Summer weather, with its sunburn, bug bites, scrapes and scratches is hazardous to the skin. But for people with sensitive skin or conditions such as eczema and psoriasis, winter can be much worse. The drying effect of the harsh cold combined with an overly warm and arid indoor atmosphere can remove needed moisture from the skin. These skin conditions are more prone to flare, generalized flaking and cracking are common and dark skin is more likely to become ashy.

Below are some tips to help relieve dry winter skin:

1. If the indoor air is extremely dry, use a humidifier to add moisture to the atmosphere.
2. Use balm type moisturizers for extra dry, cracking, flaking, or ashy skin.
3. Hydrate your body by drinking plenty of water.
4. Exfoliate the skin if it is flaky. Be sure to moisturize right after exfoliation.
5. As tempting as it is, don’t take long, hot showers or baths. This dries the skin more.
6. Layer your clothing so that softer items are closer to the skin and scratchy sweaters, etc. are on the outside.

SkinHealth Technology’s line of conditioning skin and sun care products are the perfect addition to your winter routine.

Click here for more detailed advice on keeping your skin comfortable and conditioned during the winter months.

It is not surprising that people who suffer from skin conditions can develop related emotional problems. The two conditions often fuel one another and create a cycle that is difficult to break. What is surprising is the extent to which this occurs.

In fact, there is an emerging sub-specialty of psychology, called psychodermatology, that helps patients deal with this aspect of their condition.

Here are some findings from the American Academy of Dermatology and other skin groups:¹

• Major depression is one of the main results of chronic skin disorders.
• Suicidal thoughts are another consequence. Consider some statistics on psoriasis. About 5% of the 4.5 American adults with psoriasis have suicidal thoughts – three times the rate of the general population.
• Other psychosocial side effects of skin conditions are social withdrawal, anger, frustration, and lack of confidence.
• 26% of people with moderate to severe psoriasis have been forced to change or discontinue their normal daily activities.
• Adults with acne face higher rates of unemployment than the general population.
• Kids with skin disorders suffer, too. Two out of five of these children have some psychosocial impairment.

SkinHealth Technology’s line of effective dermatological skincare products are designed to treat chronic skin conditions like acne, rosacea, psoriasis, eczema, and benign purpura–the often severe bruising that can occur as skin ages.

1) Grosbart PhD, Ted. “The Emotional Impact of Skin Problems.” Psychology Today 9 Jan. 2010: 9 pars. Web. 26 Sept. 2011. .

Recently, on her show, Rachel Ray did a segment on skin conditions with her personal physician, Dr. Anne Chapas. Rachel wanted to know the difference between simple dry skin and other more troublesome skin diseases.

Rachel asks, “The changing of the seasons can have a drying effect on our skin, but how do we know when a little moisturizer will do and when a trip to the doctor is in order?”

“Everyone has dry skin at some point in their life,” says Dr. Chapas, “but if it doesn’t respond to moisturizers, or it’s itchy or painful, it’s probably caused by a skin disease and you really should go see your dermatologist.”

Dr. Chapas explains some of the most common skin conditions like eczema, psoriasis and seborrhoeic dermatitis.

Click the image below to listen to the conversation:

Polysaccharides are carbohydrate structures that produce a long chain of carbon, hydrogen and oxygen cells. They are formed with glycosidic bonds which hold the chain together. In nutrition, polysaccharides are digested in the body and used as potential energy sources. There are many benefits to this macro-molecule. Polysaccharides are a broad term for any sugar molecule that has a glycogen bond.¹

In the skin, polysaccharides are the sugar molecules that create the moisture binding gel-like substance. These molecules can bind up to 1,000 times their weight in moisture and are responsible for the skin’s hydration.²

Polysaccharides are natural components of the skin that potentially have antioxidant properties.³

ExtremeSkinCare Intensive Treatment Balm is a powerful formula that combines polysaccharides, peptides and botanical emollients– with a proven skin protectant to help combat even the most serious skin conditions. This soothing balm helps reduce the unsightly appearance of psoriasis, eczema, and rosacea. Relieves inflamed and irritated skin without steroids!

The new SkinHealth Technology formula contains two marine-based polysaccharides that decrease skin inflammation, protect the skin’s elasticity, and allow more oxygen and nutrition to reach injured skin cells.

1) iHealth Directory

2) Imedeen

3) Cosmetics Cop

According to The National Eczema Association, eczema is a general term for any type of dermatitis or “itchy rash”.  All types of eczemas cause itching and redness and some will blister, weep or peel. There are five subtypes that can affect various areas of the body.

When the condition concentrates in the hands it is usually due to frequent contact with water, chemicals or other irritants, either at home or on the job.

Hand eczema can be particularly bothersome for obvious reasons and difficult to treat because it may be hard to refrain from exposure to the substances or activities that aggravate it.

The links below provide some great information on treatment of this uncomfortable and embarrassing condition and tips on how to make living with it easier.  SkinHealth Technology’s new ExtremeSkinCare Intense Treatment Balm can help bring relief from eczema with its moisturizing, anti-inflammatory, and protective qualities.

Peptides occur naturally in the body, and like proteins, are composed of amino acids. There are twenty different amino acids in the human body. Peptides and proteins in the body are comprised of different combinations and sequences of those amino acids. When a chain of amino acids is over 50 acids long, it is called a protein, when it contains less than 50 amino acids in the chain it is a peptide. So, a peptide is a portion, or a building block, of a protein.

All peptides influence or direct the cells of the body in some way. Different types of peptides influence different types of cells. The peptides used in SkinHealth Technology’s skincare products communicate with and direct the skin cells to behave in a certain way to help heal tough conditions like psoriasis, eczema, rosacea, bruising, and acne.

They utilize glycosaminoglycans, which are peptides that inhibit enzymes that degrade and ultimately destroy the skin’s collagen network. Pollution, ultraviolet rays and age decrease the skin’s ability to resist external irritants. These peptides restore the skin’s normal equilibrium, decrease irritation and help the skin resist external assaults.