Dry skin can range from slightly itchy and irritating to unsightly and painful in its most serious cases. Dry skin can also lead to wrinkles. Serious dry skin conditions, which fall under the umbrella term "ichthyosis," can even lead to psychological problems if the results of the condition lead to disfigurement. However, most dry skin problems can be effectively treated with a combination of moisturizers and lifestyle adjustments, such as a strong sunscreen and the use of milder soaps for bathing. You may need to experiment with several topical creams to find what works best for your skin, but ask friends and dermatologists what they recommend when you first notice dry skin.
Causes
Dry skin is usually the result of the outermost layer of skin (one normally kept moist by the lipids or fatty substances it contains) being damaged or stripped away, leaving the skin underneath exposed. That damage can come from too many hot showers, abrasive soap, exposure to hot or cold weather, poor moisturizer use or medical conditions, such as thyroid disease, menopause, diabetes, psoriais and even malnutrition, according to the Mayo Clinic.
Considerations
In treating dry skin of the face, be careful about the moisturizers and other products you use because some of the ingredients may cause side effects, particularly if you have sensitive skin. The American Academy of Dermatology warns, "Many moisturizers contain chemicals, such as urea, alpha hydroxy acids, lactic acid or ammonium lactate, to reduce scaling and help the skin hold water. Some of these chemicals can irritate the skin, however. Your dermatologist can help you decide which is best for you."
Proper Moisturizer Use
Using a moisturizer is important, but the key is to apply it while your skin is still moist, after washing, for example. The National Eczema Foundation recommends applying moisturizer within three minutes after bathing or just washing your face. That way, the moisture from the water can be retained in the skin. You may want to wash and moisturize at night because there is less chance of weather or other conditions causing moisture loss while you are sleeping.
Over-the-counter Moisturizers
The Mayo Clinic's experts say that if you have persistent dry or scaly skin, you want to consider an over-the-counter (non-prescription) cream that contains lactic acid or lactic acid and urea. If products with those ingredients cause a reaction, stop using them. Be careful also of moisturizers that contain fragrances, as they are among the leading causes of allergy-related reactions to skin products.
Key Ingredients
The Everyday Health Network reports that most effective moisturizers contain occlusives, such as dimethicone, petrolatum, paraffin and lanolin, that keep water from being lost when the skin is exposed to wind or dry air. Another important ingredient to look for is a humectant, such as glycerin, sorbitol, urea, propylene glycol and alpha hydroxy acids, that attract moisture into skin cells. A third ingredient to consider is an emollient, such as lanolin, mineral oil and petrolatum, to fill in the spaces between damaged skin cells.
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