June 2010 Newsletter

25-Jun-2010

• Welcome to winter!

• How to have great skin

 

Welcome to winter!

Now that we’re in the midst of winter, it’s worth remembering that this is the season for regeneration – for nurturing ourselves and getting a little more sleep. It’s not the time for burning the candle at both ends.

It’s perfect weather for hearty soups and casseroles, and these not only virtually cook themselves in the crock pot, they can usually stretch across more than one meal. It might be tougher in places with a harsher cold season, but we have so much fresh produce available that we don’t have to resort to ‘stodge’.

Eating well and taking care of yourself will also go a long way to helping avoid colds and flu. Optimal vitamin D levels are important for preventing infection, so if you haven’t had yours checked in the last 12 months, add it to your to-do list.

Notice your breathing, and whether it’s through your nose or mouth. While your nose warms, moistens and filters the air you breathe, your mouth takes dry, cool air straight into your throat and lungs. So it pays to keep your mouth shut if you want to stay healthy!

Finally, winter is also the dry skin season for many of us. So this month’s newsletter looks at skin care.

How to have great skin

If you’re over 45 you may have found yourself studying before-and-after cosmetic surgery ads or eyeing off pricey ‘anti-ageing’ serums. But before you hand over your credit card to someone promising you eternal youth via a jar of cream, an expensive treatment, or even a scalpel, here are a few things to keep in mind.

Healthy eating equals healthy skin

Your body functions as a whole, so your skin mirrors your general health. The kind of diet that supports a healthy heart and bones, for example, will also benefit your skin. That’s a diet based on quality protein foods (such as organic meats, chicken, fish, nuts and seeds, eggs, and dairy if it suits you), fresh vegetables (including leafy greens and sea vegetables), fruit, and healthy fats (such as avocado, fish oils, olives and olive oil, nuts and seeds, butter and coconut oil). Probiotic or fermented foods such as yoghurt, kefir and miso are also valuable, since you need a healthy gut to have good skin. Plenty of fresh clean water is a must. Foods that are ageing include sugar, refined table salt, refined flour and bakery products, alcohol, too much coffee and trans fats (i.e. processed fats such as those in takeaways and processed food).

Exercise and taking it easy

Exercise is great for skin because it stimulates your circulation. So is relaxation. Stress plays havoc with your hormones, your general body function, and your skin.

Sleep and sun

Sleep is critical. If you aren’t getting enough, it will show in your skin. Sunlight is also important, although as we know, too much is damaging. Should you slip, slop and slap, or soak up the sun to top up your vitamin D levels? A sensible solution seems to be the middle path: enjoy the benefits of the sun in moderation for your skin.

Skin brushing

Dry skin body brushing sloughs off dry skin cells and boosts your circulation. Get yourself a firm, natural bristle brush and brush your body all over with circular movements, avoiding areas that are too sensitive. Your skin might go pink and tingly, even a little itchy, but that goes away. This doesn’t work so well in humid weather when your skin is clammy, but you’ll have no problems now.

Healthy skin products

Skincare products are very personal, and you probably know what you like. It’s tempting to think that expensive brands will make us look better, but often we pay for promises, packaging and perfume.
US author Paula Begoun (aka The Cosmetics Cop) examines the contents of skin care and cosmetic products to determine how effective they are. She has her detractors — especially since she also produces her own range — but she makes it clear that cheaper lines such as Olay and Neutrogena often produce products that are as good as or better than the ultra-expensive brands. Her site at beautypedia.com is an expanded, updated version of her book Don’t Go to the Cosmetics Counter Without Me, and it contains some free reviews and reports. Her work targets the American market though, so a lot of the products she reviews are not sold here.

To keep the skin on your body at its best in dry weather, use water soluble body washes — ideally fragrance-free. If you don’t fancy the mechanical forms of exfoliation (skin brushing, loofahs or washcloths), you can use chemical AHA and BHA exfoliants.

There are some excellent body lotions and butters around, but if you want something well-priced and as ‘natural’ as natural is when it comes to skin care, in Brisbane, Handmade Naturals on Gladstone Road, Highgate Hill make some great ones based on ingredients such as macadamia and coconut oils and shea butter. You'll find them in the fridge!

Attitude

Finally, an important ingredient in all of this is our attitude to ageing and attractiveness. It can take something to deal with the evidence in the mirror that we’re getting older when we’re surrounded by images of airbrushed women either half our age, or who’ve had every possible lifting, tightening and plumping procedure. But being fit, healthy and happy is a wonderful accomplishment. And it shows.
An astute woman on the subject of beauty is Australian comedienne Wendy Harmer, who grew up with a cleft palate. She said: ‘What do women want?’ Well, women have already said they want to be beautiful. Perhaps the question should be ‘What do women need?’ I think that it’s to be reminded that they are already beautiful.”


Until next time



Dr Rhonda Anderson

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