How To Take Care Of Dry Skin

Most of the time dry skin is not something to be too concerned about. Simple dry skin is easily treatable and usually responds quickly to a dry skin care skincare regime. Dry skin can be easily irritated so it is important to use skin care products that do not irritate the skin. Look for products that have no perfumes, colourings, fragrances or chemicals that may irritate sensitive skin. Dry skin and sensitive skin can often go hand in hand.

Dry skin has a relatively low level of sebum or oil production and look parched – a result of its inability to retain moisture.  Moisturisers should be able to keep the skin hydrated all day and keep the skin supple and smooth. This is important to the function of the skin but also the feel – dry skin can feel tight and uncomfortable. Moisturising also locks in moisture and is best done after cleansing when the skin is still moist.

Avoid using any soap on the skin. Soaps and detergents can be very alkaline which also can be drying to the skin. Although the skin needs to be thoroughly clean at the end of the day to remove the build up of dirt and impurities, a creamy cleanser that will not strip the skin of its natural oils will clean gently and effectively.

Keep your dry skin well hydrated by drinking water throughout the day.  If the weather is hot or you have been exercising you will need to increase your intake.  Flying can also sap your skin of moisture – the humidity inside an aircraft can reach as low as 1% and be very hard on already dry skin..Caffeine and alcohol can also act as a diuretic and cause you to lose water so keep these to a minimum. If you live or work in buildings that are air conditioned or centrally heated you will also be losing moisture from the skin so compensate by drinking more or by having a humidifier.

If you suffer from dry skin on the body, limit the length of your showers and baths  and moisturise all over while the skin is still damp.  A traditional way to bathe dry skin that is also sensitive is to have an oatmeal bath that will soften and soothe the skin.  Try to limit the length of your bath and keep the temperature down and pat your skin dry gently.

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Dry Skin Basics – Prevention

Dry skin – prevention is better than cure

Dry skin is a common skin type but shouldn’t be ignored as it could lead to further problems. A good skin care regime can not only help treat dry skin but may also play a preventative role in some skin conditions. Has your skin suddenly become red and inflamed? Or dry and itchy? You may have a skin condition called contact dermatitis. Untreated dry skin can result in dermatitis. Moisturisers can play an important role by helping to keep skin well hydrated and maintaining the integrity of the skin barrier, thus helping to prevent some skin conditions. Choose a moisturiser that is high in ingredients that will keep the skin hydrated all day long – try the skinsaviour range of products. Skinsaviour is especially formulated to soothe and hydrate dry skin with ingredients designed to help preserve the integrity of the skin barrier.

Severe dry skin can also be prevented by following a skin care regime for dry skin. Over time dry skin can become worse and therefore is harder to treat.  Severe dry skin can lead to cracking of the skin which makes it more prone to bacterial infections as the skins’ defence barrier is broken. Within a few minutes of having a shower or washing your face and body, smooth on a moisturiser to help lock in moisture and prevent dry skin.  Look for moisturisers that contain Shea butter, Olive Oil, Hyaluronic acid and other natural moisturising factors that soothe and fully hydrate dry skin. Keeping the skin well moisturised is also a preventative for fine line formation – the drier the skin the more the skin is prone to fine lines forming

Our skin is naturally protected by oils that keep it moist and soft. Therefore it is important to keep to minimum, external factors that we can control that strip the skin of this vital physical barrier.

Some of these factors include:

• Long hot baths and showers
• Swimming
• Cold windy weather
• Hot windy weather
• Sun exposure
• Dry saunas
• Harsh soaps and detergents
• Over cleansing
• Clothing that makes us itch
• Sun exposure
• Radiators
• Air conditioning
• Indoor heating

Many of these external factors we can regulate or keep to a minimum. Combined with a skin care regime especially formulated to deal with dry skin we find that we can easily keep our dry skin supple and smooth and looking its best, while preventing further skin problems.

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Dry skin and hands

Hands are often a neglected part of the daily skin care routine but are always on display and one the first parts of the body to show signs of aging. Simple steps to take care of them will give you better looking hands and nails and the first step is prevention of further damage. Hands are often exposed to the sun, particularly when we are driving, but often a  forgotten part of the body when applying sun block. A broad spectrum sun block should be applied whenever we are outdoors – keep some in the car to remind yourself to apply it. Age spots we see on people’s hands are not really as a result of getting older but of accumulative sun damage.

Hand care

Hands tend to have problems with dryness rather than oiliness as there are fewer glands that produce sebum. Therefore we need to replace the moisture we lose from the constant immersion in water that they undergo daily. Cleaning agents and detergents can be harsh and drying to the skin so the use of rubber gloves when doing dishes or cleaning is advisable. The same applies to gardening – gloves will serve to protect the hands and less scrubbing will be need to clean them. If gloves don’t appeal, the use of a good barrier cream will help stop chemicals and dirt entering the skin.

What to avoid

• Very hot and very cold water
• Harsh soaps and detergents that remove natural oils
• Sun damage from sun exposure
• Cleaning chemicals
• Nail products containing acetone or formaldehyde

What to do to look after your hands

• Always use a broad spectrum sun block
• Use gloves when gardening and using cleaning chemicals
• Avoid immersion in overly hot water and harsh detergents
• Use a hand moisturiser frequently to prevent the skin from drying out
• Moisturise after washing the hands
• Treat  them to a warm oil massage for deep moisturising

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What can I do to help dry skin?

Dry skin is often sensitive which means you will need skincare products that are very safe and gentle. The good news is you are less likely to suffer from pimples and acne but dry skin has its own special needs to keep it looking its best. Skin care products will need to be very hydrating and this moisturising effect should be as long lasting as possible, to ensure the skin does not dry out over the course of the day. If you are subjected to air conditioners or central heating you may need to reapply moisturiser during the day.

The moisturiser should be a creamy texture and have natural oils such as jojoba, rose, rice bran and avocado that will help preserve the integrity of the skin barrier to retain moisture.  Avoid the use of products with astringents or alcohol that can be too drying and can irritate the skin. Cleansers for dry skin should be free of soaps and detergents as these can quickly strip away the natural oils that are found on the skin and help protect it. A creamy formula is best for dry skins.

• Use lukewarm water, gentle drying and products without ingredients to irritate dry skin.

• Invest in a humidifier, this will help with both central heating and air conditioning.

• Apply a moisturiser to the skin immediately after cleansing to retain maximum moisture in the skin.

• Drink plenty of water – several small glasses throughout the day is easier if you are not a big water drinker – little and often makes it easier.

• Use skin care products that are high in ingredients that attract and hold the moisture, keeping the integrity of the lipid layer.

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