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Dry skin can become an enormous burden for many, especially when the weather turns cold and windy. Unfortunately though, dry skin isn’t just a problem in the winter - it can be bothersome throughout the year. There are many factors that can affect dry skin - nutrition and skin care are just two of them. Genetics, environment, bathing too often, and even other underlying health conditions can all lead to dry skin.
Other symptoms that oftentimes accompany dry skin are itching, redness, and in more extreme cases, even cracking or bleeding. In some individuals, dry skin is actually a sign of another common disorder - eczema. Eczema may signal an underlying food allergy or other health concern that you should speak about with your doctor.
Dry skin is most often noticed on the hands and face, as these are the two regions of the body usually exposed to the elements and the two body parts that we most often see. However, dry skin can often be seen and felt on the stomach, back, shoulders, thighs, and calves. Basically, dry skin can strike anywhere! If left unattended, dry skin can lead to premature wrinkling and the appearance of fine lines.
Battling the Dryness with Food and Water
Nutrition and hydration are two of the top lifestyle steps you can take to decrease your dry skin this year. Drinking 6-8 eight-ounce glasses of water daily will help to keep your skin more moist and less shriveled and dehydrated. Additionally, adding in an omega-3 fatty acid supplement or simply increasing consumption of omega-3 fatty acid foods in your diet may also help to lower your propensity to dry skin. Omega-3 fatty acid foods include flax seeds, walnuts, salmon and other cold water fish, some soy foods and many vegetables.
Shower Power
If you find that you are especially dry after using particular soaps or bath gels, then consider either showering less often (showers tend to strip the skin of much needed moisturizing oils) or changing your soap to an all-natural form with as few preservatives, colorants and perfumes as possible.
Not All Skin Moisturizers are Created Equal
Next, dry skin MUST be moisturized, moisturized and then moisturized some more!
If you are in the market for skin care products that will banish your dry skin for good, consider this information. The skin on your face is much more sensitive than is the skin of your legs and arms. Thus, you should always use two separate moisturizers - one for the face and one for the body. If you would like to make your moisturizing routine even more specific, you can choose to have a separate body moisturizer and hand moisturizer. Below you will find some excellent sources from each of these three categories that are specifically formulated to nourish and hydrate for beautiful, touchable, velvety skin.
Body Moisturizers
La Roche-Posay Lipikar Body Emollient was made with dry skin in mind. It’s perfect to use on dry, sensitive skin and over time not only moisturizes the body wonderfully but will also replenish the very important hydrolipidic barrier of the skin. The hydrolipidic barrier works to keep the natural oils on the skin where they belong and environmental assaults away. You’ll love the feel of this moisturizing cream as it glides across your body.
For those wishing for a completely natural product to moisturize their dry skin, there is Vanicream Skin Cream Pump by Pharmaceutical Specialties. This soothing cream contains no perfumes, dyes or hidden chemicals; it is non-comedogenic and will quickly be absorbed by your dry skin to moisturize to the very deepest layers of the dermis.
Hand Moisturizers
Most often the hands need a moisturizer that is more powerful than the average body moisturizer. For this reason Allerderm came out with its Lubrex Hand Cream. Made with sunflower seeds that nourish dry and cracked skin, this cream is a must for anyone who suffers from severe dryness of hands.
Facial Moisturizers
Body and hand moisturizers are much too heavy for the thin, sensitive skin of the face. Using these weighty creams on the face will cause the facial skin to drag, droop and otherwise look prematurely aged and wrinkled. Choose a facial moisturizer that is aimed at relieving dry skin as well as enhancing overall health and vitality. Dermalogica Intensive Moisture Balance is an ultra-rich moisturizer designed to combat dry skin on the face. It will immediately bring relief to dehydrated skin and its rich combination of antioxidants and phytonutrients will work to prevent fine lines and wrinkles.
Article posted 10/19/2006.
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