Managing Your Dry Skin

You know what it looks like... unattractive, rough, itchy, patches that are either red or ash colored. Most likely it's your hands, arms, legs, feet and abdomen.It's often worse in the winter, when the heated air inside and cold air outside rob your skin of moisture.

If left unattended, it can lead to cracks which can lead to fissures in the skin.
Some dry skin is hereditary. Some comes with aging, as natural skin oils diminish. Some can accompany medical conditions such as asthma or thyroid disease. But daily skin care habits such as washing with harsh soaps, using sanitizing or harsh cleansing agents, and scrubbing can also cause or worsen dry skin.

Since most dry skin is due to external causes, it responds well to external skin care treatment. Just making a few adjustments to your daily skin care routine can help. No matter what the cause, there are many things you can do to make dry skin smooth and supple.

When you shower or bathe... for most days, dermatologist only advise you wash "the places that smell"... genitals, underarms, feet, where you perspire, etc.

Stop using hot water and instead use lukewarm water and no more than one shower or bath a day.Use a gentle cleanser or shower gel with moisturizer. Select unscented, soap-free, or mild soap cleansers instead of harsh cleansers.

Moisturize while skin is moist. Pat your skin with a towel after you shower or wash your face or hands, leaving it damp. Apply a moisturizer within three to five minutes of washing to lock moisture in your skin.

Ingredients to Look for in a Moisturizer

You don't need expensive lotions, you need good ingredients. It’s not necessary to pay a fortune for a good, rich moisturizer. Read the label. Ingredients that may be helpful for dry skin include:

Ceramides. Ceramides help the skin hold water and soothe dry skin. Synthetic ceramides may mimic the natural substances in the outermost layer of skin that help keep moisture in.
Dimethicone and glycerin. These draw water to the skin and retain it there.
Hyaluronic acid. Like ceramides, hyaluronic acid helps skin hold water.
Lanolin, mineral oil, and petroleum jelly. These keep water in the skin that has been absorbed during bathing.

Be sure to apply sunscreen to areas of your body that are exposed to the sun during the day.Look for a sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or more.

These strategies can also help make your skin supple and smooth:

Plug in a humidifier at home to help keep skin hydrated when indoor air is dry during winter months.

Wear cotton and other natural fibers. Wool, synthetics, or other fabrics can be scratchy and irritating.

Drink plenty of water.

Eat omega-3 foods. Essential fatty acids can help fortify the skin’s natural oil-retaining barriers. Foods rich in omega-3 include cold-water fish (salmon, halibut, sardines), flax, walnuts, and safflower oil.