Do you ever wonder why your shelves are filled with 10 different skin care products and you still find yourself looking for the one that really will get rid of dry skin and give you the beautiful skin you're looking for? There's a good possibility that you're looking in the wrong store, on the wrong shelves, and for the wrong solution: the problem might be in your gut.

While it is necessary to prevent moisture loss and protect the skin against damage from household and environmental chemicals - a good external natural skin care treatment like a shielding lotion works wonders - your skin will be less of a problem if you also protect it from the inside. Repairing your inner ecosystem is an easy way to do it.

What is an ecosystem? "Ecosystem" is a contraction of the words "ecology" and "system". It refers to the combination of living and non-living factors that determine the characteristics of a particular entity. All ecosystems are built to take a certain amount of abuse -- but when you take it too far, the system ceases to function. Taken further, they actually become harmful. Industrial pollutants in water is a good example -- not only does the water no longer supply the minerals we need, it is actually dangerous to drink.

The same is true of the ecosystem inside the human body, the inner ecosystem. If you pollute it, and don't keep it in balance, it turns on you -- and the first place you'll probably notice it is in your skin. It becomes pale, blotchy, sallow or yellowed and, next thing you know, you're searching the shelves for yet another skin care product that will resolve the problem. However, most of the products on the shelves will exacerbate the situation -- that's why you need natural skin care solutions, inside and out.

It's true that some of the problems are external -- industrial pollutants in the air that end up in the water invariably also land on you, which is why you need the protection of a good external natural skin care product -- but there's still a chance that your inner ecosystem is also part of the problem.

A simple remedy for the internal end of the problem is probiotics, taken internally, not applied as a cream or lotion. The best sources are fermented foods - natural yogurt, get it at the health food store, kefir, fermented vegetables and algae. Acidophilus and other probiotic supplements can also be used, but you're better off with food.

Adding probiotics to your diet is one very simple step you can take to improve your health, and remedy dry skin and other skin problems in the process. Along with a good, natural skin care treatment that keeps moisture in and chemicals out, you should see good results in no time!