Dry, sensitive skin may be the result of eczema or another form of atopic dermatitis or allergies, or it may occur due to cold weather conditions, low humidity, genetics or aging. Dry, sensitive skin is easily irritated and will generally worsen and become itchy without treatment. Moisturizing creams, lotions and ointments are used to treat dry, sensitive skin and care must be taken to clean your skin properly to prevent further drying.
Personal Habits
Treatment for dry, sensitive skin begins with the way you clean and care for your skin at home. Hot water and soap can irritate the skin. Use mild cleansers that are made for dry, sensitive skin to wash your face, underarms, genitals, hands and feet, but do not use soap on the rest of your body. Keep showers and baths short and use warm, not hot, water. When you are done, gently pat excess water from your skin with a soft towel and apply moisturizers immediately, while your skin is still damp. In addition, wear protective gloves when using cleaning fluids and use a humidifier, if necessary, to add moisture to indoor air.
Types
Mild soaps such as Neutrogena and Dove, cleansers made for dry skin such as Aveeno or Cetaphil, and daily use of bath oils and moisturizers are recommended by the National Institutes of Health for cleaning and treating dry, sensitive skin. Avoid using strong soaps and detergents and any products that contain alcohol, which can further dry and irritate the skin.
If you have dry, sensitive skin on your lips, use unscented and unflavored wax-based lip balms, petroleum jelly such as Vaseline or ointments such as Aquaphor.
Features
Ointments, such as Aquaphor and Vaseline, work best for locking in moisture and soothing dry, sensitive skin, but are often used only at night because they make the skin feel greasy and slippery. During the day, you can protect your skin with lighter lotions and creams. Products used to treat dry, sensitive skin are free of fragrances and other potentially irritating substances.
Benefits
Regular use of moisturizing treatments will help dry, sensitive skin stay moist and prevent itching, flaking and cracking. Using a humidifier or leaving the bathroom door open while a shower is running will help prevent skin dryness and irritation due to indoor heating used during the winter.
Warning
Call your doctor if you have dry, sensitive skin that does not respond to regular home treatment, if you wake up during the night due to itchy skin or if your skin is so dry it starts to crack and bleed or if you develop a rash along with dry skin. These may be signs that you have a skin condition that requires prescription medication treatment in order to heal.
Misconceptions
Not every product labeled "hypoallergenic," "natural," "fragrance-free" or "for sensitive skin" is an appropriate treatment for dry, sensitive skin, especially if skin is dry and especially sensitive due to eczema or another form of dermatitis. If you have very dry and sensitive skin, ask your physician for product recommendations or a referral to a dermatologist who can prescribe appropriate treatments.
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