If you watch commercials for skin-care products, you may get the impression it's mostly women who suffer from dry skin. However, dry skin affects both men and women. Men just complain less of superficial dry skin, found a study by the Department of Dermatology at Bispebjerg Hospital in Denmark. No one lotion is right for every man. You may have to find your ideal lotion through trial and error.
Use and Definition
Dry-skin lotion helps moisturize skin dried by sun exposure, dry air, over-bathing, smoking, old age or genetics. Your doctor may also recommend a dry-skin lotion if you have eczema, psoriasis or ichthyoses. Dry skin may feel tight, rough or itchy. It may appear flaky, scaly or shrunken, and it may show fine lines, redness, cracking or peeling. In severe cases, it may bleed.
Method
Apply lotion to your skin within three minutes of bathing to lock in moisture and relieve dry skin. Moisturizing lotions do not add moisture to your skin, but they can trap existing water and keep it from evaporating, suggests the American Academy of Dermatology. Apply lotion throughout the day and moisturize your hands each time after you wash or wet them.
Types
Although some people use the words "lotion," "cream" and "ointment" interchangeably, each has a different purpose. Lotions are for hairy areas, including the scalp, and for dry skin on the body. When lotions don't provide enough moisture to these areas, the New Zealand Dermatological Society recommends creams. Ointments are greasier and intended for drier, thicker and scalier areas.
Occlusive Moisturizers vs. Humectants
Moisturizers can be occlusive or humectants. Occlusive moisturizers contain water and oils that are non-human in origin. The New Zealand Dermatological Society recommends using an occlusive moisturizer in the amount of 250 to 500 g. Humectants add water to the outermost layer of the skin and may contain glycerin, urea or alpha hydroxy acids.
Reactions
If you have sensitive skin or allergies, your lotion may cause one or more adverse reactions, including a rash, a stinging or burning sensation, blocked hair follicles and boils. To avoid a reaction, use a hypoallergenic lotion and test it on a small area of skin before applying it to a larger area. If you experience a reaction, wash off the lotion with a mild soap and contact your doctor before using the product again.
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