Albuquerque, NM

After detoxification, replenishment
and hydration are necessary to make up
for the moisture lost during a long dry winter.

Spring Renewal

fter hibernating through a long winter, there is nothing like spring: flowers, sunshine and warmer temperatures. Just as it is a time of renewal for the Earth, it is also a time of renewal for our skin.

Skin care in spring is all about detoxification. All winter long our skin has acquired dead cells and has lost great amounts of vitamins C and D. As we shed our winter coats, it is also time to shed our dead skin and feed our remaining skin the vitamins lost so it can become the beautiful flower that it is meant to be. Detoxification can occur through a good deep-cleansing facial or a detoxifying mud treatment. Many spas offer detoxifying treatments for the face and body. Adding a facial scrub to your cleansing routine one to two times a week is also a good way to remove dead skin cells, leaving your skin fresh and clear.

Taking a multivitamin daily is highly recommended as part of your skin-care regime. Vitamin A rebuilds cellular structure and helps clear acne. Vitamin B helps with moisture retention and hydration. Vitamin C helps repair sun damage and is full of antioxidants that help your defense against pollution, smoking and sun exposure. Topical vitamin C can further protect the skin from UV damage caused by prolonged sun exposure; however, while it can help safeguard against skin damage and reduce discoloration, it should be used in conjunction with, not in place of, a good sunscreen. Vitamin E helps repair dry skin and with moisture retention, promotes healing and improves circulation. Vitamin K helps with the dark circles and discoloration under the eyes. To further detoxify yourself, many skin-care lines and health food stores offer vitamins specifically for that purpose.

After detoxification, replenishment and hydration are necessary to make up for the moisture lost during a long dry winter. New Mexico is a dry climate all year round, so be sure to drink lots of water daily to help keep your skin hydrated. A good moisturizer with vitamins B and E will also help with moisture retention. A moisturizer with A, E, C and B is even better, as it offers all the vitamins necessary for your skin. When the weather really warms up, it could be difficult to convince yourself to apply a heavy moisturizer. An alternative to this would be to use a hydrating toner or serum — a clear, concentrated version of a cream — which will give you the moisture you need without heaviness. Organic products without mineral oil and pesticides are better for your skin, and because of their new popularity they can be relatively inexpensive.

It cannot be said enough that sunblock is one of the most important things that you can do for your skin to protect it from aging as well as skin cancer. No less then 20 SPF is recommended for the New Mexico climate. For additional coverage, wear a mineral makeup. Zinc oxide one of the base ingredients for most mineral makeups and is a natural sunblock that does not leave a greasy residue. Jane Iredale is a great makeup line that has Broad-spectrum UVB and UVA protection and does not test on animals.

Another natural way to protect your skin is by taking pomegranate extract or pills. Pomegranates have a very high content of antioxidants called polyphenols, which inhibit harmful enzymes and strengthen cell membranes, thereby creating a natural barrier to the sun in your skin. In research, when pomegranate was added to sunblock it was found to increase its effectiveness by 20 percent, and when taken orally it increased the effectiveness of sunscreens by 25 percent. Many skin-care lines are now adding pomegranate to their products, and currently it is being further researched as a cancer preventative and treatment.

Overall, remember to be kind to your skin. We live in a harsh environment with strong sun and wind. Sometimes a good facial, moisturizer and sunblock are all you need to put your best face forward.
Resources
• Mud detox and facials: Body, 333 Cordova Rd., Santa Fe, (505) 986-0362; Ojo Caliente Mineral Springs, 50 Los Baños Dr., Ojo Caliente, (505) 583-2233.
• Pomegranate extract or pills and multivitamin: Vitamin Cottage, 3328 Cerrillos Rd., Santa Fe, (505) 474-0111; Whole Foods, 753 Cerrillos Rd., Santa Fe, (505) 992-1700.

Additional thoughts, by Mary MacIntyre

First, if the link above does not create an OBVIOUS suggestion, here is the news: a new issue of the Sun Monthly is on your local newstand and can be read online too. Click the link.

I chose to highlight the above article because it mentioned the Vitamin Cottage, now know as Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage, which is where I work Part Time. Thanks for the plug! Also as always…there’s more to find in the Sun Monthly than you’d expect. If you are a local biz check out their advertising rates too. If you are from afar and want our biz advertise anyway….reasons: another day.

Technically I am not supoose to talk about the following ideas, as it may be impossible to separate my personal thoughts from VC’s perspective.

Re: Skin. If you use sun block, read the labels very carefully to make sure there are no toxic substances. Also plan on adding Vitamin D to your diet as sun block reduces your body’s abilitiy to manufacture Vitamin D. Good tightly woven organic cotton clothes could help as much as sub block. Wear a hat (which I seldom do). Drink lots of water. Eat fruits and veggies. Aloe is great for the skin. Remember cucumbers.

Go to www.weleda.com and press en for English.
From the Weleda website.
Cosmetics

Weleda cosmetics are carefully produced from choice raw materials of high quality and naturalness in modern manufacturing plants.

They are sensibly composed and are particularly gentle to the skin, containing no synthetic preserving agents nor colouring, or flavouring. Weleda has never conducted or commissioned animal experiments, neither at research level nor in connection with quality and usage tests. This is possible due to the high quality of the substances used, which have proven valuable through long-term experience. On the other hand Weleda employs different methods before a new product line is marketed, e.g. Weleda pharmacists or volunteers testing the products under guidance of medical specialists.

The well-balanced composition and processing of Weleda’s natural cosmetics provide a healthy balance as they support the health- and life processes of the whole organism. They contribute to well-being and vitality by their naturalness and freshness.

Me again (Mary MacIntyre). Think about the functions of skin and what it needs. It needs to breathe, keep hydrated, have room to sweat, take in sunlight to make vitamin D and protect the whole body from toxins, viruses.

What you put on your skin will be absorbed within minutes, if not sooner into your blood stream. This means that these ingredients aren’t first digested through the intestinal system or filtered through the liver. Whereas the skin seeks to eliminate waste products (sweat), and protect from toxins, your cosmetics may interfere with both. Sun block may block your pores so sweat can’t be released, and if your cosmetics contain harmful toxins, they get to float around in your body and wreck havoc.

In a recent workshop sponsored by Weleda, the speaker talked about layering different products to hydrate and pull in attributes of other products. It maximized the nuturing of the skin and prepared for a healthy environment.

Also Sea buckthorn oil is great for hiking, as it help the skin stay hydrated, and is good as an essential fatty acid. Go to the Weleda site or google sea buckthorn. It’s also high in antioxidants.

Add Water. Drink, splash, wash, use cucumbers which are full of water, high in collagen, and provide a cooling benefit. In a local spa (ten thousand waves) they even make a cucumber water because it is so good for skin.

Check out the resources provided by Michael Clark, read up on nutrients great for wonder full skin, and visit any of the locations mentioned for more in depth information. More soon.