Have a look at the ten points that are listed below and see how many apply to you.

If most or all are true for you and your skin then you can be confident your skin type is dry and follow guidelines given for dry skin.

1. The pores of the skin are small and hardly visible.
2. Skin can feel tight and dry after cleansing when no moisturiser is used.
3. Flaking and dull patches occur on your skin regularly.
4. Severe dry skin can be cracked and even bleed at times.
5. The overall look of the skin is dull and or rough looking.
6. Blemishes and acne are rarely experienced.
7. Hair can also be dry on the rest of the body and the hair can be dry as well.
8. Fine lines and wrinkles form more easily and are more visible on dry skin.
9. Dry skin often has red areas and is sensitive as well.
10. If a tissue is pressed against the skin there is no oily residue left behind.

Some of us suffer from dry skin all year round but for some people dry skin only becomes a problem in winter, in the coldest months of the year. Cold weather can wreak havoc with our skin making it dry, itchy and uncomfortable.  In fact there is a skin condition commonly called winter itch that happens when the skin becomes dried out and irritated in the winter months. Even though the weather can be wet and cold the skin often becomes dried out as we live with central heating which sucks all the moisture out of the air. If we use alternative heat sources, we often sit too close which also has a drying affect on the skin – particularly our faces as this is the part that is uncovered and exposed.

Often we don’t think about moisturising our skin in winter as it is not exposed and on show as it is in the summertime but one of the best things we can do is to moisturise daily. Dry skin is due to lack of moisture so we are adding this back. If we moisturise when the skin is damp after a bath or shower, it will help to trap moisture in the skin. Winter itch can be aggravated by hot water and cleansers that have soaps and detergents as ingredients as these dry out the skin making it worse

Dry Skin Treatment Plan

• Moisturise daily, choose a creamy moisturiser that fully hydrates the skin.

• Dry skin can often be sensitive too, so choose a moisturiser with no irritating ingredients such as colours or perfumes.

• Cleanse gently with a cleanser that does not strip the skin of natural oils that help keep it supple and smooth in the winter months.

• Have lukewarm baths and showers – we tend to have longer, hotter ones in winter that dry out the skin.

• Have a humidifier in the home or at the least bowls of water in the bedroom to help counteract the drying affects of heating in the home.

• Protect your face from the wind and re apply an effective moisturiser if you do need to be outside.

• Treat the skin gently when washing and pat rather than rub dry.

• Seek medical advice if the skin if the mild discomfort of dry skin becomes more severe or the skin cracks or bleeds.

The medical term for dry skin is Xerosis and can be both hereditary and experienced from birth, or may develop later in life. Some people suffer from dry skin all their lives caused by a condition called ichthyosis, commonly called fish- scale skin often seen on the lower legs. The skin forms large dry scaly patches, hence the name. Long standing skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis can cause itchy, dry skin and can be a problem from childhood on.

Getting older itself can cause skin to dry out as our hormones levels change and the condition of our skin changes with it. Prescribed and non prescribed medications can cause the skin to be dry and therefore irritation and itching of the skin can happen or make existing dry skin conditions worse. Other causes of dry skin relate to environmental and lifestyle choices we make that we do have some control such as the ones  listed below.

Where does dry skin most commonly occur?

Dry skin can affect all areas of the body and is most common in the exposed parts of the body. Dry skin is most common on the face, legs, elbows, hands, forearms and between the shoulder blades on the back.

Dry Skin Treatment – What makes dry skin worse?

• Dry air from central heating or air conditioning
• Swimming in chlorinated water
• Dehydration
• Smoking
• Long, hot showers or baths
• Over exposure to the sun
• A moisturiser that is not effective for dry skin
• Using cleanser with harsh drying detergents
• Hot and cold winds
• Skin products with alcohol
• Excess alcohol

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.

There are causes of dry skin that we can control that are  internal such as hydration and diet. Avoiding dehydration is a must for people with dry skin. Drinking adequate water is essential and the amount should be enough to combat the amount of water our bodies naturally lose each day. If we are in a hot climate or exercise, the amount of water we drink needs to compensate for this. Choosing plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables to include in our daily food intake will also increase our water intake.

• Keep your baths and showers short.  Baths and showers can actually be drying for the skin – it temporarily adds moisture but we lose some of the lipid layer and this causes the skin to become even drier.

• Use lukewarm rather than hot water for the same reason

• Pat dry gently rather than rub with a towel.

• Avoid using skin care products with alcohol, perfumes, colourings and other ingredients that may be irritating. Dry skin is often sensitive.

• Avoid cleansers with soap or detergents in them.

• Prolonged exposure to heating and air conditioning and winds.