Tips For Taking Care Of Dry Skin

Dry skin is a common problem which affects most adults at some point. It can also affect babies and children, especially if they suffer from conditions such as eczema and dermatitis. Besides medical conditions, dry skin can be caused by the climate, a poor skincare routine, and it can also be the result of aging.

Dry skin is prone to redness, flaking, itching, cracking, and bleeding or weeping. It may even lead to premature lines and wrinkles. Fortunately, it is a treatable condition, and there are plenty are very effective products on the market which are designed to ease the problem. Here are some points to bear in mind for soft healthy skin all year round.

1. Avoid long hot baths and showers

Excessive bathing can strip away the skin’s natural oils, especially if you use hot water. Keep the temperature lukewarm, and try and limit your bath or shower to ten minutes, once a day.

2. Use hypoallergenic soap

Soaps can be very harsh and drying. Look for hypoallergenic products which are fragrance free, and do not contain foaming agents. For babies, it is especially important to choose a gentle formula, such as simple baby wash. Use sparingly, and avoid working up a thick lather.

You could also look for soap alternatives, which are moisturising and lotion based, and just as effective as cleaning as regular soaps. Don’t attempt to scrub or exfoliate your skin with loofahs or flannels. Instead, pat yourself dry lightly with a soft towel.

3. Moisturise moisturise moisturise!

Immediately after bathing or washing your hands, always apply a moisturiser which is suitable for sensitive skin, and contains no perfume, alcohol, or colouring. This will help to form a barrier to seal in the moisture. Petroleum jelly is very effective, but it can be too heavy and greasy for some people.

If the waxier substances don’t appeal, you may prefer to look for ingredients such as shea butter or cocoa butter, or some of the lighter baby oils.

4. Wear gloves

Always wear gloves when going outdoors in cold dry weather, and for performing tasks where you will have your hands in water, especially warm soapy water. Our hands are often the first area to dry out, and can be the hardest to bring back to a healthy state, because they are frequently in contact with water.

If you find that your hands are constantly dry and cracked, slather them in a heavy-duty oil-based moisturiser at night, and pop on a pair of soft cotton gloves to avoid transferring the grease onto your bedclothes.

5. Avoid low humidity

Our skin tends to feel softer in spells of high humidity, because there is more moisture in the air which is retained by our skin. If you live in an area that tends to be dry, it may be worth investing in a humidifier to keep some moisture in the atmosphere.

6. Choose laundry detergents carefully

Highly perfumed biological washing powders and laundry tablets can be very irritating for sensitive skin. Look for non-biological products which do not contain fragrance or colouring. Choose natural fibres such as cotton, which tend to be gentler on the skin that synthetics.