2020 has been a rough year around the world. A lot of us were stuck at home, a lot of us lost employment, and tragically, a lot of people succumbed to the novel coronavirus.

Well, the year is finally over, and although 2020’s problems are not going away, we have renewed hope for 2021.

Health is wealth! That has never been more true than now. With that said, we all need to take care of our physical and mental health. Confinement has negatively affected those. It’s important to take care of ourselves. Part of that is caring for our skin, our biggest organ.

There are a few things to do to be kind to our skin:

Make sure your body soap does not contain any harsh chemicals that might do more harm than good. The one to really look at for is Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLS). I see this ingredient show up in many body soaps. Its function is to create a lather. Ironically, most body soaps and shampoos contain this ingredient, and it’s the main cause for dryness. Indeed, it will really dry out your skin (and hair) if you use them. Always check the ingredients on your soap and educate yourself on what they are. This is especially important for those of you who have skin problems (eczema, psoriasis, dermatitis, etc).
Check your laundry soap. Some brands are too harsh on clothes, and the extra perfumes/chemicals (for example, scented fabric softeners) can irritate your skin. There are a lot of gentle detergents out there which should not cause skin irritations.
Your skin routine plays an important role in your general health, especially if you have sensitive or dry skin. Exfoliating regularly, both face and body, will allow your moisturizer to penetrate the skin layer better. The moisturizer you choose should be adapted to your skin type. However, most lotions and creams in the market contain a lot of water and fillers. Be sure to use products that are natural/organic, and again, look at the ingredients! Educate yourself on what they are, and make an informed decision on what to use. Of course, plain vegetable butters and/or oils are healthier alternatives. Those include coconut oil, sweet almond oil, jojoba oil, shea utter, cocoa butter, etc. Again, always look at the ingredient list, because some brands will have a certain “look” and claim to be what they are not. The ingredient list is what we need to look at.

Setting up a routine and taking the time to care for ourselves is crucial to our well-being.

I wish you all a new year with health, prosperity and happiness.