Skincare for the Winter | Pacifica Compounding Pharmacy

Did you know that your skin is one of the largest organs of the body? Besides acting as a waterproof,

insulating shield, guarding the body against extremes of temperature, damage from sunlight, and

harmful chemicals, it also helps prevent infection and manufactures vitamin D for converting calcium

into healthy bones and much more.

There are so many reasons and ways to make sure you are taking really diligent care of your skin

which in turn may help your whole body stay healthier too.

Dry skin is also a common problem during the winter months because the skin is exposed to colder temperature and lower levels of moisture in the air.

Here are some tips for taking better care of your skin, especially during this time of year.

Toxic Skin Care-

You may not realize it, but your favorite skincare products can be significantly full of harmful

ingredients, toxins, and chemicals. In fact, most store-bought, commercially-produced beauty

products that claim to erase wrinkles and make your skin glow, are packed with toxic chemicals,

artificial colors, fragrances, preservatives, and stabilizers that can easily be absorbed through the

skin’s pores, potentially causing a range of negative long-term health effects. (1)

Skin Care Chemicals-

You’ve likely seen synthetic chemicals in your skincare products. Most are skin irritants, skin penetrators, endocrine disrupters, and may also cause cancer.

Here are some main ones you should strive to avoid as much as possible:

Parabens are widely used preservatives in cosmetic products. The concern with these chemicals is that scientific studies suggest that parabens may disrupt hormones in the body and harm fertility and reproductive organs, affect birth outcomes, and increase risk of cancer.

Synthetic Colors can have a negative impact on your skin. If your product labels say FD&C or D&C with a color and number, it means these colors come from petroleum or coal tar. These are also suspected to be carcinogens, skin irritants and linked to ADHD in children.

Phthalates are a group of chemicals used in hundreds of products to increase the flexibility and softness of plastics. They are known to be endocrine disruptors and have been linked to increased risk of breast cancer, early breast development in girls, and reproductive birth defects in males and females.

Your antibacterial soap is likely to contain Triclosan, this widely used antimicrobial chemical that’s a known endocrine disruptor — especially thyroid and reproductive hormones, and a skin irritant. Triclosan can also be found in toothpaste and deodorants.

Formaldehyde is a preservative is used in many cosmetic products to help prevent bacteria growth, yet it has been linked to occupational-related nasal and nasopharyngeal cancers, allergic skin reactions and it may also be harmful to the immune system.

Propylene Glycol is commonly used as a skin conditioning agent. This ingredient is classified as a skin irritant and penetrator, so it is known to cause dermatitis, hives, and other skin sensitivities.

Skin food is important! Getting and keeping radiant, soft skin can happen if you watch what you eat and is especially true since certain foods can age skin. (2) (3)

Be sure your diet contains:

Avocados – rich in antioxidants such as Vitamin E, loaded with healthy fats (monounsaturated),

and are good for your body and skin.

Colorful Fruits and Veggies – help you get enough minerals, phytonutrients, and antioxidants

to ward off free radical damage and fight off other signs of aging.

Collagen – found in grass-fed beef, organic poultry, and all kinds of nuts are some of the best

foods for glowing skin because they deliver ample amounts of amino acids that boost collagen

production.

Dark Chocolate – derived from cacao beans is rich in antioxidants called flavanols, which may

plump and hydrate skin, protect it from UV damage, and boost circulation for a healthy glow.

Berries – contain anthocyanin which works to protect the skin from free radical damage,

premature aging, and wrinkles.

Aside from dietary assistance, you may want to include dietary supplements to your skin routine in the event you aren’t always getting the right nutrients from your daily foods.

Vitamin D is an important vitamin you absorb from the sun, but some of us aren’t able to absorb vitamin D from the sun, which is why a supplement might be the help you need. It helps for skin glow, immune function and bone health.

Fish Oil contains Omega-3 fatty acids which helps soothe inflammation and protect skin against damage. It also has been known to help with acne.

Biotin is a water-soluble vitamin which can result in scaly, red rashes on the skin if you are biotin deficient.

Vitamin A topically versus orally is helpful in reducing acne. Just be careful if you choose to take it orally, as high doses may be toxic for your body.

Vitamin C is an antioxidant that fights free radicals to prevent cell damage and oxidative stress to the body.

Curcumin relieves inflammation and actually has been known to speed up the wound healing process and reduce psoriasis symptoms.

And finally, Vitamin E helps scavenge harmful free radicals to preserve skin health.

We carry a full-line of high-quality supplements in our pharmacy and have an even more extensive line of supplements we sell online.

As you can see, there are several lines of defense to take better care of your skin. Pay attention to your skin products, be sure to include foods into your diet that are known to aid in skin health, and add any dietary supplements that your routine that may be missing from your diet.

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