If your complexion has become parched and peeling, you're probably desperate for a face cream to address that extremely dry skin. Some people inherent their overly dry skin. The condition may also become worse during the winter, with its drier air and cold winds. As skin ages, it loses its natural protective sebum, the oil produced by the skin's glands. Other causes include skin disorders like eczema and psoriasis or an allergic reaction to medications.
Types
Consumers tend to use terms like moisturizers, face creams and ointments somewhat interchangeably. Ointments are 80 percent oil and 20 percent water, notes ExzemaNet, a website created by the American Academy of Dermatology. The oil helps the water in the formula act as a moisturizing "second skin." Creams contain a medium amount of oil and are more moisturizing than lotions, which contain the least amount of oil, according to DermNet NZ, a website from the New Zealand Dermatological Society. Both body and face moisturizers come in ointment, cream and lotion form.
Recommended Products
Technically, if you have very dry skin, a cream, as defined by the AAD, may not be enough to conquer the problem. Facial ointments may work best for extremely dry skins. If they clog your pores, however, opt for more lubricating creams which have terms like "humectant" and "emollient" on the label. Lotions or water-based "aqueous moisturizers" will likely be too light for extremely dry complexion problems.
Additional Ingredients
Along with the ratio of oil to water, the additional ingredients may provide relief to your dry, scaly skin. Alternatively, these extras may actually irritate your complexion and cause even more flaking. Alpha-hydroxy acids reportedly exfoliate flaking skin and reduce the appearance of fine lines while slowing the evaporation of moisture from your skin, according to Columbia University's Health Services column Go Ask Alice!. Petrolatum may help cut down on flaking. Tretinoin, derived from vitamin A, helps skin cells replenish themselves. Urea and glycerine are meant to draw and retain moisture to the outer layer of skin. Finally, daytime face creams or ointments should contain a sunscreen, which protects against sun damage and increased dryness and redness.
Application Suggestions
People plagued with very dry complexions need to apply moisturizer more than once a day. Go Ask Alice! suggests putting on moisturizer before and after you go outside in extreme weather. When you go inside, rinse your face with cold water, and reapply moisturizer. The splash of cold helps your skin transition from exterior to interior conditions. The action also provides moisture which the face cream or ointment helps lock in.
Additional Tips
Other actions may help your complexion stay hydrated. Consider gently washing your face only a night, suggests the AAD. Humidifiers will add much-need moisture to the atmosphere in your home or office. Drinking more water and taking lukewarm instead of hot showers may also help parched skin. Daily face massages and weekly moisturizing masks can also supplement your moisturizer.
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