Contributed by Penny B.

Skin is our largest organ and is responsible for protecting our body from infection, regulating our body temperature, and making vitamin D3, an anti-aging oxidant. So, how can you keep this organ in good shape?

Hydration.  Drinking water helps keep you hydrated, glowing and youthful. One of the signals that we might not be getting enough water is dry skin which can be itchy and uncomfortable. So, be sure to drink up. Also, moisturizing your skin with a body or facial lotion directly after showering (when pores are more open) makes your skin more absorbent.

Dry Brush. Dry brushing helps exfoliate your skin which increases circulation, stimulates new skin growth, and cleans the lymphatic system. For more sensitive areas, such as the face, you do not want to dry brush.  Instead, use a gentle exfoliator or add some baking soda to your face wash. For tough areas, you can make a paste from baking soda and water and scrub away.

Take a warm shower. Don’t make your showers too hot. Slowly wean yourself off of hot showers and make them lukewarm instead.  Hot showers strip the skin of essential oils that keep it moisturized and healthy.

Avoid irritants. There are some common ingredients in products that can irritate your skin and make it feel dry and itchy. These include: fragrances, sodium lauryl sulfate, imidazolidinyl urea and diazolidinyl urea. Be sure to avoid products that contain these ingredients. Your skin will love you for it!

How do you keep your skin healthy?  We invite you to share your ideas in the box below.