How to Combat Dry Skin
Dry skin is simply annoying for some, while for others it causes real discomfort. Not only does dry skin tend to itch more, but it can also aggravate certain skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis.
It's important to understand that when we talk about "dryness," we're not just talking about a lack of moisture. What really counts are the lipids (or "oils") inside the skin.
When your skin's natural oils are lost, the outer layer becomes dry and cracked. That lets allergens, irritants, and bacteria get in. For people with sensitive skin, this can cause redness and itching, which then leads to scratching. Scratching opens the skin more, lets in even more bacteria and allergens, and a vicious itch-scratch cycle begins.
The number one way we strip our skin of its natural oils is through improper or overly aggressive bathing.
Treatments for Dry Skin
If dryness of your skin is a problem, please follow these steps:
Do not take long, hot showers or baths.
Taking a long, hot shower may be relaxing, but it's one of the easiest ways to dissolve the natural oils from your skin. This isn't to say that you need to take cold showers or baths, either. Just keep the shower or bath water comfortably warm, but stay in just long enough to get the job done.
Avoid harsh cleansers and instead use brands such as Dove®, Cetaphil®, or CeraVe®.
A mild cleanser will be gentle on your skin and less likely to strip your own natural oils.
When you moisturize, use an unscented moisturizer that contains ceramides.
Ceramides mimic your skin's natural lipids — CeraVe® is a good example. It's also best to apply moisturizer within 3 minutes of getting out of the shower or bath.
Do not regularly use soap all over your body.
This is probably the most important step. The average person who works indoors in a clean, air-conditioned environment simply doesn't need to aggressively cleanse their skin every day. Significant body odor can only come from three areas: the underarms, the bottom/groin area, and the feet. These are the areas that can be washed daily with cleanser without causing too much dryness. For adults past puberty, most of the trunk and the "extremities" (shoulders to hands and hips to ankles) don't create significant body odor. The sweat produced in these areas is water-soluble, so water alone is enough to rinse it off.
Following these recommendations alone will relieve dry skin in the vast majority of patients. If you still have excessive dryness, talk to the experts at PS Dermatology & Surgery today.
