The skin is not only a reflection of the soul, but also of the nutrient and vital substance supply. Despite a rich, wholesome food supply, a sufficient individual vital substance supply is not always guaranteed. An insufficient supply of vital substances can be caused, for example, by incorrect food preparation or by an individual need for additional vital substances. This can not only be noticeable in the form of physical health problems, such as a decrease in performance, but can also leave its mark on the skin. Skin problems such as dry or oily skin, rashes and itching or hypersensitive skin can also be caused by an insufficient supply of nutrients and vital substances (see “Nutricosmetics”). The appearance and the condition of your skin have a special influence on your self-image and thus on your self-confidence. Pay attention to the following skin signals:
- Fat and moisture-deficient skin
- Sensitivity to external influences
- Dull and dull skin
- Brittle and rough skin
- Feeling of tension after cleaning
- Tendency to uneven pigmentation and red spots
- Scaly skin
- Reduction of elasticity
General measures
- Change showering and bathing habits (only short showers and baths; not too hot, but temperature of 32-36 °C; then apply and spread oil/water emulsion on damp skin, then take another short shower).
- Sparing use of cleansing agents such as syndets or soaps.
- Keeping the humidity of the air constant
- In the cold season, protect the skin from the cold (the production of skin sebum decreases already at outdoor temperatures of 8 ° C): Wearing gloves, etc.
- Avoiding wool clothing, especially if the garments have direct contact with the skin; wear cotton clothing instead.
- Nicotine restriction (refrain from tobacco use).
- Limited alcohol consumption (men: max. 25 g alcohol per day; women: max. 12 g alcohol per day).
- Limited caffeine consumption (max 240 mg of caffeine per day; equivalent to 2 to 3 cups of coffee or 4 to 6 cups of green/black tea).
- Review of permanent medication due topossible effect on the existing disease.
- Avoidance of environmental stress:
- Irritants (chemicals, solvents)
- Air conditioning (warm, dry air).
- Overheated rooms (maximum 21 ° C)
- Dry room climate → use air humidifiers
- Sun (frequent sunbathing) → sunscreen!
- Winter (cold) – cold-dry climates; dry heating air (→ reduction of sebaceous gland secretion); in addition, the following recommendations:
- Air space humidifier
- Wear gloves from < 10 °C outdoor temperature
How to clean the dry and sensitive skin?
The first step of care is cleansing. The correct cleaning technique consists in not irritating, tugging or stretching the skin. Keep in mind: if you are constantly scrubbing, using aggressive soaps and alcohol-based facial toners, you are destroying the skin’s protective acid mantle. The horny layer dries out, becomes brittle and loses its natural barrier function. Handle your skin with kid gloves. Use a mild cleansing foam or a gentle cleansing milk. Make sure to use hypoallergenic creams. Dry and sensitive skin reacts to the wrong care like a mimosa.
How to clean the eye area (eye care)?
- In the morning, you should wash the skin only with lukewarm water or with a fragrance-free, lipid-replenishing soap and then dab with an alcohol-free, low-irritant toner. This procedure is recommended because otherwise lime residues from the tap water remain on the skin, which can further dry it out.
- In the evening, you should clean the skin with a fragrance-free, moisturizing soap or a gentle cleansing milk. Recommended are cleansers with almond or avocado additives, which have a nourishing and restorative effect. Then thoroughly remove the cleanser with lukewarm water and then dab the skin with toner.
Is it okay to use a scrub on sensitive skin?
Sensitive skin may also be treated by gentle exfoliation every two weeks. Use a gentle enzyme peeling that removes horny flakes without graining. Seek advice on which exfoliator is best for your skin. Gently wash your face twice a week with a sponge and warm water to stimulate blood circulation and remove dead skin cells. Avoid the eye areas when doing this, as the skin in this area is particularly sensitive and dries out quickly. Dry skin may also be cleansed by a special steam bath every two weeks.
Steam bath
Fill a large-size saucepan half full with water. Heat the water until it steams. Then place the pot on the table with a pad and sit in front of it at a comfortable distance. For dry skin, use the following additives to your steam bath: chamomile, lavender, peppermint, peach extract and horsetail.
How to take care of a dry and sensitive skin?
Dry skin needs both fat and moisture. Especially important is the re-fatting for dry skin after cleansing. The aim of re-fatting is to restore the protective function of the skin as well as to increase the water content of the horny layer. From the mid-twenties, the skin also needs more intensive moisturizing – liposomes are ideal for this, as they penetrate into the deeper layers of the skin and help improve the structure of dry skin. There are special lotions or creams for dry skin:
- During the day, an intensive care product of the water-in-oil type is recommended. This has a slightly greasing and moisturizing effect. Prefer care products that are enriched with natural oils. Unsaturated fatty acids such as linoleic acid are particularly suitable. Creams that contain nutrients and vital substances such as vitamin E and panthenol (vitamin B5) are particularly recommended.For extremely dry and horny skin areas are particularly suitable anhydrous fat creams such as petrolatum.
- In the evening, at bedtime, you should apply a rich night cream to regenerate the skin.
Available are cold creams, cooling cream DAB, water-containing lanolin alcohol cream and appropriate basic preparations from various manufacturers.Generally, care products with low fat content are preferred on the face, on the trunk and extremities, the fat content may be higher. In the summer months, emulsions with a high water content are more suitable.You can use a moisturizing mask once or twice a week after cleansing and possible exfoliation, which will hydrate the skin and improve its tone.
