The Recipe For Dry Skin Care

The skin is your body’s largest organ so dry skin should not be ignored. Your skin works regulating your bodies temperature and as a barrier, not only keeping unwanted elements out but also keeping in what it needs to function, like moisture. When your skin dries, it cracks, reducing its ability to perform properly.

Causes of dry skin

Dry skin can have a variety of causes including hormonal changes, dry climate, excessive exfoliation, harsh soaps and chemicals, certain medications and poor diet. Whatever the cause, caring for your dry skin is important to your overall health.

Caring for dry skin

Good diet

Dry skin care starts with a good diet. Drinking plenty of water and eating foods high in Omega-3 fatty acids, such as salmon, flax seed and walnuts have been proven to promote healthy skin and reduce dryness.

Use of moisturizers

The second, and probably most widely known remedy for dry skin is the use of moisturizers. A trip down the health and beauty aisle at your local market will show that there are hundreds of moisturizers on the market today. But how do they work to relieve dry skin and which one is best for you?

Most moisturizers can be classified under three categories based on how they provide moisture in your dry skin care routine.

Petroleum based moisturizers

The first category includes moisturizers that provide dry skin care by creating a barrier, which effectively traps existing moisture within the skin. These petroleum-based moisturizers are relatively inexpensive and are readily available in most stores.

Humectants

Humectants make up the second type of moisturizer. Humectants are substance which have the ability to attract and hold moisture from the surrounding environment so they are used extensively in hair conditioners and cosmetic products to hydrate or moisturize skin and hair.

Humectants are the more expensive of the two types of moisturizer but since they do not need to seal your skin to work, they are a good non-greasy substitute for petroleum-based products. If the product is not labelled, check the list of ingredients for lactic acid, urea, glycerol, propylene glycol and glyceryl triacetate, which are all humectants used in beauty products.

Lipid based moisturizers

The third type of moisturizers is a lipid-based product. Lipids in beauty products are plant fats, which closely resemble those produced by our own bodies to keep our skin moist and supple.

Because of this they are widely preferred as the natural choice for dry skin care. Examples of those used in moisturizers are coconut oil, olive oil, cocoa butter, Shea butter, macadamia nut oil and red palm oil.

Now that you have the information on the types of moisturizers available it is important to know how to use them correctly to provide optimum dry skin relief.

How to use moisturizers effectively for dry skin

• All moisturizers regardless of type should be applied to freshly cleaned moist skin.
• Cleanse your face using luke-warm water and soap-free products specifically formulated for dry to normal skin and gently pat with a clean dry towel to remove excess water then apply moisturizer to skin using gently upward strokes.
• Never wash in hot water as it destroys your skins natural oils.

Avoid excessive exfoliation

Dry skin is more fragile and tends to tear and crack easier than normal skin so avoid excessive exfoliation and harsh detergents and alcohol based cleansers and toners. Exfoliation is important in any good skin care routine as it removes dead skin cells and reduces clogged pores. Just remember that once a week is probably enough and to keep it gentle.

A good sunscreen in vital to dry skin care. Protecting your fragile skin from further damage from UV radiation will help keep it supple and healthy. Most dermatologists recommend moisturizers that have a PABA-free UV sunscreen of 25 or higher for the best protection from damaging rays.

So by mixing one part good diet, one part moisturizer and one part care and protection you can create your own personalized recipe for dry skin care to have beautifully nourished, healthy skin.