Dry Skin

2009-07-24T16:31:00.000-07:00

What is dry skin? How do we prevent dry skin?

Dry skin is a common condition. It is when the skin can no longer retain its water capacity. Like mentioned in previous skin care conditions, water plays a big role in maintaining healthy skin.

The most common factors that contribute to dry skin are:

The weather, cold temparatures or heat and humidity

Soap, it strips away your skin's protective oils, and we make it worse by lathering it all over our body, as if we’ve been contaminated.

Most of all those long hot showers, it feels great but that’s another no no. It washes away the natural oils that protect your skin.

However there are some Medical factors that can cause dry skin as well:

• Hormonal changes - Changes in hormone levels can cause dry skin as we age

• Diabetes - Fluctuations in glucose levels can lead to dehydration, and that dries the skin out.

• Hypothyroidism - Low levels of thyroid hormone can reduce the amount of oil produced by your skin, leaving it dry

• Eczema - a condition that causes dry, reddened skin that itches or burns

• Psoriasis - non-contagious autoimmune disease which appears as red scaly patches to appear on the skin

A few simple tips to bring life back into your skin:

Wash yourself in cool water and limit the amount of time you spend in the shower.

Use a mild soap, and just wash the parts that really need to be washed.

Use a good moisturizer. It is most effective to apply it right after a shower while your skin is still damp.

Reduce stress

Drink lots of water, depending on the body size, the body is anywhere between 55 to 80% water. Drink anywhere from one to seven litres a day.

And soon enough your will see some significant improvement.