Say Goodbye to Dry

Five Tips for Relieving Dry Skin

When humidity drops and the air gets drier, it can really take a toll on our skin. Dry skin makes fine lines and wrinkles appear more noticeable. In addition, extremely dry skin can crack and bleed, which is uncomfortable and unsightly. To help alleviate these undesirable effects, the American Academy of Dermatology recommends the following:

1. Bathe daily – but keep it short. A daily shower or bath can provide hydration to the skin. Bathing more than ten minutes can have the opposite effect; drying the skin out.
   
   Try to bathe with warm, not hot, water. Hot water removes the skin’s natural oils more rapidly than warm water.
   
   Use a mild, fragrance-free cleanser that moisturizes. Deodorant bars and cleansers containing alcohol strip the natural oils from the skin.
   
   Gently pat the skin dry. Gently blotting the skin helps retain moisture and is less irritating to dry, sensitive skin.
   
   
2. Moisturize! Dry skin needs moisture. Although moisturizers do not add moisture to the skin, they do trap existing water in the skin. This is why it is important to apply moisturizer within three minutes of getting out of the bath or shower.
   
   Continue to reapply moisturizer throughout the day if skin is extremely dry and/or uncomfortable, to help promote healing.
   
   Choose a moisturizer that is best suited for the season. During less-humid months when the skin tends to be drier and more sensitive, a cream moisturizer is more effective than a lotion.
   
   Look for ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, dimethicone and glycerin, in your moisturizer. Hyaluronic acid, which occurs in the skin naturally but diminishes with age, can help the skin retain hydration. Dimethicone and glycerin help draw water to the skin and hold it there.
   
   
3. Wear a broad-spectrum, (UVA/UVB), sunscreen every day. Yes, even if we don’t see the sun shining, we are being exposed to the sun’s harmful rays. This exposure dries out the skin and speeds up the aging process, making fine lines and wrinkles more apparent.
   
   Be sure to use a sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher. The sunscreen should contain a minimum of 6% physical sunblock.
   
   
4. Don’t forget your hands and lips. Hands and lips tend to show the effects dry weather more than any other part of the body.
   
   Apply hand cream after each hand washing, to help hold in moisture. When outdoors, wear gloves to protect the hands from the cold, dry air, which steals moisture from the skin.
   
   Carry lip balm and apply it often throughout the day. Dermatologists recommend using a lip balm with an SPF 15 or higher, to prevent further drying or other signs of aging.
   
   If the hands or lips are extremely dry, apply petroleum jelly to them before bed. Petroleum is one of the most effective ways to trap water in the skin.
   
   
5. Re-evaluate your skin’s needs and change your skin care products accordingly. In addition to changes in the environment, our skin changes with age, diet and stress. Mature skin is thinner and drier. Products that may have worked for our skin months or years ago may no longer be suitable for our skin today. Individuals who are experiencing drier skin should avoid alcohol-based toners and products with added fragrance. If you are not certain what your skin needs, consult a medical professional.

Following these tips will help your skin survive the season. Severely dry skin may require a prescription cream or ointment, or it may be the sign of an underlying medical condition such as eczema. A medical skin professional can examine the skin and determine the best course of action to achieve optimal results. Remember, it is never too late to help your skin look and feel its best.

References:

American Academy of Dermatology. “Dermatologists Top Tips for Mature Skin Dermatologists share skin care tips that can help mature skin look and feel its best”.

American Academy of Dermatology. “Dermatologists’ Top 10 Tips for Relieving Dry Skin Changes in Skin Care Can Soothe Aging Skin”.