With cooler weather now upon us, many have begun seasonal hibernation mode: staying indoors, protected from the elements, cozy & warm! Unfortunately, hibernation can lead to dry, itchy, flaky skin on your body scaliness, seasonal eczema, or atopic dermatitis. Dry skin is a very common concern, and can be exacerbated by low humidity, seasonal allergies, harsh soaps/detergent, and cold weather.

Reduce flares, and treat irritated, dry skin by being skin savvy this season!

Supplement Your Diet!
Adding zinc supplements to your daily vitamin intake will act as an anti-inflammatory. Also, an omega fatty-3 acid supplement (or evening primrose oil) will increase skin suppleness. A great, all-encompassing supplement: VitaMedica Healthy Skin Formula which features vitamin A, zinc, selenium and chromium to promote skin health; herbs to detoxify and cleanse the skin, and bromelain to support inflammatory control.

If you prefer to nourish yourself through food, don't forget that fish is very high in omega fatty-3 acids! 

Adjust The Temperature!
Hot showers and baths feel SO good after a workout, coming in from the cold, or when one is suffering from the aches and pain of a seasonal virus! However, hot water will further dry and dehydrate the skin, so stick to warmer (but not HOT) water.

Exfoliate!

Scales are cute ... on lizards and reptiles, that is.

The Ultimate Buffing Cloth from Dermalogica, when paired with a nourishing body wash or fatty, emollient soap, will help smooth, while allowing cleansers to nourish the skin as you bathe! Great body cleansers to consider this season: Peter Thomas Roth Mega-Rich Body Wash or Éminence Organic Cranberry Naseberry Yogurt Body Wash! If you own or wish to invest-in the Clarisonic PLUS Sonic Cleansing System, its body brush is EXCELLENT to combat dry, flaky skin on the body! Paired with Clarisonic's Body Brush Extension Handle, there won't be an inch of skin neglected! 

Topical scrubs such as MD Formulations Face And Body Scrub, Osea Salts of the Earth Body Scrub, and the Fruit Enzyme Body Scrub from ARCONA will manually smooth and refine!

Slather On The Moisturizer!

It's okay to be generous with the application of body lotion or cream, and your thirsty, itchy skin will thank you for pampering it with nourishment! For those whom have itchy, irritated skin: La Roche Posay Lipikar Balm AP+ or Avene TriXera+ Selectiose Emollient Cream  both are neutral in scent, and will calm and nourish the driest, most irritated skin! If you prefer a light, subtle fragrance while pampering your skin with moisture, consider fresh scent of NEST Bamboo Body Cream, philosophy's Amazing Grace Firming Body Emulsion, or Cleopatra Body Lotion from TOCCA Beauty. Lightweight but nourishing: body oils from Black Chicken Remedies,Elemis, and REN will comfort, soothe, and delight!