Do You Have Dry Skin?


Why Does Skin Become Dry?
The horny layer is water-resistant, but not waterproof. We are constantly losing water through our skin, as water from body cells slowly migrates to the surface and evaporates. On an average, we lose about a pint of water daily this way. (This is in addition to the water we lose through perspiration from sweat glands.)
But certain factors can increase the rate at which your skin loses water. If you live in a dry climate, for example, you'll probably experience dry skin because arid air speeds up the evaporation process. Most of us get drier skin during the winter, too, regardless of where we live, because artificially heated air is dry.
Another factor is age. As we get older, the horny layer loses some of its ability to hold water in. Not surprisingly, many of my older patients complain of dry skin.
Pampering Dry Skin
How can you counteract the drying process? Certainly, a mild cleanser and effective moisturizer are important. in a coming post we will tell you how to choose the Right Toner and Moisturizer, discusses what to look for in a good moisturizer.
In addition, try these tips:
When it comes to dry skin, cleanliness isn't always next to godliness. Baths and showers strip away skin's natural oils and dry your skin out more. Limit them to every second or third day, if possible. (If you're afraid you won't stay clean, try spot-washing just the areas that need it, like armpits, genitals, and feet, rather than immersing your entire body.)
When you do bathe or shower, make it quick. The longer your skin is immersed in water, the more it will dry out.
Keep your water tepid rather than hot. Hot water leaches more oil from your skin.
Bath oils won't do much to combat dryness. Soaking in warm water takes out more of the natural oils and water from your skin than the added oils can keep in.
After bathing, blot your skin with a towel till you're damp but no longer dripping. Then quickly pat moisturizer on your face and body to seal in the moisture.
If your home has forced-air heat, consider a humidifier. Just be sure to clean it regularly to avoid problems with mold and bacteria. If you live in a fairly humid climate, simply opening a window a crack will increase moisture in dry heated rooms.

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