Dry skin is particularly noticeable during the winter months due to low humidity and cold temperatures. Other contributing factors include overuse of harsh skin care products especially those containing perfumes and preservatives, aging, and yes, your grandparents (genetics).

 

To avoid dry skin try these options:

• Choose gentle cleansers that remove the superficial dirt and excess oil from your skin without stripping away all your natural oils.
• Gently exfoliate the skin with a gritty cleanser or for tougher jobs micro-dermabrasions.
• Apply a moisturizer which contains ingredients that draw moisture to the epidermis such as glycerine, urea and hyaluronic acid. Moisturizers are most effective when applied to the skin while it is damp.
• Apply a sunscreen daily with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 45 or more. Even though the winter sun seems harmless it’s UVA and UVB rays can still damage the skin as well as tending to exacerbate dry skin.

Caution: Applying too much moisturizer to dry skin without proper cleansing may contribute to the development of seborrhoeic dermatitis, an inflammatory condition of the skin resulting in scaly, flaky, itchy, red skin.

Written by Patricia Johnston