Dry Skin Skin Care

Dry skin can be a recurring problem, leaving a person wondering where they are going wrong with their skincare. Every person is different, some people will naturally have better skin than others, and this is just a fact of life. However, most people can have better skin than they do now. Many people may not actively try to take care of their skin but have good skin, whilst others may try hard and their skin might not be so good. Most people do something right, whether they know it or not, but other aspects may be lacking. Achieving and maintaining a healthy skin requires you to do everything right. No one thing is going to give you healthy skin, it is a system.

The most common mistake people make them it comes to their skincare, particularly dry skin skin care, is their bathing technique. Your bathing habits greatly affect your skin, and some bathing habits are extremely detrimental to the health of your skin. For instance, hot water, harsh soaps and use of flannels and loafers can be an almost lethal combination when it comes to skincare. As can the incorrect usage of a towel to dry yourself. Yes, there is a correct and incorrect way to dry yourself and if you didn't know this, well, great – this means you're learning!

The System

Natural protective oils within the skin, called sebum, are secreted to help the skin retain its moisture and protect against the environment. Using harsh soaps and hot water make these protective oils very soluble, which flannels, loafers and finally towels, scrub away completely. This is an absolute no-no, and leaves the skin vulnerable to drying and moisture loss. The idea is to bathe without disturbing these oils. Use lukewarm water, and use a good soap which is known to moisturise, such as Olay or Dove. Avoid using a loafer and flannel if possible, and when it comes to drying, pat yourself with a towel, do not scrub or rub. After bathing, moisturise your face and hands with a good moisturising cream such as Olay or Dove. Bathe only once a day, if at all possible.

Not only does the skin rely on external skincare for its health, but also what you eat and what you don't eat can have a huge effect on how your skin looks. A healthy balanced diet which contains good amounts of sulphur and Vitamin A, B and C will ensure your body can create its very own natural skincare products, and promote smooth, healthy skin growth.

Some final skincare tips

• Dry skin can very often itch and irritate. It is important that you don't give in to the temptation to vigorously scratch away at the irritating skin, as this will do you more harm than good. The itch may subside temporarily, but the area you scratch will become even more damaged and dry and itch even more. The best way to stop skin from itching is to apply moisturiser to the troubling area as this will cool and sooth the skin causing it less irritation, and will help it heal much quicker.
• Be careful what detergents you use to wash your clothes and bed sheets. Very often the detergents within clothing or bed sheets can be causing much irritation to the skin. It may take some research on your part and trial and error to find a detergent which is agreeable with your skin. Certain fabrics such as cotton can also irritate skin, so you may wish to make some changes to your wardrobe.
• Due to low humidity in the winter, particularly in the home with central heating being used, skin can become drier than ever. A great way to prevent your skin from drying so much during the winter and central heating times is by having a humidifier on in your home.