dry skin

[okapi]

Ugh...my skin has been so so dry while low carbing. I have read about how most people's skin looks and feels so much better when they are on low carb, but mine has been dry, itchy and rashy (increases in eczema flare-ups).

I definitely eat a lot of fat every day. I've tried coconut oil and a vitamin e/coconut oil blend (from Trader Joes) in addition to just regular lotions.

Anyone else experience such a thing? Or have any recommendations??

I'd like to crawl out of my skin today b/c of the itchiness.

[LowCarbinChica]

do you have any redness on your skin?

Also, is it your face or body that's dry?

[skysierra]

How much water are you drinking? If you aren't getting enough that can lead to dry skin issues.

[SlapHappy]

Yes, I have this and I think it is thyroid related. Too many people find their dry skin so much better on low carb for me to think it is the diet. Dry skin all over, face is the worst.

[okapi]

Originally Posted by LowCarbinChica

do you have any redness on your skin?

Also, is it your face or body that's dry?

My face it combo with dry spots and flaking in some areas and other areas that seem fine. It doesn't follow the typical T-zone thing either--my forehead is often itchy and flaky and it seems dry around my nose, but my chin and cheeks are fine and my chin is oily. My body is quite dry all over but especially itchy in certain areas and small patches (dime to quarter-sized eczema outbreaks in certain areas. The only redness is where the eczema is...but there is just general rough dry skin elsewhere (stomach, back, arms, legs...)

<scratch, scratch, scratch>

[okapi]

Originally Posted by skysierra

How much water are you drinking? If you aren't getting enough that can lead to dry skin issues.

I drink about 64 ounces a day and have about 15-20 ounces of other liquids also (usually rooibos tea, but sometimes caffeine free soda sweetened with splenda or coffee/stevia. I also eat a ton of veggies and some fruits, which I think have a high water content too (such as celery, cucumbers, berries).

Something to think about though. Thanks for the response!

Katie

[okapi]

Originally Posted by SlapHappy

Yes, I have this and I think it is thyroid related. Too many people find their dry skin so much better on low carb for me to think it is the diet. Dry skin all over, face is the worst.

Thanks for the response. I will have my thyroid checked out at next Dr.'s appointment.

[LowCarbinChica]

Okay, it looks like your skin is super-irritated. Make sure your skincare is all hypoallergenic, non-comedogenic, and fragrance-free. If you don't want to spend a lot of money on skincare, just switch immediately to Cetaphil cleanser + moisturizer. Make sure your shampoo is also fragrance free so it doesn't cause irritation as it drips on your face.

Make sure you use nothing with acid on it in your skincare as that's a major contraindication in people with eczema. (no exfoliant, moisturizer, or cleanser with salicylic acid, lactic acid, glycolic acid etc.)

Also, you should avoid excessively spicy food, or things with msg, nitrates/nitrites.

[thestreets]

Try some organic jojoba oil. I love it. It makes my skin super soft and just right (not dry, not oily, non-comedogenic, and it's great for sensitive skin ). I don't use any commercial moisturizers/lotions because they all have sooo much crap in them and I don't want all those nasties absorbed into my bloodstream.

Do you take any fish oils? those can dramatically improve the skin, but take around 3 months to show effects.

[Synesthetic]

I agree with the fish oils and also I take 5 capsules of Tonalin CLA a day and it cuts down the itchy madness. Swansons has a well-priced bottle.

I also want to say that Okapis are pretty much my favorite animal.

I hope your skin feels better!

[okapi]

Originally Posted by LowCarbinChica

Okay, it looks like your skin is super-irritated. Make sure your skincare is all hypoallergenic, non-comedogenic, and fragrance-free. If you don't want to spend a lot of money on skincare, just switch immediately to Cetaphil cleanser + moisturizer. Make sure your shampoo is also fragrance free so it doesn't cause irritation as it drips on your face.

Make sure you use nothing with acid on it in your skincare as that's a major contraindication in people with eczema. (no exfoliant, moisturizer, or cleanser with salicylic acid, lactic acid, glycolic acid etc.)

Also, you should avoid excessively spicy food, or things with msg, nitrates/nitrites.

Thanks for the suggestions!

[okapi]

Originally Posted by thestreets

Try some organic jojoba oil. I love it. It makes my skin super soft and just right (not dry, not oily, non-comedogenic, and it's great for sensitive skin ). I don't use any commercial moisturizers/lotions because they all have sooo much crap in them and I don't want all those nasties absorbed into my bloodstream.

Do you take any fish oils? those can dramatically improve the skin, but take around 3 months to show effects.

Thanks for the response!
I bought some cod liver oil...but can't get past the taste and thought of it. Will maybe try some fish oil capsules. I do have some jojoba oil...will try that too.
Thanks!

[okapi]

Originally Posted by Synesthetic

I agree with the fish oils and also I take 5 capsules of Tonalin CLA a day and it cuts down the itchy madness. Swansons has a well-priced bottle.

I also want to say that Okapis are pretty much my favorite animal.

I hope your skin feels better!

Thanks for the suggestion! Have never heard of Tonalin CLA so I will look that up.

I love that you know what an Okapi is! They are such intriguing animals to me....and beautiful.

[Synesthetic]

Originally Posted by okapi

Thanks for the suggestion! Have never heard of Tonalin CLA so I will look that up.

I love that you know what an Okapi is! They are such intriguing animals to me....and beautiful.

Oh they are beautiful!

Tonalin is often sold as a diet aid because I guess it speeds fat burning (I haven't noticed that). Consequently, you can often find it overpriced with fancy labels.

But it's fantastic for skin!! I love it and feel a huge difference when I take it faithfully. Like I said, I usually get it from Swansons Vitamins just because it's a better price (I think it's something like 13 bucks for 120 capsules).

I take 5 and find the Boston winters are not so rough on my usually miserable skin now.

Good luck, lovely okapi!

[okapi]

Originally Posted by Synesthetic

Oh they are beautiful!

Tonalin is often sold as a diet aid because I guess it speeds fat burning (I haven't noticed that). Consequently, you can often find it overpriced with fancy labels.

But it's fantastic for skin!! I love it and feel a huge difference when I take it faithfully. Like I said, I usually get it from Swansons Vitamins just because it's a better price (I think it's something like 13 bucks for 120 capsules).

I take 5 and find the Boston winters are not so rough on my usually miserable skin now.

Good luck, lovely okapi!

Thanks again! Awesome info. I lived in Boston for a couple of years so I've experienced those winters! Chicago winters are rough too...in fact, it is snowing here right now...so even Spring can be rough! Going to look for the Tonalin. Thanks!

[ShesSuperCool]

I had the same issues too on my face. I didn't understand how it could be soooo dry and flaky in some places and so oily in others. My best friend told me to try using a shampoo without sodium laureth sulfate (I think that's how it's spelled) and use tea tree oil after. She says this helped straighten her skin up too.

I found a shampoo at Walgreens that covered both bases called Jason Tea Tree shampoo. I can't stand it in my hair because it doesn't lather but I use it twice a day all over my face and once at least right up into my scalp. I haven't had ANY trouble with my skin since the day after I started using it. The best part was it's REALLY cheap compared to good skin cleanser. I should know, given how many I'd tried with no help!

I also like Olay definity as a tinted moisturizer instead of foundation. It makes my skin look dewy and smooth instead of flaky. I am not a make-up person at all but it really looks nice.

[okapi]

Originally Posted by ShesSuperCool

I had the same issues too on my face. I didn't understand how it could be soooo dry and flaky in some places and so oily in others. My best friend told me to try using a shampoo without sodium laureth sulfate (I think that's how it's spelled) and use tea tree oil after. She says this helped straighten her skin up too.

I found a shampoo at Walgreens that covered both bases called Jason Tea Tree shampoo. I can't stand it in my hair because it doesn't lather but I use it twice a day all over my face and once at least right up into my scalp. I haven't had ANY trouble with my skin since the day after I started using it. The best part was it's REALLY cheap compared to good skin cleanser. I should know, given how many I'd tried with no help!

I also like Olay definity as a tinted moisturizer instead of foundation. It makes my skin look dewy and smooth instead of flaky. I am not a make-up person at all but it really looks nice.

I actually already have that shampoo! I don't love it but have been using it more lately to see if it helps...no change for me yet though...
Thanks for the response!

[fawn]

Get your essential fatty acids in order and your skin will glow.