Feeding Your Skin?

If your skin is suffering from exposure to "the elements" this summer, you can remedy the situation by paying extra attention to what you put on your skin — and into your body.

"Since your skin is the larges organ in you body, it's important to remember that whatever you use topically will get utilized internally. This will be reflected directly in the health of your skin. Diet, exercise and stress levels can all make a difference," says Kelly Uusitalo, supervisor at Bastyr Dispensary.

Nourish your skin

Of course, the best way to "nourish" your skin is by using high-quality skin care. "Moisturizers and other skin care products are like food for your skin," she says. Choosing products that reflect this belief is the first step toward developing a life long health regime for both you and your skin.

That doesn't mean you need to spend a fortune on products, says Kelly. "We have six lines of skin care products at the Bastyr Dispensary which range from inexpensive to moderately-priced, and they are all high-quality." She adds, "Also, you are better off buying one high-quality cream to put on your face than having seven mediocre products in your cupboard."

Does everyone need to use skin creams and lotions?

"In a perfect world, we wouldn't regularly use skin care products," says Kelly. "But we are constantly being exposed to chemicals and environmental toxins. We rarely get enough sleep, have poor diets and live under an enormous amount of stress. To expect your skin to look great without any support is unrealistic."

Kelly notes people have a lot of misconceptions about what is a good, natural skin product. "The ingredients should all be easy to recognize. Even if a product says 'natural,' 'hypoallergenic' or 'dermatologist recommended,' that doesn't mean it's a clean, quality product. Also, with many commercial moisturizers, you'll need to use a large amount to keep your skin appearing healthy," explains Kelly. "With a high-quality, clean product, you can often use much less of it, and the product lasts much longer." And, of course, your skin will be truly nourished.

Writer: Sydney Maupin, Staff Writer
Contributor: Amy Turnbull, ND
Date: 2002

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