Dry skin care: Help get your skin back to normal this winter

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Dry skin care: Help get your skin back to normal this winter

Posted On : Jan-20-2012 | seen (460) times | Article Word Count : 731 |

With the cold winter days closing in around us, many people are beginning to suffer from an irritating problem – dry skin (xeroderma).

With the cold winter days closing in around us, many people are beginning to suffer from an irritating problem – dry skin (xeroderma). Dry skin can be itchy and annoying, not to mention unsightly, but there are ways to ease the symptoms of dry skin.

One of the main causes of dry skin for many people during the winter months is the dry winter air. This dry air draws moisture out of the skin and away from the body, leaving the skin dry and sensitive. This condition is known as winter itch. In order to best defend against winter itch, it is best to make sure that the body is sufficiently protected, by covering up with long socks, scarves, gloves and hats. This will minimise the amount of contact that the skin has with the dry air, making it less likely that it will become affected.

Another cause of dry skin during the winter months is the dry heat which is caused by the radiators and heating within the home. The dry heat draws the moisture out of the skin, leaving it irritated and dry. In order to combat this, the thermostat for the heating should be set at a reasonable temperature. Another way to help avoid this from happening is to use a humidifier, to restore moisture to the air within the home.

However, the cold of the winter months is not the only possible cause of dry, itchy skin. Dry skin can also be caused as a result of taking long hot baths or showers, or bathing too frequently. This is because the extended exposure to water (especially hot water) removes and washes away the natural oils that protect the skin. Skin can often feel tight after prolonged bathing or showering and this is a sign that the skin is dry. To reduce the risk posed to the skin by washing, it is best to shower rather than take a bath, although showers should be kept short and the water should be lukewarm. After washing, the body should be gently patted dry with a towel, rather than rubbing, as this will reduce the amount of irritation caused to the skin.

In addition to this, it is important to consider the products that are being used when washing, as soap strips away the natural oils from the skin. It is best to use a milder, fragrance free soap, as this is less likely to harm the skin. Soap should also be used sparingly and skin should be washed with a soft cloth, rather than with harsh and abrasive brushes or sponges, which will only damage skin further.

It is also important to consider what you are wearing, as itchy materials can cause dry skin to become extra sensitive, therefore it is best to stick to wearing softer fabrics, such as cotton. Tight fitting clothes can also result in dry skin, as a result of chafing and washing powders with dyes and perfumes in can also cause dry skin to become a problem.

If dry skin has become a problem and is causing itchiness and irritation, then there are products that can help to ease the symptoms. Heavier and oilier moisturising creams, such as those available from online pharmacy can help. There are two main different types of moisturiser: humectants and emollients. Humectants work by absorbing moisture from the air and will be moisturisers that contain ingredients such as urea, glycerine and propylene glycol. Emollients work by replacing the oils that have been lost from the skin and examples of these include baby oil, mineral oil, lanolin, petroleum jelly, stearic acid and plant oils. For these moisturisers to work at their best, they should be applied to damp skin after showering/bathing to lock in the moisture. They should be used sparingly, but applied thoroughly, rubbed into the skin to make sure that as much of the cream is absorbed as possible.

Although dry skin can be an annoying and irritating condition, there are steps that can be taken to help reduce the chances of the condition flaring up and products available to help combat the symptoms. Dry skin creams , such as emollients and humectants, can help to make sure that the skin remains moisturised, soothing the affected area and helping to stop dry skin from reoccurring.

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<h1>Dry skin care: Help get your skin back to normal this winter</h1> Author: <a href='http://www.articleseen.com/profile_Chemist.aspx'>Chemist</a> With the cold winter days closing in around us, many people are beginning to suffer from an irritating problem – dry skin (xeroderma). Dry skin can be itchy and annoying, not to mention unsightly, but there are ways to ease the symptoms of dry skin.

One of the main causes of dry skin for many people during the winter months is the dry winter air. This dry air draws moisture out of the skin and away from the body, leaving the skin dry and sensitive. This condition is known as winter itch. In order to best defend against winter itch, it is best to make sure that the body is sufficiently protected, by covering up with long socks, scarves, gloves and hats. This will minimise the amount of contact that the skin has with the dry air, making it less likely that it will become affected.

Another cause of dry skin during the winter months is the dry heat which is caused by the radiators and heating within the home. The dry heat draws the moisture out of the skin, leaving it irritated and dry. In order to combat this, the thermostat for the heating should be set at a reasonable temperature. Another way to help avoid this from happening is to use a humidifier, to restore moisture to the air within the home.

However, the cold of the winter months is not the only possible cause of dry, itchy skin. Dry skin can also be caused as a result of taking long hot baths or showers, or bathing too frequently. This is because the extended exposure to water (especially hot water) removes and washes away the natural oils that protect the skin. Skin can often feel tight after prolonged bathing or showering and this is a sign that the skin is dry. To reduce the risk posed to the skin by washing, it is best to shower rather than take a bath, although showers should be kept short and the water should be lukewarm. After washing, the body should be gently patted dry with a towel, rather than rubbing, as this will reduce the amount of irritation caused to the skin.

In addition to this, it is important to consider the products that are being used when washing, as soap strips away the natural oils from the skin. It is best to use a milder, fragrance free soap, as this is less likely to harm the skin. Soap should also be used sparingly and skin should be washed with a soft cloth, rather than with harsh and abrasive brushes or sponges, which will only damage skin further.

It is also important to consider what you are wearing, as itchy materials can cause dry skin to become extra sensitive, therefore it is best to stick to wearing softer fabrics, such as cotton. Tight fitting clothes can also result in dry skin, as a result of chafing and washing powders with dyes and perfumes in can also cause dry skin to become a problem.

If dry skin has become a problem and is causing itchiness and irritation, then there are products that can help to ease the symptoms. Heavier and oilier moisturising creams, such as those available from online pharmacy can help. There are two main different types of moisturiser: humectants and emollients. Humectants work by absorbing moisture from the air and will be moisturisers that contain ingredients such as urea, glycerine and propylene glycol. Emollients work by replacing the oils that have been lost from the skin and examples of these include baby oil, mineral oil, lanolin, petroleum jelly, stearic acid and plant oils. For these moisturisers to work at their best, they should be applied to damp skin after showering/bathing to lock in the moisture. They should be used sparingly, but applied thoroughly, rubbed into the skin to make sure that as much of the cream is absorbed as possible.

Although dry skin can be an annoying and irritating condition, there are steps that can be taken to help reduce the chances of the condition flaring up and products available to help combat the symptoms. Dry skin creams , such as emollients and humectants, can help to make sure that the skin remains moisturised, soothing the affected area and helping to stop dry skin from reoccurring.About the Author: Chemist.net is a UK Royal Pharmaceutical Society Registered <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.chemist.net/" target="_blank">online pharmacy</a>. As a leading UK internet chemist provide Ensure Plus, Fortisip, MorEPA, <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.chemist.net/medicine-skin-care-eczema-psoriasis/aveeno/aveeno-cream-300ml-pd-9436.html" target="_blank">Dry skin creams</a> and glucosamine supplements. Article Source: <a href='http://www.articleseen.com/Article_Dry-skin-care-Help-get-your-skin-back-to-normal-this-winter_136873.aspx'> http://www.articleseen.com/Article_Dry skin care: Help get your skin back to normal this winter_136873.aspx</a>

Article Source : http://www.articleseen.com/Article_Dry skin care: Help get your skin back to normal this winter_136873.aspx

Author Resource :
Chemist.net is a UK Royal Pharmaceutical Society Registered online pharmacy. As a leading UK internet chemist provide Ensure Plus, Fortisip, MorEPA, Dry skin creams and glucosamine supplements.

Keywords : Aveeno Cream, dry skin cream, dry skin relief, dry skin treatment, dry skin remedy, Aveeno, moisturising cream, eczema cream, ,

Category : Health and Fitness : Health and Fitness

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