Dry skin care at home really does work, according to dermatologists, but you must read cosmetic product ingredients to make effective choices. The American Academy of Dermatologists (AAD) suggests those skin care products without fragrances or formaldehyde, to which many people are allergic. Sticking to a few basic skin care products that work and following a regular daily routine are the keys to treating dry, sensitive skin on the face and body.
Types
Dryness can be brought on suddenly or over time due to skin exposure to extreme environments, allergens and irritants. The inflammation resulting from sunburn, windburn or contact dermatitis causes skin to dry rapidly. Dry skin conditions may instead be brought on by forms of eczema with intrinsic rather than extrinsic causes. Chronic atopic dermatitis, for instance, affects many genetically predisposed children under age 2. A dry skin care regimen that addresses all these disparate causes and individual needs, then, must be safe enough for very sensitive skin.
Features
Constantly exposed facial skin is the most likely to dry, but dry skin care can be performed on any area of the body using the same routine. The AAD suggests cleansing and moisturizing dry skin twice per day with gentle, fragrance-free cosmetic products. This method is scientifically proven to reduce symptoms of atopic dermatitis temporarily. Those with extremely dry, sensitive skin can moisturize more frequently. Avoiding the original source or trigger for dry skin is a must as well, while skin is healing.
Products
A gentle glycerin or plant oil soap without any perfume or antibacterial agents will help normalize the skin's moisture levels. Moisturizing creams or lotions should be formulated to skin type. These cosmetic products should contain ingredients recognized for barrier repair, such as mineral oil, glycerin, petrolatum, dimethicone, ceramides or linoleic acid. Exfoliating scrubs should be used only after dry skin heals or on a doctor's advice.
Methods
Fingertips lathered with soap should be used to cleanse dry facial or sensitive skin areas. Washcloths can cause abrasion and so can towels. Skin should be patted dry, not rubbed, with a clean, soft towel. Moisturizing lotion should be patted onto your skin, too, rather than rubbed into it. Moisturizer can also be applied as environmental protection before going outside in cold weather or entering a dusty environment.
Effects
Daily cleansing removes debris and irritants trapped in pores or on the skin surface and encourages new cell growth. Applying moisturizer while skin is still damp from cleansing binds water to the lotion, sealing it into the area that most needs hydration. According to the experts at the Mayo Clinic, diligent dry skin care clears up most symptoms within two to four weeks. People suffering from chronic conditions, however, may experience future flare-ups.
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