subject: Care for dry skin [print this page] Care for dry skin Care for dry skin
Signs
The skin has a parched look caused by its inability to retain moisture. It usually feels "tight" and uncomfortable after washing unless some type of moisturizer or skin cream is applied. Chapping and cracking are signs of extremely dry, dehydrated skin.
Causes
Most dry skin is caused by environmental exposures. In common, your skin is driest in winter, when heats and wetness levels plummet. Winter conditions also mind to make several existing skin conditions badly. People in cold weather countries naturally complain about dryness of the skin. Getting into artificially cold climate like in air conditioned rooms can also deceive the skin and result to dry skin. Pollution is also an environmental cause of dry skin. Frequent showering or bathing, especially if you like the water hot and your baths long, breaks down the lipid barriers in your skin.
Harsh soaps and detergents are caused of dry skin. Many notorious soaps and detergents stripe lipids and water from your skin. Deodorant, shampoos and antibacterial soaps dry the scalp. Dry skin could be due to a genetic condition. Genes also play a role. If relatives suffer from dry skin, you are more likely to develop the condition. In extreme cases, fish-like scaling of the skin is sometimes seen. Central air and heating wood, burning stoves, space heaters and fireplaces all draw moisture out of your skin. Some drugs, such as diuretics, antihistamines and isotretinoin (Accutane) causes skin to dry.
Care for dry skin
1. Take Warm Baths Never Hot!
Everyone likes the soothing, relaxing feel of a nice HOT bath, but it's not good for your skin. The intense heat of a super hot shower or bath actually breaks down the lipid barrier in the skin which leads to a loss of moisture. A comfortably warm bath or shower is better at keeping your skin moist and soft.
2. Use Sunscreen All Year Round!
Just because it's not hot does not mean the sun's burning rays are not damaging your skin. Always apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen to your face and hands about 30-minutes before going outside, and don't forget to reapply throughout the day.
3. Give Your Hands Extra Help!
Your hands are very vulnerable to dry skin and even chapping, cracking, and getting rough. The reason is that they are exposed most of the time, and the skin on the hands is thinner than on most parts of the body and has fewer oil glands. The fact is, it is harder to keep the skin on your hands moist, and therefore, it is important to help that skin with a hydrating lotion, like Ginkgo Leaf Nourishing Cream. In the winter, wear gloves when you go outside because the cold air can lead to cracking.
4. Treat Your Feet With Special Care!
Your feet can be one of the prettiest, softest areas of your body, but they take a pounding everyday. It is important to usea strong hydrating and moisturizing lotion on them in the morning and at night. Those water based, minty foot lotions may smell nice, but they evaporate quickly and do not help the skin on your feet hold in the moisture they need. It is also important to use an exfoliant on your feet to remove the dead skin. That helps your hydrating, moisturizing lotion sink in faster and deeper.
5. Moisturize! Moisturize! Moisturize!
Ultimately, the way to heal and avoid dry skin is to keep your skin hydrated, moisturized and nourished. Find a lotion that you love and apply it regularly several times a day, especially in troubled or at-risk areas like hands, feet, elbows, and knees. We recommend Ginkgo Leaf Nourishing Cream, but if you choose another cream make sure the oils are "nonclogging" and look for lotions containing humectants - a class of ingredients that attract moisture to the skin.
Ginkgo Leaf Nourishing Cream composed of herbal essence, can penetrate deeply inside the skin, supply moisture and nutrients necessary to the skin, change skin dehydration, prevent sensitive skin caused by shortage of dehydration, effectively promote the skin water absorption ability, make skin crystal clear, smooth and exquisite.
