Skin care

Your kitchen, not the drugstore, may hold the secret to achieving healthy, vibrant skin. The list of culprits that can cause dry skin is a long one, from daily bathing habits (think hot showers and scrubbing yourself dry with a towel) and wicked winter weather to a lack of natural oils in your skin as you age. The good news is that you don’t necessarily need to visit a dermatologist to heal your dry skin. Instead, consider adding a natural remedy to your skin care routine at home. In fact, the ingredients for these dry-skin remedies might already be in your kitchen. Why Opt for a Natural Dry Skin Remedy Rather Than Buy a Product Given the countless skin products available, a natural remedy may be worth trying, says Christine Lopez, MD, a dermatologist and vice-chair of the department of dermatology at the Cleveland Clinic in Ohio. Natural oils and remedies tend to be pure, Dr. Lopez says, which makes them a better choice for many people. "Other over-the-counter

      I am 30 and have quite a few acne scars on my face. I have tried a few medicated creams, but they don't seem to work. Is there anything you can suggest that would help me? — Blip, United Kingdom There are several ways to improve the appearance of your acne scars, depending on their color, texture, and size. Dark, discolored acne scars can be lightened with prescription-strength fading creams, such as Tri-Luma and EpiQuin Micro. These are especially helpful in individuals with darker skin tones, who, because they have more melanin in their skin, are more likely to develop dark blemishes even after their pimples heal, a condition called postinflammatory hyperpigmentation. If the fading creams don't lighten the scars, a dermatologist can perform a chemical peel to help even out the skin tone. If your scars have left you with uneven skin texture, new devices such as the Affirm and Fraxel lasers can help smooth the skin's surface. These minimally