| Dry skin is generally caused due to environmental | | | | 7. Water is the most important part of the diet for |
| conditions. It isobserved in cold weather, when the | | | | correcting dryskin. About 7 to 8 glasses of water |
| climate is too dry and cool. Sincethe climate is dry, it | | | | must be consumed in a day. But thewater should be |
| absorbs the water content of the skin, due towhich | | | | at room temperature. Cold water will aggravate the |
| it becomes dry. In this sense, dry skin is caused by | | | | vatafurther. |
| vatavitiation. But sometimes, the skin becomes dry in | | | | 8. Avoid alcohol and caffeine-containing beverages |
| the hot season also.If this happens, then the cause is | | | | since they can make the skin drier. |
| a pitta vitiation. | | | | (3) Home Medicationsa. In order to reduce the |
| (1) Useful Herbs/Plants in the Treatment of Dry skin | | | | dryness of the skin, massage therapy mustbe used. |
| 1. Aloe vera (Aloe vera) | | | | Any herbal oil will do for the massage. Almond, |
| Aloe vera replenishes the skin by providing the | | | | avocado andolive oils are the best. The whole skin |
| nutrients it lacks. Its extracts are used for massaging | | | | must be massaged and fingersmust be used to dig |
| the skin. | | | | deeper so as to pass the oil into the skin. Afterthe |
| 2. Apple (Malus domestica) | | | | massage, you must wait for about half an hour |
| Apple contains potassium and tannin which are both | | | | (keep the massagedskin exposed to the air if |
| necessary tomaintain the healthy texture of the skin. | | | | possible) and then go for a bath. The periodhelps the |
| Apple not only removes thedryness of the skin, but | | | | oil to permeate into the skin.b. If the dryness is on |
| also makes it appear shinier. | | | | the face, then make a paste of about ateaspoonful |
| 3. Cucumber (Cucumis sativus) | | | | of rose water and two of honey. Smear this paste |
| Cucumber is beneficial if the dryness is especially over | | | | nicely onthe face. Let it remain for a couple of |
| the face.The juices of the cucumber have a cooling | | | | minutes and then wash it offwith slightly warm |
| effect on the face. Also thejuices provide the lost | | | | water.c. Mayonnaise gives good results when applied |
| water content to the face and reduce itsdryness. | | | | on the dry skin and let be for some time.d. An apple |
| (2) Dietary Treatments for Dry skin | | | | can be used for treating excessive dryness of the |
| Since dry skin is caused due to vata or pitta vitiation, | | | | skin.Cut an apple in half and run its fleshy part on the |
| the dietshould be designed to reduce these vitiations. | | | | skin. Apply a bitof pressure and squeeze the apple |
| Vata is the air element;while pitta is the fire element. | | | | onto the skin to let its juices flowin.e. Do not use tap |
| The following guidelines must befollowed:- | | | | water for washing the face. Tap water |
| 1. Cook your food in a little fat, suitably ghee. The | | | | containschloride ions which may harm the dry skin. |
| food must not be totally dry. | | | | Use mineral water instead.In a similar manner, do not |
| 2. If the dry skin is a result of vata vitiation (dry skin | | | | use an ordinary soap on the skin. There aresoaps |
| in coldweather), then eat foods that are heavy on | | | | available with moisturizers. Use them when having |
| the stomach. But do not usemuch spices. | | | | your bath. |
| 3. If the dry skin is a result of pitta vitiation (dry skin | | | | Maintain a proper daily regimen. Try to get up at a |
| in hotweather), then eat light foods that are easy to | | | | fixed time eachmorning and go to bed at a fixed |
| digest. Use more fibersin the diet. | | | | time. The adage 'Early to bed andearly to rise makes |
| 4. Sweet foods are good for both vitiations. | | | | a person healthy, wealth and wise' is very true inthe |
| 5. Eat lots of fruits. Consume more of the sweet | | | | case of dry skin. |
| foods to build up the starch content in the skin. | | | | Regular exercise is also important. Exercise makes |
| 6. The best condiments and spices to be used in the | | | | the bloodcirculate better, due to which the nutrients |
| diet are cumin, coriander and turmeric. These soothe | | | | are transported to allparts of the body. This will |
| the skin. | | | | make the skin moister. |