Typically, dry skin is caused by several things external and internal, and while the internal factors such as overall health are more to blame, they are also much easier to solve.
Skin genetically prone to acne because of family medical history or the presence of asthma, atopic dermatitis and allergies is also prone to dryness. Thyroid patients have a much higher tendency of developing acne than a normal individual, because it is induced by pH imbalance in skin.
Another symptom of dry skin is itching which typically takes the form of red, rough, flaky patches on the skin followed by mild to strong inflammation. Itching usually occurs on the arms, hands, lower legs, abdomen and other areas that are prone to chaffing, including ankles and soles. The condition may also worsen to form cracks and fissures in the skin.
Dry skin can also be an aftermath of your dietary intake and internal problems so it can occur due to strong medicines such as medication for blood pressure, cholesterol, and sugar.
External factors such as low humidity and cold temperatures also cause dry skin and so does reduced humidity in the air caused by central heating. Using harsh soaps or over-washing the skin leads to dryness and rips away the essential oils. Excessive use of sanitizers and alcohol-based cleaning agents such as skin cleansers and toners also leads to dryness of skin. All the cosmetic cleaners that evaporate fast are alcohol based and should be used in low to moderate quantities.
Some Treatments That Work
While using harsh soaps or over-washing the skin can lead to dryness and removal of essential oils, healthy sebum and fatty acids, a bath can also be the best and most significant time for moisture absorption, moisture retention, skin healing and skin treatment. Be sure to keep your skin healthy and even toned with cold showers rather than hot steaming baths.
Baking soda is the best reliever of itchy skin and can be used as a soaking solution while you are taking a bath. Add one cup of baking soda to your bath water and soak for 30 minutes. An oatmeal bath contains fiber, vitamin E and omega-3 fatty acids to help revitalize your dry skin. Use can also use oatmeal as a soap replacement for your hands. Use a 100% pure botanical moisturizer for your face and body that feeds your skin cells what they need to stay moisturized and vibrant.
Dry skin can also become worse if the moisturizer used is either not applied properly or is not the perfect type for your skin. Using a conditioner designed for oily skin on dry skin can lead to excessive dryness as well because the conditioner was designed to keep skin dry and not oily. When you apply moisturizer on dry skin, chemicals in the moisturizer absorb in their skin, leaving it dry but with an oily, sticky outer layer so be sure to use a moisturizer on damp skin.
Take extra care of your hands because they are washed more times than your body and lose more moisture as well as fatty acids than the rest of your skin. Moisturize them much more often, wash and dry them completely, and then apply a layer of vinegar and leave it on overnight. Remember that with a little care your dry skin problems are manageable.
Looking for 100% chemical-free, all-natural nourishing face and body oils? Check out Earth & Elm Nourishing Face Oil and Earth & Elm Nourishing Body Oil. Subscribe to our Trusted Health Club newsletter for more information about natural living tips, natural health, oral health and skincare. If you are looking for more health resources make sure to check out the Trusted Health Resources list.
Reviewed By:
Founder Ray Spotts has a passion for all things natural and has made a life study of nature as it relates to health and well-being. Ray became a forerunner bringing products to market that are extraordinarily effective and free from potentially harmful chemicals and additives. For this reason Ray formed Trusted Health Products, a company you can trust for clean, effective, and healthy products. Ray is an organic gardener, likes fishing, hiking, and teaching and mentoring people to start new businesses. You can get his book for free, “How To Succeed In Business Based On God’s Word,” at www.rayspotts.com.