Remedies for Dry Skin

                                                                                         

The lack of moisture in the skin causes cracking of the upper layer of the skin, thus fine lines and wrinkles appear. There are various reasons for developing a dry skin condition. Some of the causes are, but not limited to, living in a dry climate, hormonal changes, excessive exfoliation and/or cleansing, or using skin care products that are to harsh for your skin. Additionally, dry skin can also be genetic and or inherent of one's own skin type. Dry skin also comes with aging as the sebaceous glands become less productive.

Whatever the cause of dry skin, there are simples remedies to nourish your skin and ward off premature lines and wrinkles.

The most effective treatment for dry skin is application of a moisturizer and following a good skin care routine such as cleansing, toning to restore pH balance and moisturizing..

Generally moisturizers are classified under 2 categories based on the way they provide or retain moisture to the skin. The first category is a moisturizer that retains and protects the moisture already in the skin. These products provide a covering over the skin and would include a product like Vaseline which seals in the moisture already in the skin.

The second category is humectants. They work by drawing moisture from the atmosphere; they pull in and hold water to keep the skin moist. Additionally they slow down the evaporation of moisture from the skin. A natural humectant is honey and glycerin and the synthetic ingredients would be propylene glycol and glyceryl triacetate.

To get the most benefit from your moisturizer a good skin care routine should be followed. Below are some tips to give your dry skin some relief.

First, cleansing the skin is a vital step in promoting healthy skin. Your cleanser should be mild and non-foaming. Foaming agents in cleansers have a tendency to dry out the skin even more. Furthermore, never use soap on the face or neck and water temperature should be mild and never hot.

Exfoliation does help with dry skin by removing the dead top layers of the skin. Additionally it promotes new cell growth and improves circulation. However, exfoliation should be minimal no more than once a week or even less if you suffer from extremely dry skin.

Toning is meant to restore pH balance and removing traces of cleanser left behind. Keeping your toner in the refrigerator adds a nice cool splash to your face and the cool toner will close pores. Avoid toners that are alcohol based better yet consider making your own toner.

Moisturizer is the last step. If your facial moisturizer does not provide SPF protection then apply sun screen over your moisturizer. For total body moisture, after your shower or bath, apply a body moisturizer while the skin is still damp.

No matter what skin type you are, i.e. dry skin, oily skin, or combination skin, a good skin care program is about being gentle with your skin. To promote a healthy glow, be sure you are selecting the right products for your skin type.

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