Help For Dry Skin

What Are The Causes and Best Way to Care For Dry Skin?

If you're looking for help for dry skin, you may need to understand more about your face/body wash and make sure you select the best soap for your skin type.

Let's face it, a dry complexion looks unhealthy. It lacks that vibrant fullness, looks dehydrated, crinkly, and dull. Plus, for baby boomers with mature skin, it can make us look much older than we are :-(

And, if your complexion is blotchy, red, itchy, or cracked and irritated from too much scratching, then probably need serious help because now you're exposing yourself to the possibility of infections or skin disorders. Those tiny cracks can become infected and painful, especially during the winter months.

Help For Dry Skin - What Are The Causes?

When the lipid layer is stripped away – whether due to environment, medical conditions, or life style (wrong products or over washing), the dermis can become dehydrated, patchy, flaky, or wrinkly.

But why do some people suffer from dry conditions while others don't? Lot's of reasons......however, two very common causes may be due to:

• Over washing
• And using the wrong products

According to Dermatologic Surgeon, Dr. Barney Kenet, "Most adults over thirty commit one big mistake when it comes to washing: They do too much of it."

That coupled with long hot showers and harsh soaps - your have a recipe for dry, itchy skin.....especially during the winter months.

Other causes may include:

• Medical conditions such as under active thyroid. Under active thyroid is a condition where the body does not produce enough thyroid hormones causes a reduction in your sweat oil glands which can ultimately lead to dry, rough skin
• Diseases like psoriasis or or causes of eczema. This type of dry skin condition is usually marked by a fast buildup of dry, rough skin cells that turn into thick scales.
• Over use of Acne medication or harsh acne products. Consider using products specifically formulated acne treatments for sensitive skin.

• Use of certain drugs like antihistamines and diuretics. These medications can cause excess moisture loss from the body.
• Poor diet and vitamin deficiencies like vitamins A, and omega 3 fish oils. See vitamins for dry skin.
• Hormone imbalance (menopause). Low levels of estrogen and progesterone – like during menopause – can cause a significant reduction in oil levels on the skin surface.

Help For Dry Skin - Other Tips

Now this next tip (exfoliation) may be too much if your complexion is super sensitive, so try it in a small area first. If you can tolerate it, might prove to be very helpful because it can improve the absorption of your favorite moisturizer or anti-aging serum and the look of your complexion.

Here is one of my favorite (super easy) homemade exfoliating scrubs:

Olive Oil & Brown Sugar Scrub1. Mix 1/2 cup of olive oil with a couple of tablespoon of brown sugar in a bowl....add more or less until it turns into a paste like consistency.


Then very lightly massage this mixture all over your face or body (don't forget your elbows and knees) to remove dead flaky cells. Try making a big batch of this and leave it in a tupperware container in your shower.

Lactic Acid and Other Hydrators

Certain ingredients can help hydrate and firm the skin. Ingredients like lactic acid for the face and shea butter for the body can help "un-glue" dead cells, moisturizer, and reduce appearance of wrinkles.....from head-to-toe.

So finding help for dry skin is not that difficult, as long as you pay attention to what the products you use, don't over wash, exfoliate, and treat it gently.

Additional Reading for Help For Dry Skin

Dry Patchy Skin– Dry skin can easily get out of hand and turn into an itchy patches or rashes or even worse get infected.

Pictures Of Dry Skin – Find pictures for a variety of dry skin conditions including psoriasis and eczema.

anti wrinkle skin cream moisturizer - If you're over 45, consider a moisturizer that also helps to increase firmness and collagen production