Taking Care of Dry Skin - Causes and Treatments Articles | Skin Care

By: Matthew Hick

Dry skin can be irritating. It’s red, it’s itchy and it flakes. Sufferers know that harsh weather, the make-up they wear, and even the heat used in their homes and offices can irritate already problem skin.

What Causes Dry Skin?
When the skin fails to produce enough of the natural oils called sebum and lipids, the skin can’t form a protective barrier to keep irritants out and moisture in. This causes dryness.
In children, dry skin is common when their oil glands haven’t had a chance to fully mature and work properly. In adults, most dry-skin irritants come from the environment.

How To Treat Dry Skin:
Emollient therapy is an excellent way to keep the skin moist and smooth by replenishing those lost oils. The best skin-care regiment for the dry-skin sufferer includes:

• Washing affected areas daily with a non-soap cleanser. Detergents are known to dry the skin further. Stay away from products containing any type of drying agents. Never use hot water. It too dries the skin, and softly pat dry.
• Use a thick, foamy moisturizer to replenish lost oils. Slather liberally. Don’t worry if you feel greasy at first, any excess will evaporate during the day, leaving the skin feeling soft and supple.
• Reapply moisturizers throughout the day, especially to hands. They tend to dry out more quickly than other parts of the body.
• Add a small amount of emollient oil to a bath in the evening before bed. Pat dry and moisturize all dry areas.

Treating your dry skin with a good skin-care regiment will help keep it under control, but how can sufferers prevent it in the first place?

Avoid Extreme Weather Conditions. Going from a warm office building, out into the sub-zero street, walking to work on a windy day, even skiing on a warm sunny day, can all dry out the skin. Blistering winds sap the moisture from it, leaving skin drier than ever. So do cold temperatures. Keep affected areas well moisturized throughout the day. Use thick, heavy moisturizer to ensure deep penetration. Humidifiers too, are a wonderful way to re-moisturize the air – and your skin.

Avoid Chemicals and Soaps. Strong detergents, soaps, and even-- some perfumes and make-up -- can all dry out the skin. Choose more natural products whenever possible. When wearing any type of make-up start with a moisturizing foundation first.

Stop Smoking. Just another reason to quit, cigarette smoking has been found to dry out the skin, causing damage and wrinkles.

Stay Out Of The Water. Time spent in the water should be monitored carefully by the dry-skin sufferer. Excessive swimming and bathing can all lead to further damage and discomfort.

Wear Cotton. Heavy woolen clothes that do not enable the skin to breathe and may be itchy can irritate the skin further. Try cotton instead. It allows the skin more freedom to breathe, which helps contain moisture in the skin naturally.

Dry skin doesn’t have to be a bother. With some planning and care, even the driest skin can be rejuvenated for a soft and healthy look and feel.