Natural medicine expert shares tips on how to avoid dry skin

• Cold weather combined with the dry, windy conditions that are this province's signature can wreak havoc on skin.
• Skin 101 Skin is the body's largest organ.
• The best way to combat dry skin that accompanies the colder weather is by working from the inside out, rather than just slathering on creams and ointments and hoping for the best.
• Water, water everywhere One of the main components of healthy skin is water.
• The body is composed of over seventy percent water that makes up every cell, including skin cells.
• The first step toward preventing or healing dry skin is to increase your water consumption.
• While the standard recommendation is eight cups per day, more may be required to cope with dry indoor air and harsh fall and winter elements outdoors.
• For every caffienated or alcoholic beverage you drink, add another glass of water to the total.
• To combat dryness, you will need to increase your consumption of healthy fats, also known as essential fatty acids.
• Adding cold-pressed flax or hemp oil to salads or drizzled on steamed veggies or baked potatoes is another excellent way to add healthy Omega-3 fatty acids to your diet.
• Avoid cooking with flax or hemp oil since the heat eliminates any benefit to taking them.
• After cooking food, you can use these oils in place of butter as a condiment on foods.
• From the outside in The best moisturizers to fend off dry skin are those that contain few harsh chemicals, emulsifiers, preservatives, and alcohol, all of which can further irritate dry skin.
• If you're already experiencing dry skin, you can turn it around with a little TLC, essential fats, extra water and some soothing natural moisturizers.