-3 rich oils to hydrate the skin from the inside.

Use nourishing oils topically.

Jojoba, Camellia Seed Oil and Australian seed oils will help to reduce transepidermal water loss and nourish the skin barrier.

Lock in moisture.

Skin moisture levels dramatically increase when water and oil is provided topically to the skin - so seal in your nourishing oils. Look for a moisturiser which contains a blend of humectants (glycerin), emollients (sunflower seed oil) along with occlusive (Candelilla Wax). & Coco Bliss Intensive Repair combines all three elements, and is the perfect moisturiser to prevent transepidermal water loss and improve your skin’s natural moisturising factor.

Use a barrier cream.

If you are finding your skin is becoming extra dry during winter or in certain environments, use a barrier cream such as our Mum & Bub Coco Barrier Crème. This is a very rich cream which helps to lock in and seal moisture – Candelila Wax and Marshmallow found in the cream act like nourishing cocoons, wrapping the skin and protecting it from external agressors.

Avoid foaming cleansers and common nasties (sulfates, parabens, fragrances).

These common skin ingredients can all strip the skin of natural oils and lead to dry and flaky skin

Drink in licorice.

Licorice is a beautiful herb for reducing inflammation. Drink it on its own or with Burdock Root and Calendula in our complexion tea, No.4 Golden Glow.

Address any gut issues.

Do you have an underlying gut issue which means that your skin is not absorbing fats? It may be that you are constipated or that you have a compromised gut barrier. Ensure you are eating adequate fibre (25 grams is recommended daily for women and 30 grams is recommended daily for men). Also consider using a gut restoring powder such as Gut Replenish.