Nourish and Restore Your Beautiful Skin

This post is sponsored by Aveeno® Canada, but all thoughts and opinions are my own.

Hello Canadian winter…you know those dry, cold, dark, yet at the same time cozy and beautiful days ahead. As the temperature drops, there are a few things that I do in order to keep my body warm, grounded and nourished. Giving my skin a little extra love is one of them. The light moisturizers and body care products that keep my skin healthy and glowing during the summer, just aren’t enoughfor the winter. The harsh environmental element, plus the constant hand sanitizing really make my skin crave MORE. More warmth, moisture and TLC. I can’t wait to introduce you to the latest scientifically-studied products by Aveeno. But first, let me share a little about why you should care so much about your skin.

Skin 101

Did you know that your skin is the largest organ in your body? Your skin is much more than an outer surface for the world to see. It protects you from bacteria, dirt, the ultraviolet rays of the sun and contains nerve endings that let you know if something is hot or cold, soft or hard, sharp or dull. Your skin also plays an important role in regulating your body’s fluids and temperatures. The smooth, hairy outer layer is called the epidermis, and beneath it lies a thick, strong and elastic layer of tissue known as the dermis. The dermis is richly supplied with blood vessels, sweat and oil glands and nerve endings.

Maintaining the stability and fluidity of the natural water loss barrier in the skin is so important for preventing toxic substances from entering or irritating the skin (leading to itchy and sensitive skin) and to keep your skin hydrated when the weather gets cold. Optimal structure and performance of the skin is necessary in order for it to function properly. When the barrier function of the skin is defective, skin disorders and damage can result.

Common skin disorders include dry / itchy skin, redness, eczema, acne and psoriasis. Dry skin is the most common skin condition and is characterized by rough, scaly skin and itching particularly in the winter or in climates with low humidity. As we get older, the epidermis loses as much as 50% of its thickness which can accelerate water loss, leading to skin dryness. Atopic dermatitis or eczema is a chronic inflammatory disease that affects up to 25% of the population and is characterized by dry, itchy and inflamed skin. Most people have dry skin to some degree, especially during winter and in climates of low humidity.

Say goodbye to dry skin with Aveeno Restorative Skin Therapy.

I absolutely love the new Aveeno Restorative Skin Therapy line which includes a soothing body wash, repairing cream and itch relief balm. This formula checks all the boxes, providing a skin nourishing combination of:

1. 01. Prebiotic Oat which helps good bacteria to grow and thrive (yes, your skin also contains good and important bacteria). Side note, oats, berries, bananas, seeds, leeks, chicory root, onions and garlic are a few foods to include in your diet to help feed good bacteria in your gut and on your skin.
2. 02. Pro-vitamin B5 helps restore skin’s moisture barrier and repair dry, sensitive skin. Vitamin B5 or pantothenic acid is necessary for skin-cell regeneration and growth and essential for maintaining a healthy skin barrier. It is a natural anti-inflammatory commonly used to treat discomfort brought by skin conditions.
3. 03. Aloe Vera is a natural skin healer known for its ability to help soften dead skin cells, boost cell renewal and soothe skin burning and discomfort.

Aveeno’s Restorative Skin Therapy is formulated without fragrance, parabens, sulfates, steroids or phthalates.

Holistic Approach

As a holistic nutritionist, I am a firm believer that healthy skin mirrors a healthy body. Eating a well-balanced diet full of fruits, vegetables, healthy fats, high quality proteins and of course drinking plenty of water for hydration is so important. What you put in your mouth will have a profound impact on the health of your skin. Using  skincare products is important, but so is nurturing my body, mind and soul. Emotional stress can impact skin in a negative way, therefore creating “me time” by incorporating fresh air, walking, a cup of herbal tea, lots of filtered water, gentle stretching, reading and plenty of sleep are inexpensive and accessible ways to help your body and mind regenerate.

One of my favorite ways to unwind in the evening is to do 15 minutes of yoga stretching, followed by a warm bath. I love using the Aveeno Restorative Skin Therapy Soothing Body Wash while in the tub. It helps to gently cleanse my skin. After my bath, I always moisturize my skin with lotion, and the Aveeno Restorative Skin Therapy Repairing Cream is the perfect nourishing choice to help restore my skin’s moisture barrier while repairing dry areas. If I need temporary itch relief of minor skin irritations on areas such as elbows, and knees, I use the Aveeno Restorative Skin Itch Relief Balm.

How will you nurture your skin this winter?