By Christine Cheng, R.Ph. and Fred Cheng, R.Ph.
This recent stretch of cold weather will undoubtedly have triggered some complaints of dry skin or aggravated existing cases of eczema. Mild cases may be limited to flakiness or feelings of itchiness and/or tightness. In more severe cases, the skin will get so dry that it will begin to crack and/or bleed. Topical options such as lotions and creams may be adequate to maintain the moisture barrier in the skin. For more severe cases, consider thicker creams or ointment-based products. Applying topical options after bathing helps to lock in the moisture. Keep your showers or baths short because bathing can wash away sebum in the skin, which is normally present to help maintain the moisture barrier.
Topical options are great for providing some immediate relief, but they are only a part of the long-term solution. Building healthier skin from the inside out is the ideal way to prevent painfully dry skin. Although many will associate COLLAGEN supplementation with reducing the look of wrinkles, it can also significantly improve hydration in the skin. Collagen is the most abundant component in the extracellular matrix of the skin. It gives structure to the skin and helps to retain water. Collagen supplements come in both powder and liquid forms. We have had good feedback on CANPREV’s COLLAGEN BEAUTY products for their skin benefits. (This brand also has a line of collagen products that target different tissues in the body, e.g., Collagen Bone, Collagen Joint & Cartilage, etc.)
FISH OILS are also incredibly beneficial for dry skin. They provide differing types of unsaturated fatty acids that reduce inflammation in the body. In the skin, omega-3 unsaturated fatty acids act as precursors to ceramide, which is an important component of the skin’s permeability barrier. We have found that fish oil supplements that provide these unsaturated fatty acids in the triglyceride form seem to be most effective for improving skin hydration. Check with your healthcare provider prior to starting a fish oil supplement as it could interfere with certain medications.
HYALURONIC ACID (HA) is a moisture-loving molecule found in tissues in our body that require hydration, e.g., skin, vitreous of the eye (i.e., the jelly in the eyeball), synovial (i.e., joint) fluid to name a few. 50% of the HA in the human body is found in the skin. The hydration level in the skin is critically dependent on the HA levels in the dermal and epidermal layers. Oral supplementation with HA has found to be beneficial in improving hydration.
To get healthy, hydrated skin on a long-term basis, consider supplementing with at least one of these supplements. A trial period of at least one month is required to see if the supplement you chose is benefiting your skin. While you’re waiting for the supplement to work, use a good moisturizer or balm such as K’PURE’s OVERACHIEVER, which is safe even on babies’ skin.
Christine and Fred Cheng are a passionate, charismatic sister-brother pharmacist team at their unique, family-operated Pharmasave stores in Cloverdale and Steveston, B.C. They specialize in natural remedies and compounding for both human and veterinarian use. Find them on Instagram and Facebook! Everything mentioned in their article is available InStore.
Articles, Q&A, blog posts and all materials submitted for publishing is the intellectual property of Cloverdale Pharmacy Ltd – reproduction in part or whole, in print or online, without written consent and permission is prohibited.By Christine Cheng, R.Ph. and Fred Cheng, R.Ph.
