Dry Skin Problem

Skin dryness can lead to skin feeling tight, itchy and sore, while looking dull, flaky or prematurely aged. E45’s Dr Steve Hewitt says: “If you have dry skin, you may notice your skin is usually tight and possibly rough and flaky. Your pores are almost unnoticeable. After you wash your skin, you can feel it begging for moisture, and in time, dry skin will develop a tendency to become red and irritated.” Dermatologist adds: “Dry skin is less able to attract and retain moisture and often produces less fats and oils than other skin types, leading to the slowing down of the normal shedding of the epidermis. Depending on the degree of dryness, this results in the skin appearing finely lines, taut and in some cases, flaky, scaly, itchy, cracked and chapped.”

There are a number of causes of dry skin. Skin dryness is dependent on various external (exogenous) and internal (endogenous) factors. Typical exogenous factors are climate and environmental factors, including skin contact with chemicals like cleaning agents, UV exposure and the influence of skincare and therapeutic factors such as medicines. Endogenous factors include genetic predisposition, biological skin ageing, hormonal influence and certain dermatological and internal diseases.

Dry Skin Treatment

Treatment of dry skin should focus on replenishing moisture and improving the skin’s barrier so it retains moisture more effectively. A mild cleansing regime that does not further disrupt the skin’s barrier is key-emulsion based cleansers are well suited, plus a rich moisturizer that provides instant and lasting hydration. Glycerin, emollient oils such as shea butter and almond oil, and hyaluronic acid all provide great moisturizing benefits.

Gentle, soap free cleansers are best as they provide effective cleansing with ultimate skin comfort. It is also important to ensure your skin is properly moisturized. Different moisturizers contain various agents to hydrate the skin; for example, paraffin moisturizers act as ‘occlusion’ agents, which prevent water leaving the skin. They are very effective but can clog pores and look greasy. Humectant’s moisturizers draw fluid towards them from deeper down in the skin to the upper layers, rehydrating the outer skin cells to leave skin looking soft and supple. Moisturizers containing colloidal (finely milled) oatmeal, such as Aveeno products, are also particularly beneficial as they are proven to soothe dry skin.

A dry skin demands tender care from you. You must preserve whatever natural oil your skin contains. Besides, it needs extra oils to fight out its dryness. A good nourishing cream should be used twice or thrice daily. Use a good moisturizing lotion before applying make-up.

After removing make-up, an application of nourishing cream helps in keeping your skin moist and greasy. Women with a dry skin need a facial once a week. If you do not want to use a readymade face pack, prepare one at home, by mixing the yolk of an egg with two tablespoons of milk and half a teaspoon of honey. Apply this on your face and leave on for about fifteen minutes. Then wash with lukewarm water.

Over-exposure to the sun further dries the skin and gives it a leathery look. Milk mixed with melted butter helps soften the dry skin. Lanolin, egg yolks, apple juice, peach juice sour cream, melon juice, milk, honey and crushed almonds are helpful for a dry skin. The only consolation for people with a dry skin is that they are spared the agony of acne and pimples