Dry Skin Care

Water, Diet, and Supplements for Dry Skin Care

Water

If you don't get enough water, changing that will be the first step in your dry skin care. Dehydration wreaks havoc on all parts of your body. Often, water intake is the first thing people with Problem Skin can change and see a difference. By drinking eight glasses a day, your skin will be plumper, firmer, and more youthful-looking. Bye-bye, flakes!

Diet

Not to sound like your mother here, but eat your veggies! Eat lean proteins. Eat a few healthy carbs. Cut out the sugar. That's good practice for ANY skin. Your body will be getting more of the nutrition it needs and less junk to process. In turn, your skin will be healthier and younger-looking.

Supplements

Multi-vitamins, Fish Oil, and Vitamin E are great for healing dry skin. Some people swear by Flax Seed Oil instead of Fish Oil. The fatty acids found in both of these supplements are beneficial to not only skin, but other body functions as well. A lack of Vitamin E in your diet can directly lead to dry skin.

You'd be surprised by what a few changes can make.

Choosing Skin Care Products

Dry skin care isn't a fine art, but it does take some adjustments. You won't be able to go out and grab all your face and body products at any drugstore anymore. You might have to shop online, which takes planning and timing. Or you could just swing by the health food store.

Facial Washes, Body Washes, and Soaps

• Since facial skin is the most sensitive, it's best to keep facial washes as natural as possible. in fact, natural products are generally the best way to go about dry skin care. Fewer ingredients mean less detergents and other irritants. The last thing your dehydrated facial skin needs is a swarm of chemicals on it every time you cleanse it.
• Natural body washes aren't as necessary. Look for moisturizing products like Suave's Skin Therapy Cocoa & Shea Butter Moisturizing Body Wash for Dry Skin.
• Use harsh deodorant bar soaps regularly only on the "smelly" parts of your body--underarms, feet, and between your legs. The skin on your chest, back, arms, and legs doesn't need harsh soap.

Shampoos and Conditioners

Make sure you're getting the residue off your skin after you rinse your hair in the shower! It can stick around and dry your skin out. It sounds obvious, but some people rinse their hair last and don't make a conscious effort to re-rinse their bodies.

Lotions, Creams, and Oils

Beware of scented products that claim to be moisturizing. Often, they contain loads of alcohol which will dry your skin out--NOT moisturize it. For heavy moisturizing on your body, try Eucerin cream, Aquaphor, or Aveeno Daily Moisturizing Lotion. For your face, try emu or jojoba oils.

For information about essential oils, visit Nature's Gift. One day you may decide to start mixing your own special formula for your skin's needs. This is a great place to start.

I Can't Exfoliate???

Yes, you can. Just do it gently. And don’t do it every day. Give your skin a break. You might be hurting it more than helping it by rubbing so much. Use a soft washcloth with your regular facial wash on it for face to remove flakes. Don't buy into the drugstore exfoliating products--they're too harsh and often make tiny cuts in the surface of your skin. Skip the micro-dermabrasion kits at the drugstore, too. Using those on dry, possibly irritated skin is like playing with fire. You can use a washcloth with your body wash on it for your body. If you feel that's not enough, sprinkle a bit of baking soda into the body wash and make a paste.

Causes of Dry Skin

• Dehydration. Are you getting enough water? Drinking too much coffee?
• Irritants. Everything from laundry detergent to chemicals in your skin care routine can cause dry skin.
• Allergens. Allergies can make your skin feel dry, tight, and itchy. Sometimes the medications you take to combat allergies can dry you out as well.
• Weather. It's no secret that cold, windy winters will make your skin feel like it's ready to crack from dryness. Protect yourself from the elements with a good moisturizer. And, don't forget the chapstick!

While the above list covers the most common causes of dry skin, it might not be one thing that is causing your skin troubles. If you've tried everything you can think of and you're not getting any better after a few weeks, see a dermatologist. You may have a more serious condition than just dry skin. For example, eczema and psoriasis show up similarly to a severe case of dry skin.

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