When exposed to extreme weather for a day or a dehydrating environment over time, your skin--especially on your face and hands--may become severely dry. Allergies or irritation from cosmetic products can add to a dry skin condition, so choosing the right lotion for home treatment is important. Creating an ongoing skin care regimen will preserve your good looks and health and help prevent further physical damage.
Function
A chapped face or hands grows rough, dry and itchy. Home treatment is the first step toward restoring your skin's natural moisture and youthful properties. Using a moisturizing cream forms a barrier between your skin and the environment, locking out abrasive dust, deflecting UV rays and sealing in natural oils. The products that you use in cleansing and conditioning your face, hands and body should all be designed especially for severely dry skin.
Products
Skin care products for damaged areas should be hypoallergenic and contain no alcohol or fragrance. A moisturizing, cream-based cleanser is preferable to gel or soap. Choose the right level of moisturizing for your particular case of skin dehydration, based on its cause. A moisturizer with aloe vera or allantoin in it soothes sunburned skin. Hands that are damaged by chemicals or abrasion during work will benefit from a heavy moisturizing cream that is rich in glycerin and oils.
Preventatives
You can avoid future episodes of dry, flaky skin, peeling cuticles and cracked fingernails by caring for your skin on regularly. Maintaining a healthy skin barrier, such as with a moisturizing cream, helps prevent the development of skin allergies. Conditioning the skin and protecting it from sun exposure can also ward off skin cancer. According to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), 1 in 5 Americans experiences skin cancer. The AAD recommends you use an SPF 30 sunscreen year-round.
Time Frame
Daily skin care is necessary to remove dirt, grease, makeup and environmental toxins from the exposed face and hands. Dry skin types should follow up every hand washing--which strips surface oils from skin--with a lightweight hand lotion to restore moisture. Home treatment for facial care should include cleansing and moisturizing after you wake up and before you go to bed. Add a facial sunscreen in the morning. Use an exfoliating facial scrub to slough off dead skin and encourage new cellular growth once a week, finishing with a moisturizer.
Considerations
Ignoring a skin condition prolongs your discomfort and can lead to infection and more serious symptoms. Normal skin types usually respond quickly to soothing cleansers and moisturizers. Very sensitive skin, however, requires continual care, plus occasional intensive home treatments after exposure to extreme environmental conditions. If you have a skin inflammation, dryness, bumps, itching or stinging that doesn't fade after a few days of treatment, consult a dermatologist.
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