Your skin uses the moisture in your body to stay hydrated and nourished. When you get dehydrated, the water in your body is used for the highest priority functions, like blood flow, before it is used in the skin. By drinking at least eight 8 oz glasses of water per day, the skin all over your body will stay hydrated and not dry out quickly. Try to avoid alcohol and caffeine whenever possible as these can heighten the itchiness of dry feet. Diuretics used to decrease the amount of water in the body or topical or oral retinoids used to treat acne can cause temporary dry skin. If the side effect of dry skin is present for more than two weeks, discuss a potential medication change with your physician. Cotton socks allow your feet to breathe and dry off if you’re sweating. Keeping sweat against your skin will increase the rate at which moisture leaves the skin and your feet dry out.  Change your socks daily or after sweating (e.g., from a workout or a long walk). Wash them well after each use. Sleep in socks after you moisturize your feet each night. Avoid wearing the same pair of shoes day in and day out. Your feet need to breathe in order to retain moisture so try to wear supportive sandals during the summer or other shoes with air pockets. During the winter, avoid wearing your heavy winter boots indoors at work or school and instead bring another pair of lighter and more breathable shoes to change into. Harsh soaps do not get you any cleaner than one that is gentle to your skin. However, they do dry out your skin and leave you prone to dry skin. Harsh soaps deplete the fats in your skin, which leaves your skin feeling tight and dry. Dermatologists often recommend soaps with a high glycerin content, such as pure glycerin bar soaps and naturally made bar soaps. You can find these at most drug stores and all natural health stores. Instead of a having a hot shower or bath, keep the water at a warm temperature and limit your time to less than 10 minutes in the water. Hot water and low humidity in the air reduce the water in the outer layer of in the skin, which results in skin that feels tight and dry. A good rule of thumb is to set your water temperature in the shower/bath to one that feels comfortable but that doesn't make your skin red.
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One-sentence summary -- Stay hydrated. Watch the side effects of any medications you are taking. Wear cotton socks. Wear shoes that allow your feet to breathe. Avoid harsh, drying soaps. Use warm water in the shower or bath.


The park’s website lists all of the expenses you’ll incur during your trip:  General admission to the park is free. Those wishing to camp on one of the islands will be charged a fee of $15 per campsite per night. The money is used to help preserve the park. Reservations must be made ahead of time, and can be arranged via the National Recreation Reservation Service website. Reservations can be made no more than 5 months in advance. Visitors who choose to access the islands by boat will be charged between $50 and 75 round trip per person. Children aged 2 and under travel free. Those bringing surfboards along will be charged extra. Reservations can be made either by contacting the park’s visitor center or through the Island Packers Cruises website. Visitors who elect to access the islands by plane can do so via Channel Islands Aviation. Costs vary depending on which experience you choose. Day trip flights cost roughly $150 to 160 per adult round trip, and $125 to 135 per child. Exclusive camping trip charters are also available during the summer months at a cost of $300 per person (minimum 4 campers), $1,600 for a seven-passenger charter from Camarillo, and $2,000 for a seven-passenger charter from Santa Barbara. As with most national parks, Channel Islands has restrictions on where visitors can go, and what they can do. For example, Channel Islands emphasizes limiting visitors’ footprints during their stay. Visitors are asked to avoid areas where animals are nesting, limit the use of artificial light at night, and stay out of caves altogether. The park website contains a detailed list of restrictions and allowances; studying these is an absolute must for anyone planning to make a visit.
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One-sentence summary -- Read up on all of the fees involved in a visit to the Channel Islands. Learn the rules of the park.


Besides being rich in protein and vitamin D (both are key to strong hair), salmon contains omega-3 fatty acids, which are essential for healthy hair. About 3% of the hair shaft is made up of omega-3 fatty acids, which are also found in cell membranes in the skin of the scalp, and in the natural oils that keep the scalp and hair hydrated. If salmon doesn't thrill you, you can also get essential fatty acids from fish like herring, sardines, trout, and mackerel, as well as avocado and pumpkin seeds. Walnuts are the only type of nut that have a significant amount of omega-3 fatty acids. They're also rich in biotin and vitamin E, which helps protect cells from DNA damage. Walnuts also have copper, a mineral that helps keep your natural hair color rich and lustrous. Try using walnut oil in your salad dressing or stir-fry instead of canola or safflower oil. Oysters are rich in zinc, a lack of which can lead to hair loss (even eyelashes), as well as a dry, flaky scalp. Just three ounces of oysters contain almost five times your daily zinc requirement. They also boast a high level of protein. Zinc can also be found in  nuts, beef, eggs and fortified cereals and whole grain breads. Sweet potatoes are a great source of the antioxidant beta carotene, which your body turns into vitamin A. Vitamin A helps produce and protect the oils that nourish the scalp. A lack of vitamin A can lead to a dry, itchy scalp and problems with dandruff. Carrots, cantaloupe, mangoes, pumpkin, and apricots are all good sources of beta carotene. A great source of protein, eggs are loaded with four key minerals: zinc, selenium, sulfur, and iron. Iron is especially important, because it helps cells carry oxygen to the hair follicles, and too little iron can lead to anemia, which is a major cause of hair loss, particularly in women.  In addition to other nutrients, eggs are a natural source of the b-vitamin biotin, which supports healthy hair.  You can also boost your iron stores by eating animal products, including chicken, fish, pork, and beef. Spinach is a super-food containing iron, beta carotene, folate, and vitamin C which combine to help keep hair follicles healthy and scalp oils circulating. If you're not a spinach fan, try eating similarly nutrient-rich dark, leafy vegetables such as broccoli, kale, and Swiss chard. Tiny but mighty, these legumes are teeming with protein, iron, zinc, and biotin, making them a great staple for vegetarians, vegans, and meat eaters alike. Greek yogurt is high in hair-friendly protein, vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid -- an ingredient you'll often see on hair care product labels), and vitamin D, which emerging research links with hair follicle health. Other similarly beneficial dairy products include cottage cheese, low-fat cheese, and skim milk. Blueberries are a super fruit with numerous health benefits, but it's their high vitamin C content which really helps keep hair in top shape. Vitamin C is critical for boosting circulation to the scalp, supporting the tiny blood vessels that feed the hair follicles. Too little vitamin C in your diet can lead to hair breakage. Nothing beats poultry for providing protein, along with hair-healthy zinc, iron, and B vitamins to keep strands strong and plentiful. Because hair is nearly all protein, foods rich in protein are literally the building blocks for great hair. Lean cuts of beef are another good source of protein. Although maintaining a healthy diet is an excellent way to get the vitamins necessary for healthy hair, taking a vitamin supplement can make it easier to ensure that you are getting all of your daily requirements. The top 5 vitamin supplements you should take for healthy hair are biotin, vitamin A, vitamin E, vitamin B5 and Inositol. Remember to check with your health care professional before adding any supplements to your diet.
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One-sentence summary --
Eat salmon. Eat walnuts. Eat oysters. Eat sweet potatoes. Eat eggs. Eat spinach. Eat lentils. Eat Greek yogurt. Eat blueberries. Eat poultry. Take a supplement.