Dry Skin What are the signs of skin that's too dry? If your skin feels at all dry, then it is probably too dry. If your skin is too dry, there may be flaking, small cracks may form in the skin, or round patches of irritated skin may form. The dry areas may result in dermatitis, i.e. the skin will be red or itchy or both. How can I treat it? A natural active moisturizer is the first treatment you should try. Skin becomes dry because it has lost its elasticity. Active moisturizers have a healing fraction as well as a moisturizing fraction. The healing fraction restores elasticity. We particularly recommend shea butter because it has the highest healing fraction of all of the active moisturizers. Be sure to avoid petroleum-based products. Petroleum-based moisturizers have no healing effect. They simply trap moisture on the surface of the skin, and they keep the skin from breathing and thus can accelerate the aging process. When you wash, be sure to use a mild soap since harsh soaps dry the skin. Soaps made from shea, hemp or palm oils make a mild, smooth, creamy lather, have good cleansing properties, and they dry the skin the least. How long will it take to go away If you apply an active moisturizer to your skin two or three times a day, you are likely to begin to see an improvement within a week. If dry skin continues to be a problem, you may want to consult a skin care specialist. Severe flaky, itchy and cracked skin may be a sign of a more serious problem. What causes skin to dry out? Factors which contribute to dry skin include: - Loss of skin elasticity - as your skin becomes less elastic, it becomes drier.
- Excessive bathing, showering or swimming (especially in strongly chlorinated water).
- Contact with detergents and solvents.
- Increasing age, resulting in decreased natural lubrication.
- Cool weather with low humidity.
- Air conditioning, central heating or sitting close to a fire or fan heater.
- Metabolic factors - dry skin is more common in those with an underactive thyroid, or with excessive weight loss, whatever its cause.
Articles about Dry SkinDry skin means lack of water, not lack of oil. A study from Denmark shows that daily use of some skin creams can make the skin even more sensitive to irritants such as soaps and alcohol.
The researchers asked people to apply either a high or low-fat moisturizing cream on the upper arm, 3 times a ... [read more] Dry skin has no permanent cure but the skin can be softened and made smoother by using a few remedies. Most popularly, lotions and creams are used to soothe the dry skin. Using a mild soap or a cleansing body wash might eliminate the problem temporarily. However, this option can turn out to be prett ... [read more] Most people who think they know all about dry skin, chapped skin, chafing, redness and other signs of skin dehydration really don't. Take this quiz to make sure you know who your skin's enemies are. [read more] Dry skin, also referred to as xerosis or eczema or asteatosis, and erroneously as icthyosis, is a multi-faceted condition which periodically afflicts most of the population regardless of race or sex at one time or another, and through a wide age range. Dry skin may become more pronounced with aging ... [read more] As we get older our skin produces less of the natural oil that helps it retain its moisture. There are many contributing factors that can dry our skin. For example, excessive bathing in hot water, or very dry air can cause your skin to become dry. Dry skin can be prevented. The key is to seal moistu ... [read more] |
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