DISORDERS

(Their description, characteristics or symptoms,

causes, and complementary or alternative treatments)

Disorder: DRY SKIN

Description: There are two types of dry skin: simple dry skin and complex dry skin. Simple dry skin results from a lack of natural oils. Complex dry skin lacks both oil and moisture and is characterized by fine lines, brown spots, discolorations, enlarged pores, and sagging skin. A balance of oil and moisture is crucial for healthy, attractive skin. There must be enough moisture in the skin cells, and there must also be enough oil to act as a shield, preventing excessive evaporation of moisture from the skin’s top layers.

Symptoms: Dry skin tends to be dull-looking, scaly or flaky, and readily develops fine lines and wrinkles. It usually feels "tight" and uncomfortable after washing unless some type of moisturizer or skin cream is applied. Chapping and cracking are signs of extremely dry skin.

Incidence: Simple dry skin most often affects women under the age of thirty-five. Complex dry skin is usually associated with aging. Fair-skinned people seem to be more likely than others to have dry skin, especially as they age. Most people’s skin tends to become thinner and drier as they get older.

Causes: Dry skin is probably mainly a genetic condition, but it may be caused or aggravated by a poor diet as well as environmental factors such as exposure to sun, wind, cold, chemicals, or cosmetics, or excessive use of harsh soaps. Nutritional deficiencies can also contribute to dry skin.

Treatments: Follow the nutritional supplements and recommendations outlined below.

Nutrients:

Supplement Dosage Comments

Primrose oil	Up to 500 mg. daily.	Contains linolenic acid, an essential fatty acid needed by the skin.
Vitamin A	25,000 IU daily for 3 months, then reduce to 15,000 IU daily. If you are pregnant, do not exceed 10,000 IU daily.	Strengthens and protects the skin tissue.
Vitamin B complex plus Extra B12	As directed on label. 100 mg. 3 times daily.	Anti-stress and anti-aging vitamins.
Kelp	1000-1500 mg. daily.	Supplies balanced minerals. Needed for good skin tone.
Vitamin E	Start with 400 IU daily and increase slowly to 800 IU daily.	Protects against free radicals. Used topically, it can minimize wrinkling.
Zinc	50 mg. daily. Do not exceed 100 mg. daily from all supplements.	Necessary for proper functioning of the oil-producing glands of the skin.
Aloe vera		See under Herbs, below
Collagen	Apply topically as directed on label.	Good for very dry skin. A nourishing cream that can restore a healthy tone to damaged skin.

Herbs:

	Used topically, aloe vera has excellent soothing, healing and moisturizing properties. Apply aloe vera gel topically on affected areas as directed on the product label.
	Almost all skin types benefit from lavender. Spray an herbal or floral water mist on your skin throughout the day to replenish lost moisture. You can purchase lavender water already made, or you can make your own by adding a few drops of essential oil to 4 ounces of distilled water, or by making an infusion of fresh lavender leaves and flowers.
	A weekly facial sauna using chamomile, lavender and peppermint is good for dry skin. Simmer 2 to 4 tablespoons of dried or fresh herbs in 2 quarts of water. When the pot is steaming, place it on top of a trivet on a table and sit with your face at a comfortable distance over the steam for fifteen minutes. Then splash your face with cold water and allow your skin to air dry or pat it dry with a towel. Then either apply a good natural moisturizer or facial oil, or apply a clay mask (see under Recommendations below). After the sauna, you can allow the herbal water to cool and save it for use as a toning lotion to be dabbed on your face with a cotton ball after cleansing.

Recommendations:

Include the following in your diet:

	Fresh vegetables and fruits
	Quality protein from vegetable sources
	Plenty of yellow and orange vegetables. These are high in beta-carotene, a precursor of vitamin A.
	At least 2 quarts of quality water each day.
	Foods high in sulfur help keep the skin smooth and youthful. Good sources include garlic, onion, eggs and asparagus. Sulfur is also present in the amino acid, L-cysteine, which can be purchased in pill form.

Avoid the following:

	Fried foods and animal fats, saturated fats, and heat-processed vegetable oils.
	Alcohol and caffeine – these have a diuretic effect, causing the body to lose fluids and essential minerals.
	Sugar, soft drinks, chocolate, potato chips or other junk foods.
	Do not smoke and avoid secondhand smoke. Smoking has a harmful effect on the skin. It constricts the blood vessels, deprives the skin of oxygen and nutrients, causes wrinkles around the mouth, and makes the skin dry and leathery.
	The sun is responsible for most of the damage done to the skin. As much as possible, stay out of the sun, and always apply a good sunscreen to all exposed areas of the skin if you must be in the sun.
	Do not use harsh soaps, cold cream, or cleansing creams on your skin. Cleansing creams are made from hydrogenated oil, which can cause free radical damage to the skin. Instead, use pure olive, avocado, or almond oil to cleanse the skin. Pat the oil on, then wash it off with warm water and a soft cloth.
	Twice weekly, use a loofah sponge for the face and warm water to boost circulation and remove dead skin cells. Avoid using the loofah around your eyes, however.
	Always moisturize your skin after cleansing, and at other times during the day, if necessary, to keep it from drying out. Use a liquid moisturizer or facial oil that contains nutrients and other natural ingredients. Do not use solid, waxy creams.
	Look for skin care products that contain humectants. Humectants are substances that attract water to the skin to hold in moisture. Natural humectants include vegetable glycerine, vitamin E and panthenol, a form of pantothenic acid (vitamin B5).
	Using a humidifier, especially in winter, helps to reduce the amount of moisture lost from the skin through evaporation.
	Use a facial mask once a week to clarify the skin and remove dry surface skin cells. This can be done immediately after the facial sauna described under Herbs in this section. Blend together well 1 teaspoon green clay powder (available in health food stores) and 1 teaspoon raw honey. Apply the mixture to your face, avoiding the eye area. Leave it on for fifteen minutes, then rinse well with lukewarm water. While your skin is still slightly damp, apply a natural skin oil or liquid moisturizer.
	If your skin is chapped or cracked, increase your consumption of water and essential fatty acids. Keep any chapped areas well lubricated and protected from the elements.
	For cracked, dry skin on the fingers, use calendula cream or oil with comfrey, vitamin E oil, and aloe vera. Apply the mixture at bedtime, then wear plastic gloves overnight. Pure vitamin E oil can be found in health food stores.

Considerations:

	Certain drugs, including diuretics, antispasmodics, and antihistamines can contribute to dry skin.
	Cocoa butter is a good skin cream and is not expensive. It also helps reduce skin wrinkling. Keep it in the refrigerator after opening.
	Dry skin can be a sign of an underactive thyroid.
	A group of acids known as alpha-hydroxy acids, applied topically, help the skin retain moisture and encourage the formation of new skin cells. These acids occur naturally in apples, milk, citrus fruits, tomatoes, sugar cane, grapes and blackberries. Of the alph-hydroxy acids, lactic acid appears to be the best

Vitamin For Life Recommended Regimen and cost:

Product No 59618-	Description	Comments	Cost
239-15	Evening Primrose Oil 500 mg.	1 softgel daily	$7.95/50
925-15	Beta Carotene 25,000 IU softgels	1 softgel daily	$5.95/100
891-15	Vitamin B complex 50 mg. Tabs.	As directed on label.	$6.95/100
234-15	Vitamin E 400 IU (D-alpha tocopheryl)	1 softgel daily	$8.95/100
923-15	Zinc gluconate (chelated) 50 mg. tabs.	1 tablet daily	$3.64/100
940-15	Collagen beauty formula tablets	As directed on label.	$12.76/100

Sources:

Prescription for Nutritional Healing, 2^nd Edition

By James F. Balch, M.D. & Phyllis A. Balch, C.N.C.

The products and the claims made about specific products on or through this site have not been evaluated by Vitaminforlife.com or the United States Food and Drug Administration and are not approved to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent disease. The information provided on this site is for informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for advice from your physician or other health care professional or any information contained on or in any product label or packaging. You should not use the information on this site for diagnosis or treatment of any health problem or for prescription of any medication or other treatment. You should consult with a healthcare professional before starting any diet, exercise or supplementation program, before taking any medication, or if you have or suspect you might have a health problem.