Easy and cheap ways to moisturize itchy, dry skin
Dry skin occurs when the skin doesn’t retain enough moisture. This can occur consequently of frequent bathing, use of harsh soaps, aging, or certain medical conditions. And for those living in colder climates, it could actually come from cold, dry winter air.
During the winter months within the Northern Hemisphere, chances are you’ll suffer from red, rough, raw and itchy skin. That's because cold winter air means less humidity, outdoors and indoors. The water within the epidermis (the outermost layer of the skin) reflects the moisture level around it. Fortunately, there are lots of easy and cheap things you may do to alleviate dry winter skin, also often called winter heat or winter xerosis.
Even in the event you live in an element of the world where cold winter air isn't currently—or ever—a priority, most individuals might want to manage dry skin in some unspecified time in the future. These suggestions for keeping skin soft and healthy might help anyone who struggles with dry skin, from cold New England to Hawaii and beyond.
Retain moisture within the skin
Skin moisturizers, which rehydrate the highest layer of skin cells and seal in moisture, are step one in combating dry skin. They have three major kinds of ingredients. Humectants, which help attract moisture, include ceramides (pronounced ser-A-mids), glycerin, sorbitol, hyaluronic acid, and lecithin. Another combination of ingredients — for instance, petroleum (petroleum jelly), silicone, lanolin, and mineral oil — helps seal that moisture into the skin. Emollients, reminiscent of linoleic, linolenic, and lauric acids, smooth the skin by filling the spaces between skin cells.
In general, the thicker and oilier the moisturizer, the more practical it should be. Some of essentially the most effective (and least expensive) are petroleum jelly and moisturizing oils (reminiscent of mineral oil). Because they don't contain water, they're best used when skin continues to be damp from bathing, to seal in moisture. Other moisturizers contain water in addition to oil in various proportions. They are less greasy and should be more cosmetically appealing than petroleum jelly or oil.
What are you able to do about dry skin?
Here are some ways to combat dry skin that could be effective if practiced consistently:
- Use a humidifier in winter. Set it to about 60%, a level that ought to be enough to fill the highest layer of skin.
- Limit yourself to five to 10 minutes of bathing or showering day by day. If you shower greater than this, you may remove many of the skin's oil layer and lose its moisture. Use lukewarm water as an alternative of hot water, which may wash away natural oils.
- Minimize using soap. If crucial, go for moisturizing preparations like Dove, Olay, and Basis, or consider soap-free cleansers like Cetaphil, Oilatum-AD, and Aquanil. Avoid deodorant soaps, scented soaps, and alcohol-based products, which may strip away natural oils.
- To avoid damaging the skin, keep away from bath sponges, scrub brushes and washcloths. If you don't need to abandon them completely, you’ll want to use a light-weight touch. For this reason, pat or blot (rub) the skin while towel drying.
- Apply moisturizer immediately after showering or washing hands. It helps plug the spaces between your skin cells and seal in moisture while your skin continues to be moist.
- Rub a small amount of petroleum jelly and thick creams into your hands to cut back greasiness after which rub it on the affected areas until your hands or affected areas feel greasy.
- Never, ever scratch. Most of the time, a moisturizer can control the itching. You can even use cold packs or compresses to alleviate itchy spots.
- Use fragrance-free laundry detergent and avoid fabric softeners.
- Avoid wearing wool and other clothing that irritates your skin.
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