Dry Skin Help

Dry, Itchy Skin

More than half of older adults suffer from dry itchy skin. Your skin becomes even drier when humidity is lower in the winter and in dry climates.

To combat dry, itchy skin, try these dry skin help tips:

Avoid using harsh soaps, which are very drying to skin. Use mild, defatted or glycerin soaps.
Stay away from antibacterial and deodorant soaps.
Not only are they very drying to the skin and can clog pores, they leave a soap film and over-use of any antibacterial product will eventually not be effective. (just like antibiotics) See article below about Antibacterial Products and Germs.

Bathing properly can also help. Follow these steps:

Soak rather than shower — Most people use hotter water for showers than for tub bathing. But hot water can dry skin. Experts used to think frequent bathing was drying to skin. Now they recommend daily soaking, immersed for 10 minutes in water no warmer than about 100 degrees Fahrenheit.

Pat dry — First brush away excess water with your hands. Then pat or blot your skin with a towel — never rub. Leave your skin moist.

Apply a moisturizer — (Seal moisture into your skin by applying bath oil/moisturizer to still-damp skin). Try to do this within 3 minutes before your skin dries completely.

There are two types of dry skin. Simple dry skin and complex dry skin.

Simple dry skin is a result from a lack of natural oils. This condition most often affects people under the age of thirty to forty. Complex dry skin lacks both oil and moisture. Fine lines, brown spots, enlarged pores and sagging skin are signs of complex dry skin.

The proteins that make up the skin are elastin, collagen and keratin. These protein's may be damaged by exposure to sun.

Dry skin tends to be dull-looking, scaly and flaky and develops wrinkles and fine lines easier. Chapping and cracking are signs of extremely dry, dehydrated skin.

A balance of oil and moisture are crucial for healthy, attractive skin. Oil is secreted by the sebaceous glands and lubricates the skin's surface. Moisture is the water present inside the skin cells, and comes to the cells through the bloodstream. It is the water in the skin cells that keeps them plumped up, healthy, and young looking.

Oil and moisture work together. There must be enough moisture in the skin cells, but there must also be enough oil to act as a shield, preventing excessive evaporation of moisture from the skin's top layers.

Nutritional deficiencies, especially Vitamin A and the B Vitamins, also cause dry skin.

Drinking plenty of water every day will help keep your skin hydrated.
Eating raw vegetables and fruits is recommended as well. Yellow and orange vegetables are high in beta-carotene which is a source of Vitamin A. Foods high in sulfur, help keep the skin smooth. Good sulpher sources are garlic, onions, eggs and asparagus.

At least twice a week, exfoliate to remove dead skin cells and boost circulation. For more information on exfoliating, go to "Skincare" from the menu on the left.

Moisturize as many times a day as you feel necessary. Use a liquid moisturizer or a facial oil that has nutrients and other natural ingredients. Stay away from solid or waxy type creams. Look for products that contain humectants such as glycerine and Vitamin E. Humectants attract moisture to the skin.

In the winter, using central heat is very drying to the air, thus drying the skin even more. Make sure you use a humidifier or place cups of water throughout your home to put moisture back in the air.

You may try using a facial mask once a week to clarify your skin and remove dull, dry skin. (do this after a good facial steam for best results; read "Home Facials" from the link below this article) Honey is a good "in your cabinet" facial mask. You can mix the honey with a clay such as green clay powder. One teaspoon of each should be mixed and applied for about fifteen minutes. Rinse with warm water and apply moisturizer to still damp skin. Remember......Never use HOT water!!!