If you live in a cold climate, chances are you either have a humidifier in your home, or you’ve considered getting one. Since breathing dry air can irritate your respiratory track, accuweather.com has some ideas on how to use humidifiers safely, including making sure you service your humidifier so it doesn’t cause too much moisture in your home — which can be as detrimental as too-dry air.
Besides causing respiratory issues, cold dry winter weather is a common cause of dry skin. It can leave your skin feeling tight, rough and itchy, as well as susceptible to cracks, which can open your skin to germs and infection. A humidifier, properly maintained, can help moisturize dry air. But there are other things you can do to help your skin and body survive the winter.
For example, your diet influences your skin health; therefore, you need to get plenty of omega-3 fats, use coconut oil — an excellent natural moisturizer — eat vegetables and drink enough water to keep yourself hydrated. Omega-3s are especially important, as they help normalize your skin fats and prevent cell dehydration. They also have anti-inflammatory effects, which help soothe irritated skin.
Fish is a good source of omega-3s. Some of the best types of fish to consume include sardines, anchovies and herring, as well as wild-caught Alaskan salmon. If you’re thinking of taking an omega-3 supplement, my preference is krill oil, which is vastly superior to fish oil for regulating key metabolic processes, including glucose and fat metabolism, and which may be up to 48 times more potent than regular fish oil.