Dry skin is a common problem and a very irritating one. I have dry skin which can get itchy with no real reason at all. When I apply make-up, my forehead and cheeks show up white dry patches in spite of using a moisturizer. Well, a few years back I was troubled by T-zone and acne which prevented me from using moisturizers on face. Now, my skin tends to gulp down all the moisture fed to it without hesitation. I could not find how this change came about. But I could find remedies for my thirsty skin.herb4Dry skin can be caused by a change of weather, harsh soaps and cleansers, air conditioning, hot showers and certain medical conditions. Normally, the skin on your hands, thighs and lower legs are the driest. Skin conditions are also influenced by your age, health conditions, your locale and the amount of time you spend outdoors (exposure to wind and sun). As a result, skin can be red, itchy, scaling, tight and lined. Woman have more issues than men as their skin loses moisture faster. Eczema and Psoriasis are skin irritations which can cause dry skin. Eczema is an allergic response to environmental factors while Psoriasis is a life-term skin disease. Remember that dry skin can also occur if you have thyroid, diabetes and as reactions to medications like diuretics, antispasmodics, and antihistamines. You will have to seek medical attention if your skin is dry and itchy and disturbs your sleep, if you are scratching it too much into infection and if you have scaly skin which does not improve at all.

Just drinking a lot of fluids does not help in this case. You may need an additional supply of Vitamin E and moisture.

  1. Break open a Vitamin E oil capsule and apply on face for a light massage. You can follow it with a face pack for oily face. An ideal face pack for dry skin should contain egg yolk, olive oil, honey, (chickpea flour or fuller’s earth) milk cream, almonds, oatmeal and the like.
  2. Almond oil and honey can be used as moisturizers. They will also help reduce wrinkles.
  3. Use Aloe Vera directly from plant and wash off when dry.
  4. Use Petroleum jelly on your body and a hypoallergenic moisturizer on face regularly.
  5. Coconut milk and red sandal powder is a great combination to soften skin, hydrate it and get rid of the blemishes.
  6. Do not wash your face often. Try to use fertilized water if possible as normal tap water can further dry out your facial skin.
  7. Use lukewarm water while bathing and a short shower
  8. Use less of soap in winter and pat dry gently.
  9. Apply your lotion immediately after your bath.
  10. Do not use cosmetics with alcohol. Some of the acne products have alcohol as their main ingredient.
  11. Use a humidifier if your room is too dry.
  12. A mixture of rose water and glycerin (and avocado oil) can be a soothing night lotion.
  13. Chamomile, Geranium, Hyssop, Lavender, Patchouli, Rose, Sandalwood and Ylang-Ylang are essential oil for dry skin. You can use toiletries and cosmetics with these ingredients.
See also  Best Techniques And Benefits Of Facial Massage

Your dry skin should not deprive you from make-up and beauty enhancements.

  1. You can use a souffle foundation or oil-based or water based foundations on dry skin. It will be easier to apply cream or liquid foundation than a paste one. It will give a matte-finish too.
  2. Use chap stick or lip balm before applying lip stick.
  3. Exfoliate your face and lips gently for good results. Almonds and oat meal with milk cream work as great scrubs.

A positive change in the diet with all the vital nutrients and protection from extreme Sun and wind are all crucial for dry skin.

  • Eat a lot of fruits and leafy vegetables for vitamins. You will need Vitamin A, B and E for glowing skin. Apricots, avocado, cantaloupes, wheat germ, natural yogurt, milk are all great to tackle dry skin. Keep aside a little of your fruits for an enriching face pack.
  • You will also need beta-carotene present in yellow and orange veggies like carrots.
  • Sulfur rich foods like garlic, onions, eggs, and asparagus are great for dry skin. Sulfur prevents drying of skin by stimulating the metabolism.
  • Flax seeds are known for their health benefits as well. Throw in a few into your breakfast bowl or add some flaxseed oil into your salad if you can.

Keep away from alcohol, caffeine, soft drinks, chocolate, chips and sweets

Tips for Dry Skin CareDuring the cold months of the year is when many people experience “winter itch,” caused by dry, flaky skin.Dr. Diane Berson, a dermatologist at the Iris Cantor Women’s Health Center of New York-Presbyterian Hospital, said in a prepared statement. “Remember, dry skin is due to lack of water, not oil. Apply moisturizers immediately after bathing or showering to trap water in the skin,”

How To Avoid Winter Itch:
  • Moisturize daily. Cream moisturizers are best for normal to dry skin. A moisturizer without perfume or lanolin is best for sensitive skin.
  • Don’t overdo skin cleansing. Once a day is sufficient to wash your face, hands, feet and between the folds of your skin. You can rinse your trunk, arms and legs daily, but don’t use cleanser or soap on these areas every day. Too much cleansing removes the skin’s natural moisturizers.
  • If you have winter itch, take short, lukewarm showers or baths and use non-irritating, non-detergent-based cleansers. Immediately after your shower or bath, apply a water-in-oil-type moisturizer and gently pat your skin dry.
  • Household humidifiers can help prevent dry skin.
  • Protect yourself from the wind by covering your face and using a natural oil based lip balm.
  • Try to avoid extreme cold, which can cause frostbite or skin disorders in some people.
  • Protect your skin from the sun. Winter sun can be as dangerous as summer sun. Use a sunscreen of SPF 15 or greater.
  • Twenty to 30 minutes of aerobic exercise three times a week can give your skin a healthy glow.
  • If you have persistent dry skin, itching or scaling, see your dermatologist
See also  Top Tips For Natural body Care & Weight Reduction Treatment

Chlorine in bath water can strip the natural protective oils from skin and hair, causing excess drying and aging.

Compared to drinking water we absorb more chlorine through skin absorption and inhalation of steam while showering.

dry3

A recent report in the American Journal of Public Health linked chlorine to significant increases in certain types of cancer, asthma and skin irritations… and stated that “up to 2/3s of the harmful exposure was due to skin absorption and inhalation of chlorine in shower water.”

The U.S. EPA recently stated that “Due to chlorine and showering, virtually every home in America has a detectable level of chloroform gas in the air.” When chlorine vaporizes in steam, and combines with other organic compounds in the air, it converts to chloroform. Chloroform is a strong respiratory irritant and causes fatigue.

Most people don’t realize that tap water typically contains at or above the level of chlorine recommended for swimming pools, 1 to 1.5 ppm. A warm shower opens up the pores of the skin and allows a high rate of absorption of chlorine and other chemicals. The steam we inhale while showering can contain up to 20 times the concentration of chlorine and other synthetic chemicals as tap water, due to the fact that these chemicals vaporize at a much lower temperature and at a much faster rate than water. While over 98% of the water coming from the showerhead goes down the drain, 70% to 90% of the chemicals in the water vaporize before the water hits the ground.

Inhalation of chlorine and chemical vapors is a suspected cause of asthma and bronchitis. When chemicals are inhaled into our lungs they enter directly into our bloodstream and can have magnified effects versus ingested chemicals that are partially filtered by digestion. A recent study showed that over 1/4 of swim team members suffer from some degree of asthma due to chlorine inhalation.

See also  How to achieve good fitness & The Ways To Know If You Are Physically Fit or Not And That How Healthily Are You Living

Chlorine also strips the natural protective oils from skin & hair, causing excess drying and aging. In addition to the obvious health benefits of showering in chemical free water, the cosmetic benefits are even more noticeable. Anyone who has ever gone swimming in a chlorinated pool can relate to the harsh drying effect that chlorine has on your skin and hair. Without the negative effects of chlorine and other chemicals found in tap water, your skin and hair retain moisture more effectively for a younger healthier look and feel

Home Care for dry skin

It may help to change your bathing habits:
  • Keep baths or showers short.
  • Use warm (not hot) water.
  • Use as little soap as possible. Limit its use to face, armpits, and genitals if you can. Try mild cleansers & mild soaps.
  • Dry your skin thoroughly but gently — pat, DON’T rub.
  • Take baths or showers less often.
Also, increase skin and body moisture:
  • Use bath oils and moisturizers at least daily. Thick, greasy moisturizers work best. Avoid products with alcohol. Apply just after a bath or shower, when your skin is still damp.
  • Use a humidifier if the air is dry.
  • Drink plenty of Water throughout the day.

Apply cool compresses to itchy areas, and try over-the-counter cortisone creams or lotions if your skin is inflamed. If this is not enough, talk to your doctor about possible prescription lotions

Common dry skin causes

Dry skin is common. It happens more often in the winter when cold air outside and heated air inside cause low humidity. Forced-air furnaces make skin even drier.

The skin loses moisture and may crack and peel, or become irritated and inflamed. Bathing too frequently, especially with harsh soaps, may contribute to dry skin. Eczema may cause dry skin.

Dry Skin Rashfacdry5

There is nothing more painful than a dry skin rash! Some people experience it as bumpy dry skin, some have dry cracked skin on the hands, and others suffer from dry patchy skin all over their face. Sometimes a rash is not even obvious, but the person may suffer from relentless itching and flaking, or scaly skin.

Help For Dry Skin Rash

Dry skin conditions need to be taken care of as soon as possible to avoid more skin damage and to prevent the condition from getting worse. If you suffer from excessively dry skin or it has progressed to the point where there are small cracks that bleed and weep, you could develop an infection due to the open skin areas.

Of course the most logical treatment for dry skin includes establishing a protective moisture barrier and keeping the affected area moist/hydrated at all times – which can be difficult especially if the area involved include the hands and face.

A great solution for this is botanical homeopathic moisturizer offers a unique trans derma deliver system so it can penetrate and hydrate more deeply that typical moisturizers.

It also uses plant essences and unrefined botanical extracts so extremely gentle and won’t irritate any type of skin